What are some issues faced by teenagers in The Outsiders?

The Curtis brothers, as well as their greaser friends and Soc adversaries, face many of the problems that teenagers face today. Three of the major themes discussed in The Outsiders--those of class conflict, search for self and loyalty--are still pertinent in the 21st century. The boys have adopted their "greaser" monikers proudly when many would consider it a derogatory term. Because of their lower class status, their greasy hair and leather jackets are all they have of which to be proud. The boys all have dreams of bettering themselves, but they seem relegated to the fact that "Socs will always be Socs and greasers will always be greasers." Socs and greasers alike also face the questions of loyalty. They must decide who and what is more important--their friends, parents or moral obligations--when conflicts between them occur. Other problems the teens face are family issues such as violence (Johnny Cade), death (the Curtis brothers), and detachment (many of the Socs).

I think that two of the most evident issues seen in Hinton's work lies in the domain of belonging to a group and how to deal with a reality where unfairness is present.  Both topics seem to occupy a great deal of importance in the perception frame of the adolescent, and Hinton hits on both in strong fashion.  The Greasers and Socs strive for social dominance.  Yet, the former will always be seen as second class, for they lack the material wealth and status of the first group.  This causes them to look to one another for belonging and for identity because they are not experiencing much of this from the social setting in general, and from their own settings.  This is a strong adolescent theme because there is a belief in adolescence that one's peer group has a better understanding of the individual than anyone else.  One identifies with their peer group for this reason.  Another issue present is how Hinton has her characters deal with the condition of what is and what should be.  When writing the book, Hinton asked of previous literature about adolescent life, "Where is the cruel social setting?"  She brought it out in her novel.  Her work is one where there is class conflict, discrimination based on one's condition in life and a lack of understanding about the nature of individuals.  Having her young characters seek to find their way through this jungle is what makes her work so powerful to adolescent literature, often striving to make right what is wrong or seeking to bring attention to how what is might actually be wrong.

The adolescents in both gangs are dealing with the way thy are perceived by the rest of the world and their true identities. We are told that the greasers are hoods who-

 steal things and drive old souped-up cars and hold up gas stations and have a gang fight once in a while.

 And yet in the course of the novel we learn that they are so much more than this. They are fiercely loyal and protective of each other. Darry works so hard to give Ponyboy the opportunities to succeed at school, which he was denied. Dallas Winston is lost without Johnny to protect and nurture. Ponyboy strives to create his own identity. He wants to be popular like Soda but respected like Darry and Dally. It is when he takes on his own personality and his own initiative in saving the children from the fire that he finally becomes ‘somebody’: ironically the other gang members had seen his potential from the start-

 Y'all were heroes from the beginning.

What problems exist in "The Outsiders" and why?

Ponyboy, the protagonist of the story, has several problems. He argues with his older brother, Darry, in part because Darry is responsible for raising him and his middle brother, Sodapop, after the death of their parents in a car accident. In addition, Ponyboy, his brothers, and the other members of the Greasers fight with members of the rival gang, the Socs. Johnny, one of the Greasers, kills Bob, a Soc, when Bob is threatening him. After the murder, Johnny and Ponyboy run away from home and hide out in a church. They encounter additional problems when the church where they are hiding catches on fire, and Johnny is badly wounded when trying to rescue children in the church.

These problems have several causes. Some of Ponyboy's problems arise from his parents' death, as his older brother, Darry, is forced into taking responsibility for him and working at a job he doesn't particularly like to provide for himself and his brothers. The Greasers' friction with the Socs is caused in part by the economic differences between them and by the prejudicial feelings that the members of each group have towards members of the opposite group. If the members of the groups were more open minded, this friction would be reduced.