Types of the Enneagram as Teens: The Essentials

Exploring Enneagrams as teens can bring much-needed clarity to the typical adolescent quest for identity and help teenagers grapple with all the emotional and social challenges they experience.

In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of personality development in teenagers and analyze how each Enneagram type changes in adolescence.

Let’s dive headfirst into this complex topic!

What Is the Enneagram, and How Does It Work?

Enneagram is a personality theory that draws on ancient wisdom, contemporary psychology, and philosophy, blending all the knowledge into a unique personality classification system. It divides people into nine personality types based on their core fears, desires, strengths, weaknesses, and core motivations.

The central concepts in the Enneagram theory are:

• Enneagram wings, which explain how each type comes in two Enneagram subtypes
• Enneagram arrows, which describe how each type changes while going through different developmental phases
• Enneagram motivations, which provide insight into how each type builds their life strategy and what drives their behavior
• Enneagram instincts, which explain how each type has three possible variations depending on their dominant instinct

These central concepts provide plenty of variety and flexibility within the nine personality types.

In addition, many people who wonder, ‘Can Enneagram change with age?’ actually don’t understand these core Enneagram concepts. In fact, they are likely to believe that their type has changed when they are actually just going through a specific developmental phase, as indicated by Enneagram arrows.

So, taking an Enneagram test and determining your Enneagram type gives you a well-rounded overview of the most important aspects of your personality. It also helps you map your talents and release your full potential.

The Importance of Personality Development in Teenagers

The importance of personality development in teenagers is reflected in the possibility of correcting or compensating the experiences that haven’t been processed adequately in the earlier developmental stages.

Adolescence is a period of intense changes and growth, both in a physiological and psychological sense. Specific brain structures mature, followed by hormonal changes, and the adolescent's psyche has the challenging task of balancing all these different forces.

As much as it is challenging, adolescence is also a very fruitful time, as all the developmental challenges from early childhood become relevant again, but in different forms. It brings all the emotional turmoil to the surface, allowing both the adolescent and their parents to resolve previously unaddressed issues.

The value of Enneagram in this process is that it can help recognize the specific core fears and desires that drive the adolescent’s behaviors. Having both the parent and the teen take an Enneagram test and determine their types can help improve their communication and pave the path to better understanding and relationships.

Enneagram Types as Teens

Enneagrams as teens reflect all the core traits of their type but in less typical ways. That’s because adolescence brings out the best and the worst in each personality type as they develop and mature.

So, let’s see how Enneagram types as teenagers change and how those changes reflect in their behavior:

Enneagram Type 1 - Teen Perfectionist

In adolescence, Type One isn’t as concerned about the image they give off to their peers as they are concerned with how their parents, teachers, and other authority figures perceive them. Their core belief that they can only earn love by being perfect ethically and morally makes them very focused on their duties.

As a result, Ones are usually high achievers who experience a lot of stress each time they make the slightest mistake regarding their grades and performance. Though they are reliable and don’t typically suffer from social anxiety, they may struggle with making friends, as they tend to come off as judgmental.

Their judgmental tendencies intensify when they don’t get the approval they need within their family. Moreover, their criticism is often their way of rebelling against the neglect and lack of affection they experience.

Enneagram Type 2 - Teen Loyalist

The need for external approval typically intensifies in adolescence, and it isn’t so focused on authority figures when it comes to Enneagram Type Two. Twos crave the approval of everyone they come in contact with, regardless of how important they really are in their lives.

While they act as social glue in their friendship circles, Twos struggle to define their identity as they try to please everyone. This may make them feel lonely regardless of how many friends they have because they rarely express their authentic needs in friendships.

Another important behavior they often show in adolescence revolves around their need for romance, reflecting their core need for love and approval. Twos are among the first in their peer groups to develop crushes and become infatuated with fantasies about romantic connections.

Enneagram Type 3 - The Achiever

Threes’ adolescence is characterized by the struggle between the need to be authentic and the need to be recognized. They find it hard to balance these two needs, failing to understand that they can be recognized for who they truly are without having to prove their worth through achievements.

In general, Threes adapt quickly to the high school environment and tend to assume highly valued positions in the social hierarchy. They are usually the head cheerleader, the most popular jock, or the classroom star who somehow manages to shine in everything they do.

Nevertheless, they are prone to feeling depressed and suffer from an inferiority complex whenever they fail to be number one in anything. Their need for success may become obsessive, leading them to commit unethical acts to protect their image of the winner.

Enneagram Type 4 - The Individualist

The Individualist is the emo kid who always stands out in any group; sensitive, fragile, and introspective Fours experience plenty of turbulence during their adolescence.

They tend to create an aura of mystery around them and can be pretty rebellious while deeply immersed in the quest for their identity. Moreover, they may be spiteful toward even the most basic rules, as they refuse to accept any boundaries while exploring their own.

Their social image may oscillate from being the extraordinary artist who fascinates their peers to being a misunderstood outcast rejected by others. It is important for Fours to have a stable, adult person close to them to rely on, as their teen years are usually very challenging for them and everyone around them.

Enneagram Type 5 - The Investigator

The Type 5 Enneagram as a teen is a withdrawn, quiet class genius who excels in academic environments and usually shows incredible talent in some specific subject. They are rarely openly rebellious, but their teenage spirit may be expressed through the need to pose tough questions to their teachers and parents.

