If you're tall you do this without jumping to assert dominance

"teenage"

How do you do, fellow kids?

Not just teenagers.

I'm so fucking tires of these stereotypes based on nothing at all. I'm 40 years old and haven't stopped jumping to touch that shit.

Boys grow about a foot taller between 10 and 16, and most people's arm span is about the same as their height, so the overall increased reach is significant. I was taller than average after a huge growth spurt, and I remember realizing how many things I could jump up to touch that weren't in the realm of possibility before that. You better believe I was jumping up and touching stuff.

It's not just teenagers who like it.

It's just that adults tend to refrain from actually doing it.

I have several friends who are trans men who have reported to me that the urge started after they started testosterone. It always makes me smile :)

Is this like always having to clack tongs a couple of times every time you pick them up?

There was a metal street sign by my high school that was bent from so many people doing this.

the only thing stopping grown men from doing it is our knees not handling jumps the way they used to :(

im a fan of the head bump, where you jerk your head back at the same time you slap it and people think you hit your head. so funny

The behavior doesn't stop but it does start with the crazy growth spurt in height that is pretty unique to teenage boys (AMAB). Suddenly things that were way out of reach become reachable, like in the course of 6 months.

I've taught math at every grade level (elementary, middle school, high school, college) and can confirm this is indeed a universal truth.

The pull cord to the attic hatch in the hallway ceiling. Who else is with me? When I could reach that without jumping, I knew that day that I was a man (I was twelve).

I took so much of the popcorn off the ceiling my mom got upset.

Kinda surprised by all the joint pain ITT, especially knees. Age alone doesn’t do this.

Knees are remarkably hard-wearing joints, capable of continued high mileage well into old age. I hope y’all are using those knees so you can keep using them for many years to come!

As a short guy, this was not something I got to take part in a lot of the time and now that my ankle is fucked I'm not even going to chance jumping or running anymore.

I've always considered more of a "can I jump high enough to reach that? I bet I can reach that." The tapping just adds to the satisfaction of a success.