Teenage problems in the USA

INTRODUCTION
The topic of the present paper is “Teenage problems in the USA”.
Youth is a time of uncertainty and change. Physical, emotional and social changes take place during this time and make adolescence difficult. Hence, at this period teens in every country and especially in America face many problems including depression, sexual pressures, bullying, financial worries, the balance of media and technology as well as drugs and alcohol. Therefore, we will browse the internet to find relevant articles on teen problems from different sources compare and analyze them. We will also quote scientific studies on the nature of teenage problems and try to suggest some ways to somehow face the issue.
The aim of this work is to get a complete picture of the current problems the youth of the USA is facing. This paper will provide background information about these problems, analyze and evaluate the situation. As a final goal I want to point out that there are certain factors for the emergence and continuation of youth troubles, and in this research we will try to find the best or better ways we can challenge and overcome these problems.
In this paper we will utilize my own experience and knowledge on the topic, conduct a literature review and browse the internet for relevant information.
The paper consists of introduction, main part, conclusion and bibliography.
The main part touches upon different types of problems and the main factors contributing to their occurrence.
To enumerate some of youth problems
The complexity in establishing social relations, especially peer pressure and bulling mostly faced in college.
Problems at home, often in case of living in a ' 'broken ' ' family.
Financial problems because of which many teenagers have to give up education and go to work.
Teen pregnancy, one of the most dramatic mishaps of youth
Eating disorders- resulting both in anorexia and obesity.
Rising teenage crime and violence involvement
Sexual abuse
Teen depression
Smoking, drug and alcohol use, which is a way to cope with all these pressures though putting teenagers into even greater trouble.
In the Conclusion the summary of the work done is given.
Bibliography lists all the sources used in our paper. It contains the list of the scientific literature, as well as the Internet sources.

Teenage problems in the USA
We can often hear the optimistic opinion that teenage years and years of youth are the happiest and the brightest ones in our life. However, if we take off those rose-colored glasses, no chances will be left to deny that serious youth problems are plenty in number among all nations and all cultures. It goes without saying that in the United States as well youth troubles are a major cause for concern and they are definitely not easy to deal with. Moreover, there is a widespread belief that antisocial behavior among young people in the USA has reached its apex now and there is no place left for the situation to worsen. In fact youth problems have always existed in every society and never have people been able to completely solve them. The main explanation to this is that youth is a time of uncertainty and change. The years between childhood and adulthood are the period when physical as well as psychological, emotional and social changes take place and make adolescence difficult. At this phase of major life changes teenagers have to make important decisions about their career and future life. All these make them vulnerable and they become easy preys to a great number of interrelated problems such as depression, sexual abuse, health problems, bullying and lots of others. From facing social pressure to having to deal with puzzled family relationships, there are lots of problems that, if not solved in early youth, will definitely lead to serious troubles later in life. All in all youth at risk can be defined as individuals between the ages of 12 and 24 who face ' 'environmental, social, and family conditions that hinder their personal development and their successful integration into society as productive citizens. ' ' (Ellickson 101)
So, this research paper is devoted to one of the most intriguing issues in the USA today- the troubles teenagers often get into, and here I would like to introduce the ones which occur more often and are considered to be the most traumatic ones.
Being a teenager can at times be incredibly confusing and frustrating. Sometimes the things happening to them, or the things going on inside their head, make absolutely no sense for the elders. When children get older they are eager to be independent, to make decisions themselves, they want to be out of rules. Every other adult around a teen is attempting to shape him into some acceptable social form. Parents, teachers, elders in the family, social groups are all taking part in this process. So we see that a teen is hardly ever able to do what he wants to with his life. Whenever parents set boundaries around teens, without even explaining their validity young people very often can 't but try and violate those rules. Moreover, teens may feel annoyed and irritated when parents try to sit down and have a heart-to-heart discussion with them because they think parents are too old or removed from their problems to understand things bothering them, and what is more to give a good advice. This can make it difficult for parents to communicate with their children in a mature way turning a simple conversation into a real conflict. In this way family misunderstandings become a big source of depression making young people try to find comfort and consolation in the company of their friends who are also teenagers susceptible to all the above mentioned troubles. Hence, parents are the ones who could on the one hand provide the youth with the support they need and on the other hand cause many of the problems teenagers face in today’s world.
