|
|
|
The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
|
|
Prevention Action Alliance
Know! Teens are NOT so Footloose and Fancy-Free
As it turns out, being a teen is not as carefree as we adults would
sometimes like to think. In a 2018 study conducted by PEW Research
Center, it appears teens have a host of problems and pressures weighing
them down.
When 13 to 17-year-olds nationwide were asked about a variety of issues
plaguing fellow youth in their community, they named mental health,
specifically anxiety and depression, as the number one problem. Seven
in ten young people shared this same concern, regardless of gender,
race or socioeconomic status. Bullying came in second, with more than
half of all teens saying it was a major problem where they lived. Next
in line was drug addiction, followed by underage drinking. The silver
lining here is that even though about half of all teens see drinking
and drug use as a major issue among their peer group, less than
one-in-ten report feeling a lot of pressure to personally use drugs or
drink alcohol.
Speaking of pressure, without question, academics is at the top, with
88% of teens saying they feel ‘a lot’ or at least ‘some’ pressure to
get good grades. Not surprisingly, teens say they worry about looking
good, and fitting in socially as well. Young people also report feeling
pressure to participate in extracurricular activities and to be good at
sports.
Nearly one in four children worry every single day about their family
having money for basic expenses, and another one in four report coming
across people who try to put them down - on an everyday basis. More
than one in four young people say they feel tense or nervous about
their day, and wished they had more good friends. The study also found
that family finances, teen pregnancy, bullying, drug addiction and gang
activity, while a concern for all, weighs even heavier on the minds of
children growing up in lower income homes.
In looking at the near future, of those teens who say they plan to go
to college, the majority say they worry about getting into a college of
their choice, and are concerned with being able to afford it.
Footloose and fancy-free are certainly not words to describe the
majority of today’s young people. The amount of worry and stress upon
them can be overwhelming, and may lead to unhealthy behaviors and
coping skills. While you cannot and should not attempt to take away
every adversity in your students’ lives, you do have a unique
opportunity to teach, support and provide solid advice on helping them
deal with the problems and pressures they are facing.
In a series of tips to follow, we will share information on maintaining
mental health, putting a stop to bullying, and preventing or dealing
with substance abuse, as well as healthy ways to help students cope
with the many pressures and stressors in their lives.
Source: Pew Research Center: Most U.S. Teens See Anxiety and Depression as a Major Problem Among Their Peers. Feb. 2019.
|
|
|
|
