In today’s society, most teenagers are extremely influenced by their friends. Relying on friends more than family is very common among today’s teenagers. Unfortunately this results in poor decision making skills and giving into peer pressure. Many teenagers, before the age of 15 years old will have tried drinking, sex, and recreational drugs. Underage drinking is very popular among teenagers. Research has shown that 70% of parties held by a teenager serve alcohol. Many times these parties have no adult supervision, which can result in a disaster. When a teenager is new to drinking he/she can possibly overdose on alcohol. Drinking too much will impair their thinking process which will then lead to horrible decisions such as drinking and driving. Today’s teens are willing to do almost anything to fit in and become popular. If a teenager drinks then drives he/she not only risk his/her own life but the life of the others. He/she choose to drink to fit in with the crowd, not thinking of the consequences. Many teenagers try drugs out of peer pressure and curiosity. They think it will make him/her look cool and fearless. Many teens are actually afraid to try drugs but do it anyway because they are in an environment where others are doing it as well. Drugs can become very addictive and if they like the “buzz” they get the first time, then they will continue to use and form a deadly habit. Doing drugs raises heart rate and blood pressure which can easily lead to a very serious situation and sometimes even life-threatening situations. Many teenagers are involved in recreational drugs and become dependent on the drugs. This dependency can result in becoming involved with selling drugs to make money. There is no positive outcome to forming a drug habit. Many teenagers are having sex. Again, this is a result of peer pressure. Studies show that one-third of young women in the United States become pregnant in their teenage years. More than 80% of teen pregnancies are unintended and unintentional. Teens that end up pregnant many times drop out of school. A teenager is not experienced enough to care for a child on his/her own and will become very dependent on family for emotional and financial support. The majority of teenage girls that become pregnant are not in a lasting relationship with the baby’s father, which leads to problems for the child in his/her future. Pregnancy is not the only problem that can result from teenage sex. Sexually transmitted diseases are very common among today’s teens. Not only is birth control not being used but safe sex is not being practiced. Many teens have multiple partners which results in spreading STD’s. Many STD’s are not curable and cause many health issues. There are many consequences to peer-pressure. Alcohol, sex, and drugs are just a few pressures teens face in our society. It is so very important for teenagers to think before they act and make good decisions. In order to help teens in our society today we need to teach them that having sex, doing drugs, and drinking alcohol are not fun activities and there are plenty of other activities you can do to be entertained and fit in with other groups. In order to solve these issues, schools now offer classes about drugs and alcohol to help prevent it in teens. Schools also offer classes about teen pregnancy so teen girls will know what to expect when having a baby and what you can do with your life if you wait to have kids.
Word Count- 607!
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
This is a major problem for teens because drunken teenagers are more likely to get in a car crash then an adult drunk driver and drunk driving should not even be done. Many teens are also pressured into drunk driving which again has a high chance in getting into a crash.…
- 440 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Many young people are drinking at an early age which shown it’s a public health problem in this country. Approximately five thousand underage die a year due to drinking. Research shows drinking at an early age can lead into alcoholic. Other research shows younger children drinking are more likely to be engaging in behaviors that harm themselves and others. Research believes, “Increasing the age at which people can legally purchase and drink alcohol has been the most successful intervention to date in reducing drinking and alcohol-related crashes among people under age 21.” The difference between an adult brain and a maturing binge brain who can consume more alcohol then the adult is more likely to experience negative consequence such as a hangover. The health risk is that in the long run it may impact on long term thinking and memory skills. A higher minimum drinking age can help reduce crashes and save lives, especially younger drivers. They’re two individual-focused interventions called; “School-Based Prevention Program-…” and “Family-Based Prevention Programs-…” are programs to show underage shouldn’t be drinking and the effects of it which teaches them not to be drinking. Underage drinking is dangerous to the society.…
- 3084 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Accidents can have a huge effect on adolescents and it can likewise be lethal. Minors drinking liquor can make them drink and drive which can bring about a car crash. Underage drinking can expand the rate of auto crashes quickly. Then again, auto collisions are by all account not the only mischances that can influence young people. Different mischances that can be brought on by underage drinking are falling or getting run over. The lopsidedness that liquor has among adolescents can bring about these mishaps to be life undermining. The outcomes from underage drinking can have numerous negative impacts among teenagers and our communities.…