Health problems resulting from poor and unhealthy eating habits are also one of the greatest youth issues disturbing the USA today. Girls watch different TV shows and try to look like those top models. It is awful, because a lot of girls become anorexics as a result of this. There is also the exact opposite problem: a great number of young people especially boys don’t care about what they eat. Because of lack of time and money the majority of teenagers and especially boys often go for junk, unhealthy, harmful food That’s why America is considered to have the greatest number of obese teenagers throughout the world.
Youth is the period for teenagers to build a self-image of confidence and independence in the eyes of their friends and the whole society. This identity formation is often done with the help of various risky experiments, which in many cases turn into dangerous habits and even destroy all the hopes for their prosperous future. These dangerous experiments may include unsafe sex, fast driving, not using seatbelts, alcohol and drug overuse. Motives for such a behavior are also great in number. For many sensation-seeking teens it 's a nice way to get rid of «extra» energy, get some adrenaline, satisfy their curiosity and show off (Hansen, Ponton 121). All these problems and acts of antisocial behavior are closely tied to each other and have cause and effect relationship.
Undeniably, in the United States underage smoking, teenage drinking, alcoholism and drug abuse are several of the most important national problems which need thorough consideration. Alcohol and substance use are very popular «symbols» of freedom and autonomy for the teen worldwide. Recently, I read in an article a rather interesting explanation given to this phenomenon: as a child, perhaps all of us have been warned many times not to smoke and use any kind of alcohol “until we are old enough”. In fact, this message can truly be called ambiguous because it turns drinking and smoking into an easy way of acquiring adult status. But it is important to mention that alcohol and substance use and their abuse are two different things. Only when the use of this stuff goes beyond the acceptable limits the phenomenon can be called substance abuse.
However for the USA alcohol and drug abuse is a problem of crucial importance because this puts every state, community, and family at risk. The AACAP (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry) reports that the average age of first-time marijuana users is 14, while many teens begin drinking alcohol before the age of 12. The National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reports that there are 11 million drinkers between the ages of 12 and 20 and the results of risky behaviors associated with alcohol consumption among this group are severe nowadays. Youth violence, unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted disease, suicide, and accident-related deaths are only a few of the negative consequences that impact the American society daily. Ultimately, this issue has become a social disease for the Americans (Coggans, McKellar 16-18). No doubt, it would be impossible to completely eliminate underage drinking from the American reality, but a combined effort by parents, communities, media, law and legislators could at least reduce the level of this national epidemic.
These days many Americans are concerned about youth violence. Each year, an increasing number of teens commit acts of violence, and their victims are most often other teenagers.
It may involve the intentional physical, emotional, mental, and/or, sexual, or psychological assault by one or more people. Abusive behavior can take many forms including sexual abuse, abandonment or neglect. Youth may be both the victims of violence and the aggressors. Violence has negative effects for everyone: the victim, the person behaving violently, peers, family members, and even community members (Olweus 43-44).

Violent acts can include
Bullying
Fighting, including kicking, slapping, or hitting
Use of weapons such as guns or knives
Teens that commit acts of serious violence are often involved in other types of criminal behavior and live a lifestyle that involves a number of risky behaviors, including using drugs, carrying weapons and many others. Although youth violence has always been a problem in the United States, the number of deaths and serious injuries increased greatly during the last decades as more and more teens began to carry guns and other weapons. Some violent acts can cause more emotional harm than physical one. Others can lead to serious injury or even death.
However, violence is a learned behavior, and like all learned behaviors, it can be changed, though not easily. Since there is no single cause of violence, no one simple solution can be suggested. But we know that once a child becomes a teenager, different factors predict involvement in serious violence. An important risk factor for violence in teens is the behavior of their friends and classmates. That is why it is of crucial importance for parents to know who their kids make friends with and encourage healthy behavior and relationships.
