ADOLESCENT ISSUES PART III

In your opinion, what is the biggest issue facing teens today? Explain your answer.

Major issues concerning teens Sexual activity. Drug use. Alcohol use. Violence. Suicide.

Adolescent sexual behavior Norms vary from society to society. Some allow and even encourage sexual activity at adolescence others forbid it or make it taboo. Premarital sexuality still frowned upon in the United States, although the 1960’s changed our outlook… “sexual revolution”

Sexual Revolution of ’60’s Development of the birth control pill Youth counter culture Feminist movement Norms governing sexual behavior change. Teens could openly discuss sex. HOW DID EACH OF THESE CHANGE THINGS????

Rate of Teen Sexual Behavior Changing norms it what is ok and what is not has led to a dramatic increase in adolescent sexual behavior. Birthrate among American teenagers is considerably higher than other industrialized nations. See page 136 in text. In the ’80’s and ’90’s the CDC recommended that schools teach abstinence. Figures showed it had some success. How do you feel… good idea or no?

Influences on Sexual Behavior Media… 98% of programs teen watch have at least one sexual reference. Family income level… stats indicate lower income, higher rate of sexual activity. Family status… two parents in home, less sexual activity. Religious participation. Friends/ peer pressure Drugs

Consequences STD’S AIDS Pregnancy French AIDS Poster

Teen Drug Use US has highest rates of any industrialized country. Rates: marijuana most widely used. Look at trends in text on page 138 MDMA/ Ecstasy on the rise dramatically as is methamphetamine. (FYI… of 100 people who try methamphetamine, only 6 will never touch it again… it is THAT addictive.)

Faces of Meth

Influences Social Scientists say top reasons are #1 Friends who use and encourage Having social and academic adjustment problems Living in a hostile and rejecting family setting

Attitudes and Problems ATTITUDES… Disapproval rates teen to teen for drug usage have increased. Negative attitudes toward marijuana… % of H.S. seniors disapproved. In 2000, 80% PROBLEMS: Drug related violence Apathy toward school Medical issues (overdose) In 1999 over 200K teens arrested for drug violations, up 86% from 1990

SUICIDE 4,000 a year in the U.S. Third to accidents and homicides as leading cause of death for adolescents. See table on page 141 in text. FYI: seniors aged 75 to 84 have a higher rate REMEMBER… think of the last time you were really, truly sad or depressed… now think of how many times you have SMILED OR LAUGHED OR LOVED OR FELT GOOD SINCE THEN!!!!!

SOCIOLOGICAL VIEW Although an individual act, sociologists look at the social factors that affect suicide. Society affects experiences of people, therefore somewhat responsible. Emile Durkheim. Classic study “Suicide” Interested in why some societies have a higher rate. Function of society in process. (SF Theorist) Social Integration… degree of attachment a person has to the group or society. If this is low suicide rates will be higher. We want to be a part of the group, and take drastic measures when left out.

Predictors of Teen Suicide Alcohol or drug use Triggering events (rejection by someone) Age… highest Sex… females 3x as likely Population density… under populated higher rates Family relations are poor or violent Cluster effect… one attempt results in other attempts among adolescents in a community.

Other issues… Body image issues Academic pressure Depression Eating Disorders Fierce competition between friends Any others??????