- 529 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Lowering the drinking age to 18 will have serious consequences such as the increase in traffic fatalities. According to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World, “in the United States in 2007, the death toll from teenage drunk-driving accidents was 1,393 – nearly four fatalities every day of the year.” (Drinking and Driving, 2006-2015). At such youthful age, these teens are not responsible enough to know that they should not drink and drive. They assume that they are perfectly fine after consuming alcohol, and thinks that it is ok for them to drive, until they find themselves inside a morgue. It was stated by the American Journal of Public Health that “the lower minimum legal drinking age was followed by increases in sale and consumption of alcohol…
- 275 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
“…31.2% among persons aged 18 to 20, and peaked among person 21 to 25 at 45.4%” (Harris 130). Teens aged eighteen to twenty are less likely to be involved with alcohol, however, lowering the drinking age would increase the percentage of young drinkers. The chances of a teenager being able to drive to any store, including stores that are specifically designed to sell alcoholic beverages, would increase. This increase would also cause more accidents if the teen was already intoxicated or drove a vehicle while drinking. More intoxicated drivers on the road can lead to fatal accidents that can alter the lives of many individuals. Some individuals do not realize the risks of driving while…
- 1446 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
Let's begin by talking about why teenagers should not have alcohol. Underage drinking is illegal in all 50 states. The tolerance that police have for a teenager drinking and driving is absolutely zero. Most parents who find out that their child has been drinking are not pleased with it. Underage drinking is a crime. It is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable with a maximum sentence of 6 months incapacitation and a $1000.00 fine. Not only is underage drinking against the law, but it is endangering the person's life, as well as others, especially at parties. As you can see on this survey from the George Mason Univ. & West Chester Univ. in 1997, alcohol was involved in more than two-thirds of all the crime incidents last year that occurred. This survey involved 330 students throughout the country. From the PSU Police Safety Services, the actual offenses of liquor in 2000 were 125 people and…
- 870 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Underage drinking and driving is a serious problem in our society today, and occurs all too often. There many dangers and problems that occur with underage drinking and driving that can affect everyone not just the drunk driver. Not only can the drunk driver injure or kill themselves, but they put the lives of other people in danger as well. Underage drinking and driving can ruin a young adults promising future as well as the future of others. There are serious legal ramifications for underage drinking and driving that could land an offender in jail, leave them with fines to pay, and many other penalties. With all of these dangers linked to underage drinking and driving it makes you wonder why anyone would want to attempt to drink and drive.…
- 741 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Car crashes are the leading cause of death in teens. About a quarter of those crashes involves a driver who was under the influence of alcohol (Wilcox). Driving under the influence of alcohol is a danger for teen drivers and other drivers on the road. “Nearly 1 million high school teens drink alcohol while getting behind the wheel” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). This is usually caused by a teen’s social status. The majority of teens would drink and drive just because they see that other people do it so they can do it too just so they can fit in or be cool. Most of the time, fitting in can turn out to be very dangerous; Especially when driving under the influence of alcohol. When teenagers drink alcohol while driving, it can have an big impact on how the teen is able to drive. “Teen drivers are 3 times more likely than more experienced drivers to be in a fatal crash under the influence of alcohol” (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Teens driving under the influence of alcohol has proven to be fatal but it makes other drivers feel unsafe driving on the road knowing that there might be a teen driver under the alcohol's…
- 1689 Words
- 7 Pages
Better Essays -
Drunk driving is hazardous to teen drivers, passengers and innocent people on the road. Drinking alcohol and trying to drive isn’t a good mixture you can injure someone else badly and be sent to jail, pass out on the wheel, not see correctly due to being dizzy because your wasted and you also kill yourself. 211 children students were killed in drunk driving crashes in 2010. Of those 211 children 62% were riding in the car with an impaired driver. Because most teens being selfish and irresponsible innocent people are losing their lives.…
- 639 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
So, what are the causes of drunk driving? For teens, it’s caused by our urge to rebel and our unwillingness to speak out against it. The first cause is rebellion. Whether we’re ditching class, staying out past curfew, or driving while drunk, teens have always been known to rebel against authority. Teens have been told not to drink and drive, but it’s in our nature to scratch our itch to rebel. Teens often brag about drinking and driving as long as they get away with it. Drunk driving is a twisted way to boost the egos of some teens and make them feel defiant. The second cause for this social affliction is that we, as teens, let it happen. Teens today have trouble speaking out against drunk driving. Teens are much more likely to ride as passengers in cars driven by drunk drivers now than in previous generations. The CDC also published that: “In a national survey conducted in 2007, nearly three out of ten teens reported that, within the previous month, they had ridden with a driver who had been drinking alcohol.” (“Teen Drivers: Fact Sheet” 2). Teens are willing to risk their…