One of the most if not the most widely spread act of violence among American youth is bullying. In the United States, every other child has been involved in bullying at least once in his life. However, it has often been perceived as a normal part of growing up among children and teenagers. Little attention has been paid to the awful effects of bullying or to its connection with the other forms of violence. Bullying includes a wide variety of behaviors, but all involve person or a group trying to harm someone who is weaker or more vulnerable. It can involve direct attacks (such as hitting, threatening or intimidating, teasing, name-calling, making sexual remarks, and stealing or damaging belongings) or indirect attacks (such as spreading rumors or encouraging others to reject someone). Almost 30 percent of teens in the United States (or over 5.7 million) are estimated to be involved in bullying as either a bully, a target, or both (Cook, Laub 37).
The effects of bullying are enormous: it can lead teenagers to feel tense, anxious, and afraid. It can affect their concentration in school, and can lead them to avoid school in some cases. If bullying continues for some time, it can begin to affect teens ' self-esteem and feelings of self-worth. It also can increase their social isolation leading them to become withdrawn and depressed, anxious and insecure. In extreme cases, bullying can become crucial for teens, with long-term consequences. Some teens take drastic measures, such as carrying weapons for protection or seeking violent revenge. Others may even consider suicide. Researchers have found that years later, long after the bullying has stopped, adults who were bullied as teens have higher levels of depression and poorer self-esteem than others.
Another problem the American youth often experiences is risky sexual behavior among teens which results in the high rate of teenage pregnancy. Most teenage girls don 't plan to get pregnant, but many do. Teen pregnancies carry extra health risks to both the mother and the baby and this is the reason why unplanned teen pregnancy has been labeled by many as one of the most traumatic experiences. The rate of teen pregnancy in the United States undeniably exceeds the pregnancy rates in other countries. For example, the percentage of adolescent mothers in the United States is remarkably high compared with other industrialized nations. The teen pregnancy rate in Sweden is 35 per 1,000 girls aged 15 to 19. In Canada the same rate is 44 per 1,000. The United States, by contrast, leads all developed nations with a rate of 96 per 1,000. Approximately 1 million teenage girls in the United States become pregnant each year. The rate of teen pregnancy in the United States is indeed an epidemic that leads to other sociological problems such as teen drinking, teen smoking, and an increasing drop-out rate among teenage mothers (Igra, Irwin 45-46). Besides health issues there are also other consequences of teen pregnancy. Teenage births are associated with lower annual income for the mother. Eighty percent of teen mothers mostly rely on welfare. Teenage mothers are more likely to drop out of school. Only about one-third of teen mothers obtain a high school diploma. Teenage pregnancies are associated with increased rates of alcohol abuse and substance abuse, lower educational level, and low earning potential especially in teen fathers.
Hence, many consider teen pregnancy to be at epidemic levels, and believe that it is directly responsible for many of society’s ' 'disasters ' ' (Igra, Irwin 48). Almost everyone agrees that teen pregnancy issue certainly penetrates into other major societal problems including drug abuse, child abuse, crime resulting from financial problems, depression and even suicide.
Almost everyone at some time in his or her life will experience periods of anxiety, sadness, and despair. These are normal reactions to the pain of loss, rejection, or disappointment. Those with serious mental illnesses, however, often experience much more extreme reactions, reactions that can leave them hopeless. And when all hope is lost, some feel that suicide is the only solution. Suicide is an especially common consideration among teens of both genders, all socio-economic groups, and in all situations. As young people experience hormonal changes and fluctuations, physical changes, and the challenges that go along with being a teen, their personalities change, and they often feel as if the changes bring about more harm than good. Teenage depression is one of the leading causes of teen suicide in America. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide is the third-leading cause of death among 15 to 24 year-old people in America. The CDC also reports that for each successful teenage suicide committed, there are between 100 and 200 unsuccessful attempts. According to Kid 's Health, the risk of teen suicide increases when teens have access to guns (Cook, Laub 57). Additionally, suicide rates vary between boys and girls. Girls contemplate and attempt suicide nearly twice as often as boys but boys successfully commit suicide four times as often as girls. This is in part due to the fact that boys use more fatal methods, such as hand guns, hanging themselves, or jumping from heights, while girls attempt suicide by drug overdose or cutting themselves.
A good thing is that symptoms of suicide can easily be detected; therefore it is preventable. Recognizing the warning signs is the easiest way to prevent someone from committing suicide. Talking with the person directly about the situation can be very helpful; sometimes all people need is for someone to listen to what they are feeling without any judgments and to support them when they are unable to carry on.

