This article examines the explanations behind these questions: (1) Why do American teenagers behave the way they do?; (2) Why are many obsessed with the brands of clothes they wear, their lunchtime seatmates, the parties they are invited to, the latest popular music, the intrigues of school cliques, and who is hooking up with whom?; (3) Why do students in some schools rigidly segregate themselves by race and ethnicity and yet get along amicably?; (4) What causes castelike divisions?; and (5) Why are teenagers often mean and even cruel to one another? Studies reveal that answers to these questions has relatively little to do with family values, liberalism, progressive education, or what teachers do or don't do. Rather, teenager behavior is difficult because adults, especially parents and businesses, benefit from the present ways of organizing young people's lives. This article examines how peer status, consumerism; and educational reform influence teenage behavior.