To some observers, teens today may seem spoiled (undisciplined and egocentric) compared to those of earlier times. The reality, however, is different. While poverty has decreased and political turmoil has lessened, young people are still under many types of stress. Peer pressure, changing family conditions, mobility of families and unemployment are just a few reasons why some young people may try to escape reality by turning to alcohol or drugs. However, most young people in the United States do not have problems with drinking, drug abuse, teen pregnancies or juvenile delinquency. Drug use (marijuana and cocaine are the most commonly used drugs) has decreased among young people in the United States within the last 10 years, though alcohol abuse has increased.
According to a 1991 government survey, about 8 million teenagers are weekly users of alcohol, including more than 450,000 who consume an average of 15 drinks a week. And, although all 50 states prohibit the sale of alcohol to anyone under 21, some 6.9 million teenagers, including some as young as 13, reported no problems in obtaining alcohol using false identification cards. Although many teenagers say they never drive after drinking, one-third of the students surveyed admitted they they has accepted rides from friends who had been drinking.
Many young Americans are joining organizations to help teenagers stop drinking and driving. Thousands of teenagers have joined Students Against Driving Drunk (SADD). They sign contracts in which they and their parents pledge not to drive after drinking. In some schools, students have joined anti-drug programs. Young people with drug problems can also call special telephone numbers to ask for help.
Aside from drug abuse, another problem of America's youths is pregnancy among young women. One million teenagers become pregnant each year. Why are the statistics so high? The post-World War II baby boom resulted in a 43 percent increase in the number of teenagers in the 1960s and 1970s. The numbers of sexually active teens also increased. And some commentators believe that regulations for obtaining federal welfare assistance unintentionally encourage teenage pregnancies.
Many community programs help cut down on the numbers of teenage pregnancies. Some programs rely on strong counseling against premarital sex and others provide contraceptive counseling. The "Teen Health Project" in New York City has led to a decline of 13.5 percent in the rate of teenage pregnancies since 1976. Why? Their program offers health care, contraceptive counseling, sports programs, job referrals and substance abuse programs.
About one million young people run away from home each year. Most return after a few days or a few weeks, but a few turn to crime and become juvenile delinquents. In 1989, approximately one-third of those arrested for serious crimes were under 18 years of age. Why are young people committing crimes? Among the causes are poor family relationships (often the children were abused or neglected while growing up), bad neighborhood conditions, peer pressure and sometimes, drug addiction.
Laws vary from state to state regarding juvenile delinquents. Once arrested, a juvenile must appear in a juvenile court. Juvenile courts often give lighter punishments to young people than to adults who commit the same crime. Juvenile courts hope to reform or rehabilitate the juvenile delinquent.
New programs to help troubled youths are created every year. For example, the city of New York and the Rheedlen Foundation provide an after-school program at a junior high school to help keep teens from becoming juvenile delinquents. Young people can go 4 after school and talk with peer counselors (people their own age), receive academic tutoring or take part in athletic and social activities. One New York community's library offers weekday evening workshops in dance, art, music and theater. They also sponsor social events, such as theater productions, in which young people can participate. Another group, the "Youth Rescue Fund" has a celebrity peer council of 15 teenage actors and actresses who volunteer their time to increase teen crisis awareness. As one young television actress said: "Teenagers are an important resource in improving the quality of life for all people."
Другие работы по теме:
Проблемы молодежи (Young people’s problems)
Young people’s problems. Everybody says your youth is probably the best time of young life, that being young means romance, love, new discoveries & so on. But it is also the most difficult time because you have to make some very important decisions, which will influence all your future life.
Advice To The President Essay Research Paper
Advice to the President Mr. President, the moral decline in our country has plummeted since you have been in office. I would like to think that you had no part in this, but I believe that you play a very large role in this issue. First of all, you legalized third-term abortions. You tell us not to kill in the streets, but yet you will stab an infant in the neck without him being able to defend for himself.
A Day
’s Time Essay, Research Paper Centuries apart Robert Herrick and Robert Frost wrote poems illustrating the brevity of life. To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time by Herrick and Nothing Gold Can Stay by Frost are the two poems which address the limited time humanity, especially the time of youth, has to spend in this life.
It Was Vital That Romeo And Juliet
Were Young Lovers Essay, Research Paper Romeo and Juliet is a very famous tale of two young lovers who encounter tragedy from their love. Their enemy familes would have condemned their marriage, yet their feelinds for each other were so strong that they still for married, even if it meant they had to do so in secret.
Youth And Adulthood Essay Research Paper A
Youth And Adulthood Essay, Research Paper A strong relationship has been established between negative events and circumstances during childhood and the development of drug use and drug-related problems in adolescence and young adulthood. Individuals who report parental strife or separation as a child, physical and sexual abuse, parental drug abuse and depression, frequent family geographic relocation, and failure in school, also tend to report a high rate of experimentation with drugs, abusive consumption, and a range of psychological problems associated with heavy drug use.
The Slaughterhouse Five Essay Research Paper
Centuries apart Robert Herrick and Robert Frost wrote poems illustrating the brevity of life. "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time" by Herrick and "Nothing Gold Can Stay" by Frost are the two poems which address the limited time humanity, especially the time of youth, has to spend in this life.
Preparing Our Youth To Prevention Essay Research
Paper The period of the life cycle known as youth is a very special one. In this period they are growing and developing into their adult roles. This is also is a time where they deal with trouble and uncertainty, which some very special and menacing problems can arise. Youth today are being perceived as to having their own culture.
Characters And Symbolisms In A Clean WellLighted
Place Essay, Research Paper Characters and Symbolisms in “A Clean, Well-Lighted Place” Ernest Hemingway’s Short story “A Clean Well-Lighted Place” is about two cafe waiters analyzing an old man’s behavior. Moreover, one of the waiters identifies himself with the old man. The theme depicts the elderly’s mentality that youth means confidence and a life without loneliness.