Conclusion
Growing up can be difficult because teens go through a range of various problems while transitioning to the teenage years. It 's no wonder many of them find themselves unable to overcome some troubling challenges. Parents, teachers, and other adults are the ones who could on one hand provide the youth with the support they need, or cause many of the problems that they face in today’s world
For helping the youth at risk it is first of all necessary to detect their problems. There are many ways in which troubled youth express themselves. For some it 's through risk taking. Actually, it 's not just troubled youth who take chances. Risk taking is common among teens, partly because they do believe they are mature enough to choose what to do. Risks taking can include drinking, having unprotected sex, and endangering their own safety. Unfortunately, many teens engage in underage drinking, smoking, or other abusive dangers. Knowing the signs that the child is using alcohol, or drugs can help parents solve the problem as early as it is possible. Depression and anxiety can strike children as well as adults, and in both cases it can be a difficult and challenging obstacle. Children who are depressed will often pull away from friends, have trouble sleeping, or they may change their eating habits, among other possible symptoms. Youth with serious weight problems often face social problems and may have trouble finding their place in the society. In addition, they have higher rates of depression and behavior problems. If the teen is overweight, it is necessary to offer assistance in overcoming the weight issues as well as the other issues that may come with it.
These are some of the common problems that can be observed about an at-risk youth. In order to overcome these problems, it’s worth reminding teens that no matter how much pain or troubles they are experiencing right now, with parental love and support things can and will get better. Of course, parents play an important role and should take on the responsibility of guiding and leading the youth of today in the right direction, giving them the advice that they are in need of and also safeguarding them from all kinds of dangers. And only in this way teenagers in the US and throughout the world will be able to overcome the problems of adolescence and grow up into a happy and successful adult.

References
1. Addiction Research Foundation. (1991). Alcohol and drug policies: A guide for school boards (2nd ed.). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation.
2. Coggans, N., & McKellar, S. (1994). Drug use amongst peers: Peer pressure or peer preference. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 1, 15-24.
3. Cook, P. J., & Laub, J. H. The unprecedented epidemic in youth violence. In M. Tonry & M. H. Moore (Eds.) Youth violence. Crime and justice: A review of research (1998). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 27-64 Web.
4. Ellickson, P. L. (1995). Schools. In R. H. Coombs & D. Ziedonis (Eds.), Handbook on drugabuse prevention: A comprehensive strategy to prevent the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 93-120.
5. Hansen, & L. E. Ponton (Eds.), Handbook of adolescent health risk behavior . New York: Plenum, 115-159
6. Igra, V. & Irwin, C. E. (1997). Theories of adolescent risk-taking behavior. New York: Plenum, 35-52.
7. Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers, Inc., 43-44.
8. Preventing substance use problems among youth
(http://www.impactabby.com/research/literature_review.pdf)
9. Facts for Teens: Youth Violence
10. (http://www.herkimercounty.org/content/Departments/View/11:field=services;/content/DepartmentServices/View/68:field=documents;/content/Documents/File/122.PDF)
11. Teen Suicide and Youth Suicide
(http://www.suicide.org/teen-suicide-and-youth-suicide.html)
12. Teen Pregnancy Overview (http://www.healthcommunities.com/teen-pregnancy/children/overview-of-teen-pregnancy.shtml)

References: 1. Addiction Research Foundation. (1991). Alcohol and drug policies: A guide for school boards (2nd ed.). Toronto: Addiction Research Foundation. 2. Coggans, N., & McKellar, S. (1994). Drug use amongst peers: Peer pressure or peer preference. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy, 1, 15-24. 3. Cook, P. J., & Laub, J. H. The unprecedented epidemic in youth violence. In M. Tonry & M. H. Moore (Eds.) Youth violence. Crime and justice: A review of research (1998). Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 27-64 Web. 4. Ellickson, P. L. (1995). Schools. In R. H. Coombs & D. Ziedonis (Eds.), Handbook on drugabuse prevention: A comprehensive strategy to prevent the abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 93-120. 7. Olweus, D. (1993). Bullying at School: What We Know and What We Can Do. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers, Inc., 43-44.