Challenges of Adolescence Chapter 6 section 3 Pgs. 135-143

Challenges of Adolescence The characteristics of adolescence that mark it as a distinct life stage gave rise to pressures and problems not generally found in childhood. Teenagers face important developmental tasks which include carving out an identity, planning for the future, becoming independent, and developing close relationship. Research has focused on the problems that teenagers face. Sexual behavior Drug abuse Suicide

Teenage Sexual Behavior The norms governing sexual behavior vary widely from society to society. In western countries, traditional sexual values include strict norms against premarital sexuality. Traditional sexual values in the U.S. are an outgrowth of Puritan and Victorian views of sexual morality. According to these views, sexual activity should be confined to marriage.

Teenage Sexual Behavior In the 60’s and 70’s the development of birth control, a youth counterculture, and the feminist movement led to what is known as the Sexual Revolution. The norms regarding sexuality began to change and people began to discuss the topic openly, as a consequence sexuality became a familiar feature in American culture.

Teenage Sexual Behavior Sexual references are common in the programs see in the 98 percent of American households that own television sets. In addition advertisers have been using the lure of sexuality to sell their products. As a consequence there has been a dramatic increase in adolescent sexual behavior. As a result social scientists have begun to study the topic

The Rate of Teenage Sexual Activity According to the CDC… IN 1970 29% of unmarried women were sexually active by 1995 the rate was up to 50%. The CDC programs encourage American teenagers to abstain from sexual activity until marriage. Social scientists have developed a number of explanations for why adolescents engage in sexual activity.

Influences on Early Sexual Activity Several factors can lead to early sexual activity. Family income level Parents marital status Religious participation Peer Pressure Drug Use Religious participation Teenagers who actively participate and practice their religion tend to wait until marriage and have different views on sexual activity.

Consequences of Early Sexual Activity Teenage Pregnancy Babies born to teenagers have lower birth rates Teenage parents are less likely to finish high school Teenage parents have lower lifetime earnings due mainly to the above fact. Children of teenage parents are more likely to experience learning difficulties Have an increased risk of becoming teenage parents themselves Teenage mothers often face significant emotional stress

Consequences of Early Sexual Activity Sexually Transmitted Disease 4 million teenagers contract an STD each year Gonorrhea Syphilis Chlamydia Herpes AIDS AIDS is a fatal disease caused by a virus that attacks the immune system Few teenagers say they think they are personally at risk but in the 1990’s it was the 7th leading cause of death among those 15-24.

Teenage Drug Use Drug: an substance that changes mood, behavior, or consciousness. Drugs exist in many forms Medicines Alcohol Cigarettes Marijuana Cocaine Heroin Ecstasy Meth Read pages 137-140 and write down facts you see in the section

Teenage Suicide The rate of suicide of American teenagers has more then doubled in the last three decades. A youth commits suicide every 2 hours in our country That is 12 times a day, 84 times a week and 4,000 times a year Suicide is third only to accidents and homicides as the leading cause of death among those 15-24.

The Sociological View of Suicide Sociologists are interested in the social factors that affect the suicide rate. Emile Durkheim’s study is still the leading reference for this topic. Durkheim looked at why some societies or groups have a higher rate of suicide than others. He said variations in suicide rates can be explained by the level of social integration in a group or society.

Social Integration The degree of attachment people have to social groups or to society as a whole. Groups with high or low social integration have a higher rate of suicide. High levels of social integration can lead to increased rates because the group members place the needs of the group above their own needs. Example: Elderly members of the Inuit tribe of the Arctic

Social Integration Suicide resulting from low levels of social integration are much more common. Social disorganization which can result from many factors such as social change, increased geographic mobility, war, natural disasters, or sudden changes in economic conditions. During this time the social bonds that give us a sense of solidarity are weakened.

Predictors of Teenage Suicide Certain social factors appear to affect the rate of teenage suicide. Alcohol and Drug use Triggering Event Age Gender Population density Cluster effect Teenage suicide rate factors are the same as many adult factors. The leading factors still being social isolation and a weakening of social bonds. Teenagers should realize they are not alone in their problems and there are sources of help available.