Teens And Problems Essay Research Paper Teens
Teens And Problems Essay, Research Paper Teens and Problems Teens must deal with a wide variety of problems which can be difficult and stressful. These problems can range from peer pressure to dealing with
Wife Of His Youth Essay Research Paper
The Wife of His Youth People often make the categories of race, class, gender, sexuality, age, physical condition, etc., contend for the title of most oppressed. Within ?race,? various populations groups then compete for that top spot. Through the book, The Wife of His Youth, by Charles Wadell Chesnutt one can learn that racism existed within the ?race,? colored mattered, and that racism evolves throughout the racial history.
Adult Assumptions On Teenagers Essay Research Paper
Adults Assumptions On Tennagers Everyone knows that throughout life, assumptions and stereotypes are made. Whether they concern age, gender, race, class and so on, it does not matter. Stereotypes are always made in some form or another, some can be referring to positive aspects, while others can be bad.
An Unbalanced Equation Essay Research Paper An
An Unbalanced Equation Essay, Research Paper An Unbalanced Equation I think the number one cause of youth association of drugs is the un-involvement of the parents. All major causes of youth drug abuse can be prevented if the parents had more impact and/or were more involved in their children?s lives. Here are my personal, significant reasons of youth drug abuse:
I Know Why The Cage Bird Sings
Essay, Research Paper I Know Why the Cage Bird Sings, a 1979 movie directed by Fielder Cook, is a renowned autobiographical account of Maya Angelou?s youth. Based on Maya Angelou?s best selling novel, this film takes place during the Great Depression. The story takes place in a bigoted, vicious town in Stamps, Arkansas where Maya and her brother, Bailey, grow up with their grandmother and uncle.
Juvenile Crime Essay Research Paper In today
Juvenile Crime Essay, Research Paper In today’s changing world there are many factors that affect the Delinquency of our youth. Crime has become a major pastime for a large amount of today’s youth. Some
Values Essay Research Paper What are values
Values Essay, Research Paper What are values? Values are a set of beliefs, ideas, and morals. Honesty, respect towards others, and learning to solve problems without resorting to violence are examples of values. Values helps a person determine what is right from what is wrong. Values help to build a person’s character and personality.
Young Offenders Act Essay Research Paper The
Young Offenders Act Essay, Research Paper The Young Offenders Act This essay was written to show the advantages and disadvantages of the Young Offenders Act over the previous Juvenile
Hitler Youth Movement Essay Research Paper I
Hitler Youth Movement Essay, Research Paper I thought the most interesting aspect of the Hitler Youth movement was the beginning of it all, when the numbers were small to when the organization held a lot of power. The years 1933-1938 were the most influential of the youth movement. These years determined what the organization would become and how much power they would hold.
Youth
– Then & Now Essay, Research Paper Youth : Then & Now The spirit of youth has changed dramatically since the days of Joseph Conrad and his story, “Youth.” Conrad strongly emphasises the
No Easy Task Essay Research Paper The
No Easy Task Essay, Research Paper The well being of a nation begins with the development of its younger generation. They are the ones that will assume the task of running and maintaining the well being of this nation in the future. Unfortunately the task of to lead these youths in the right direction is no easy task.
Prop 21 Essay Research Paper Prop 21Education
Prop 21 Essay, Research Paper Prop 21 Education is the best part of life. Education can evolve you into a better person. Education can prevent you from committing crimes and will lead you to a prosperous life. Proposition 21; The Gang Violence and Juvenile Crime Prevention Act aims to incarcerate disturbed youth rather then educate them.
Youth Violence Essay Research Paper Violence is
Youth Violence Essay, Research Paper Violence is a learned behavior. Children often experience violence for the first time in their lives in their homes or in the community. This first taste of violence may include their parents, family members or their friends. Studies have shown that children who witness violent acts, either as a victim or as a victimizer, are more likely to grow up to become involved in violence.
Youth Violence Essay Research Paper Youth violence
Youth Violence Essay, Research Paper Youth violence affects a lot of people. Hearing about it on the news is one way that youth violence has affected my life. In Washington, D.C. there is a lot of youth violence.
Do Drugs Cause Youth Violence Essay Research
Paper Do Drugs Cause Youth Violence? I believe that youth violence in America is somewhat due to the use of drugs, but not entirely. Although drugs are known to educe violent behavior, I do not believe they are the routes of violence among American teens. I think that kids can be violent with the absence of drugs.
The Red Badge Of Courage Literary Critique
Essay, Research Paper The Red Badge of Courage begins with the Youth (Henry) preparing to leave to war. He has fabulous ideas concocted in his mind about victory and heroism. The Youth soon finds that victory and heroism are a small part in the splendor of war. The Youth’s mind soon becomes burdened with thoughts of death and running away from battle.
To Kill A Mockingbird Life Styles Essay
, Research Paper A child in 1930’s Alabama had a life much different than the life of a child growing up in today’s modern society. As opposed to today’s standards, education was less civilized. Their home life was not as privileged or as entertaining, and their place in society was much more trivial, and planned out.
Television Movie Video Game Violence Essay Research
Paper VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION, MOVIES, AND VIDEO GAMES: The wrong explanation Television, movies, and video games have a great influence on the minds of today?s youth. But, what exactly are the effects of such an influence? Certain people have exaggerated the effects that these media have on today?s youth.
Проблемы молодости /english/
Проблема отцов и детей. Проблема, как проводить свободное время. Друзья и общение со сверстниками. Проблема выбора будущей профессии и нахождения места работы.