- 1189 Words
- 5 Pages
Better Essays -
Peer pressure affects teen negatively every day, all over the world. However also, not only causing them to do things they do not want to do, it can even mess up their lives permanently. A prime example of peer pressure and influence is: say a student goes to a party with a bunch of his friends, not knowing that, at that party, there is drugs and alcohol. When he gets there, he realizes and soon his friends start taking part in the activities. After awhile they begin to tell him to try it and influence him to do it. When in his mind he knows it’s not right and that he shouldn’t do it even though his friends might “reject” him if he doesn’t do it. However falling for the trick he caves in and tries it. Wanting to be accepted into friend groups has been a major topic of discussion for many researchers. Mainly because teens are taught to try to fit in. Also It has been scientifically shown that teens who have not reached their adult ages are more easily influenced. A study by NIDA showed that when teens were alone they were at an average risk taking level but when their friends would…
- 898 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Alcohol abuse is becoming an increasing important topic among teenage school students. Although we try to teach students to not to EVER start drinking and that it's illegal to for a minor to consume alcohol, the reality is that they will be likely to try it before they finish secondary school college. “‘Let’s pay attention”,said Dr. Curry, who is the dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa. “ You may want to take a look at how you are drinking. If it escalates, you’re at risk, but you can change that now. ” I know what most young adults drink for social reasons or because they want to ‘impress’ some people they may know, but they don’t know any of the negative effects that can happen afterwards. Drinking today is much more open than it has been years ago. It’s only because of the numerous equipments that have access to the media and advertisements. Whilst researching the current law regarding alcohol I found out that the teen must be 18 or up before he or she can buy or drink alcohol beverages. Lastly, it is against the law for your teenager/es to possess alcohol on any street, highway, or public place, carry alcohol in a car, or be a passenger in carrying alcohol unless…
- 2767 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
Teenagers live in a society where individual thinking often comes in conflict with obedience to a group. For teenagers it is difficult not to adhere to the social expectations of their peers. Though it is difficult preserving their individuality against group thinking and going against their peers, not giving into peer pressure saves teens from dropping out of educational institutions, and criminality and drug use.…
- 482 Words
- 2 Pages
Good Essays -
Teenagers are reckless when drinking. To get to the parties the teenagers may have to lie to their parents about their whereabouts. Consequently they could choose to drive while intoxicated, or get a ride with someone who is intoxicated so they do not get into trouble with their parents. This is dangerous not only for the driver and passengers in the car, but for other drivers and passengers on the road. There is a high death toll on the road caused by people driving while intoxicated and many of these are teenagers.…
- 513 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
New studies on peer pressure suggest that teenswho often seem to follow each other like lemmings may do so because their brains derive more pleasure from social acceptance than adult brains, and not because teens are less capable of making rational decisions.And scientists say facing the influence of friends represents an important developmental step for teens on their way to becoming independent-thinking adults.Peer pressure is often seen as a negative, and indeed it can coax kids into unhealthy behavior like smoking or speeding. But it can also lead to engagement in more useful social behaviors. If peers value doing well in school or excelling at sports, for instance, it might encourage kids to study or train harder. And both peer pressure and learning to resist it are important developmental steps to self-reliance, experts say.Research suggests people are strikingly susceptible to influence as teenagers, but to what degree varies widely. In a growing body of work, including research published in April, scientists suggest that teens are more vulnerable to peer pressure than adults because they get greater pleasure from behaviors they experience as rewarding. They tend to find being liked by other people very gratifying. Peer influence during adolescence is normal and tends to peak around age 15, then decline. Teens get better at setting boundaries with peers by age 18 according to Laurence Steinberg, a psychology professor at Temple University.During puberty, people experience an increase in novelty-seeking, demonstrated by interest in exploring a new environment. "It is adaptive to have a [biological] system that encourages you to start exploring outside the home, to start making your new own peer circles," says Beatriz Luna, a developmental cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center who studies peer influence and the adolescent brain.In years past, people thought teens didn't have fully developed…
- 1099 Words
- 5 Pages
Good Essays