Hidden behind a pile of books and the thick lenses of their glasses, Type Five teens struggle to connect with their peers but deny the loneliness they feel. They are the type who will refuse to go to the school ball, mocking its concept. In fact, they avoid social gatherings as they feel inadequate and experience the typical adolescent social anxiety.

In general, they are smart and independent and often a complete enigma to their family. Therefore, their parents need to be very observant so as not to fail to notice the signs of their teen struggling.

Enneagram Type 6 - The Loyalist

Type 6 Enneagram as a teen is very similar to Type One Enneagram as a teen. Diligent, anxious, and conscious, Type Six is the class nerd who’s always more than ready for any test but is still the most nervous student in the classroom despite their readiness.

However, unlike Ones, who value the approval of authority figures more than of their peers, Sixes crave to belong and, therefore, are way more adaptable and friendly. They long for meaningful, honest friendships and are very kind and soft with others. However, the more egocentric types may easily exploit their compassion, feeding Sixes’ core trust issues.

Depending on the kind of experiences they go through, Sixes can also be extremely rebellious. This rebelliousness is often expressed through passive-aggressive, provocative comments, refined criticism, and sometimes even a direct confrontation with authority figures.

Enneagram Type 7 - The Enthusiast

Sevens also fall into the category of Enneagram teens who can be very rebellious. Adolescence is the period in which they try to abolish all the boundaries put upon them, despising everything reasonable and practical.

Determined to prove that life is just a vast playground and that having fun is the most important thing, they engage in many adventures. Moreover, they are highly susceptible to trying all kinds of alcohol, illegal substances, and activities that can be very dangerous for them.

So, needless to say, being a parent of a Type Seven teen is a rather demanding role that requires plenty of tact, consistency, and firmness.

Nevertheless, it is not impossible for the smart and witty Sevens to go through their teen years without major turbulence. They just need lots of guidance and support from wiser adults to avoid the common pitfalls of teen rebellion.

Enneagram Type 8 - The Challenger

Eights are either at the top of the social ladder within their circles or the underdogs and rebels without a (proper) cause. Actually, they can often be both at the same time, as they tend to create an elite group of chosen ones and act as their leader, intimidating others and being rejected as a result.

On the other hand, Eights know what they want early on and often excel in academic settings, relentlessly pursuing their ultimate goals. They are usually particularly good at sports, debate, and organization, and teachers like taking them under their wing as they often see something special in them.

In addition, Eights can also be extremely rebellious, and considering how easily they decide to break the rules and how aggressive they can be, it is very important for their parents to keep them away from undesired influences.

Enneagram Type 9 - The Peacemaker

Nines are the least rebellious as Enneagram teens, and their core need revolves around belonging and being a part of the community. As a result, as teens, they tend to struggle with understanding their identity, experiencing the typical adolescent identity crisis as they intuitively do everything in their power to blend in.

Therefore, while they easily fit in different environments, they experience a lot of confusion about their authentic needs since they ignore and neglect them. They also experience many difficulties when it comes to asserting their opinions and generally play the role of the quiet, nice kid who goes with the flow.

But, since they have no sense of personal boundaries, Type 9 Enneagram as a teen may be a bit too adaptable, unable to separate the good from the bad influences. Therefore, it is important for them to have a parental figure who is mature enough to recognize when they need guidance, protection, and support.

How Can Teens Use Enneagram as a Tool for Growth?

The Enneagram can be used as a tool for personality development for teens to help them recognize and navigate the developmental stages they are going through. Moreover, they can use it on an everyday level to improve their communication skills and take advantage of their strengths more effectively.

Here are a few practical suggestions for using Enneagram.

#1. Goal Setting and Academic Success

Since Enneagram provides a complete overview of personality types through all their phases, simply by knowing your type, you get plenty of actionable insights. For example, Enneagram can help you identify your learning style and the type of motivation you need to excel.

Moreover, it can help you map the areas where you can achieve success quickly and those in which you should ask for support. By allowing you to map your strengths and weaknesses, Enneagram helps you tap into your potential and find the most effective path to your goals.

#2. Career Exploration

Though, in general, every Enneagram type can choose to pursue any career they like, using Enneagram as a professional orientation tool can bring many useful insights. By exploring your type, you’ll understand better why you’re drawn to certain careers and what you need to be successful in them.

In addition, Enneagram can give you plenty of ideas for career choices that you might not have yet thought of. Adolescence is the perfect time to explore your possibilities.

Caution for Using Enneagram with Teens

It is necessary to remain cautious when using Enneagram with teens. Adolescence is a very complex period, and this article provides just an interpretation of the possible behavioral changes that personality types may or may not experience.

There’s the risk of labeling with every personality assessment tool, and Enneagram is no exception. However, unlike many other personality theories, Enneagram is very flexible. It should be perceived as an inspiration for self-development, not as a final verdict of someone’s potential or character.

Explore the Depths of Your Personality!

Take our Enneagram test to determine your type and tap into your maximum potential!

Key Takeaways

While our descriptions of Enneagram as teens may seem too predetermined, it is important to understand that we just wanted to sketch the possible pathways of Enneagram teenagers.

Bearing that in mind, let’s focus on the highlights of this article:

• Ones, Fives, and Sixes are easily disciplined, and their adolescent struggles don’t significantly affect their academic performance.
• Fours, Sevens, and Eights tend to be the most rebellious teenagers and require agile parenting.
• Twos, Threes, and Nines depend a lot on environmental influences as they crave external approval and long to blend in.