At Risk Youth

At-risk Youth

At-risk youth face more serious and critical risks than any other previous generation. According to the NRPA definition: “at-risk youth are youth who are, or have the potential to be, influenced negatively by family, environment or peers and social factors that deter positive mental and social growth.” Also could be those who are in lack of financial resources or do not have the ability to affect a positive change within their environment, family or economic status. As well as the absence of a positive, caring role model, parents or others defines an at-risk youth. The majority of journals, sites, magazines and books all define that an at-risk youth has a lack parental guidance, positive role models, and finances, no stability and a violent environment. People reefer to inner city kids that live in poor neighborhoods as at-risk youth. Are they however really more at-risk then any other youth in this world?

Drugs, alcohol, sex and violence are prominent in almost every area of the United States. I believe that single-parent homes, dysfunctional family units and other social issues have no boundaries as to who they affect. That is why I agree with an article off of familyfirstaid.org that implies that any child that grows up in this world regardless of social or economic status, financial resources, environment or number of parents in the household is in some way “at-risk”. The article states that at a very early age children are being exposed to sex, drugs, violence and everything else harmful and alarming in the world in some fashion or form. These children will know someone who smokes cigarettes or marijuana, drinks alcohol or has sex. Some parents will in fact do everything in their will to raise their child right and the child will still make poor decisions.

Because an at-risk youth can prominently be any child or teen in this world there is no specific classification as to whom is an at-risk youth. They can be either sex, any race, and of any age between 10 and 18. At-risk youth do not necessarily have to be the gang bangers son, the dope dealer’s daughter or the high school drop outs child. In fact troubled youth come from all different walks of life and environments. They can consist of the minister’s son, the teacher’s daughter and the surgeon’s child. A number of statistics will show that a greater number of at-risk youth come from single-parent households that are broken, in poverty and living in low income communities. However the numbers are not far behind with at-risk youth that are from two-parent homes with economic stability and a strong family unit living in the suburbs. Regardless of background and living conditions what is common about the majority of at-risk youth is their lack of ability in coping with the stressors of life as well as the lack of communication they have with their parents, guardians, and mentors. Youth of this generation do not see the link between their actions today and the consequences of tomorrow. They have a mindset that they are indestructible and immune to problems that others experience.

There are many characteristics present in a youth at-risk and the more that are present the more likely they are to be engaged in problematic behaviors. For example they may have dropping grades and then followed by failing grades and begin to drop out in athletic teams, clubs and other organizations and youth groups. They may have a rebellious behavior and run into trouble with authorities, begin to lie and even steel from the home as well as other places. At-risk youth may isolate themselves, show a lack of self confidence and other signs of depression.

There are many factors that contribute to an at-risk youth. For example in today’s society due to the economy many children come from a home where both parents work full time or the single parent is working two jobs. Because of this youth are being left alone for the peak hours of 3pm and 6pm when juvenile acts are most likely to occur. Parents have their children engaged in such a busy and hectic lifestyle that feelings of abandonment may become established in the child. According to “Teen Problems”, Parent Teen guide increasing industrialization, urbanization as well as a disappearing family unit and community social structure; more and more youth find themselves with out social support and adequate nurturing from their parents/guardians. Due to a lack of strong family unit or being isolation in school youth find them selves attracted to the street gang “family” lifestyle. Another major contributing factor is youths want to be accepted by their peers. To be they begin to engage in unacceptable behaviors and activities. Peers have a tremendous influence among teens. Other contributing factors would be youth living in cities with larger populations, an unstable school district, low academic skills, English as a second language and parents who did not graduate high school. Youth are also at-risk when they have negative self perceptions, are alienated, low self esteem, abuse, and have consistent boredom.

I was an at-risk youth. My entire childhood my family and I lived in poverty and a negative environment. Before my teen years my mother was extremely ill, my parents went through a terrible divorce and my family was broken apart in more ways than one. I was exposed to drugs due to family member’s addictions, emotional and physical abuse and was “on my own” so to speak at an unhealthy age. Although all of these factors were taking place in my life while I was at school I was able to escape the reality of home. Unlike the typical at-risk youth I excelled greatly through out high school: 3 sport varsity athlete my soph/jr/sr years, ASB President, Madrigals choir, Honors student taking multiple AP course, and a candidate for the future leader of America award. I was a part of the “popular” crowd and a well known town star. However I could only keep myself so busy with school and after school activities to forget about my problems at home. I hade a very difficult time coping with the stressors that were in my life and because of that I began to engage in inappropriate behavior such as partying with the “in” crowd, binge drinking, experimenting with several drugs, and staying out as late and as long away from home as possible. I was a functioning mess that on the outside seemed to have it all together but in reality my life was being destroyed a little more each day. Once I was able to afford to get myself out of my negative environment and found a group of uplifting positive individuals in a college ministry group I was able to function in a much healthy manner. I no longer had to pretend or cover up my problems with drugs and alcohol. I had a problem and luckily there was someone who intervened before it was too late and I ended up causing significant damage to myself, family or an innocent member of society who was driving on the same road as me during one of my typical drunken drives home. I was an at-risk youth but I thank God everyday for the intervention that I needed that so many youth never get.

Crystal Marie Southard

Feb 7, 2011

Nancy Nisbett

# 35719 Mon2-4:50

“A Better Way to Handle Juvenille Offenders” International Child and Youth Care Network. VOL 12. No 2. Jul 204. 25 Oct. 2004

“Identifying the At Risk Student:What is the Concern?” Edward G. Rozyckie, ED. D; 2004 Article

“Teens at Risk Oposing Viewpoints”. Ojeda, Auriana Michigan: Greenhaven Press 2003

“Teen Problems”, Parent Teen Guide, LLC. Jul 2004. 14 Nov 2004