Young People At Risk
Why do young people participate in behaviours that put them at risk?
Young people may participate in risk taking behaviours for a number of reasons. Peer influence is one factor that may encourage young people to put themselves at risk. This is because if an individual witnesses their peers actively engaging with risky behaviour, they may identify the behaviour as positive rather than taking into consideration the consequences. It has been found that young people identify alcohol with positive social situations, with alcohol being seen as a part of socialising, having fun and negotiating friendships (Johnson, 2011). Young people also claim that if they drink alcohol excessively, they feel more relaxed. They also see excessive drinking as a …show more content…
normal behaviour linked to drinking alcohol, regardless of the risks (Seaman and Ikegwuonu, 2011). This consequently influences other members of the peer group to also drink excessively, as would be perceived as normal in that social circle.
Drinking alcohol has been found to help build a young person’s social identity (Demant and Jarvinen, 2006). This suggests that although it may put a young person at risk, they are willing to do so in order to be accepted in their peer group. This idea has also been linked to young people taking sexual risks to build their identity and popularity within their social group (Furman, 2002; Pellegrini, 2002). The peer group was also found to be one of the main sources of information for young people when it came to learning about sex and relationships (Chung et al, 2005; Currie et al, 2008; Macdowell et al, 2004). It has been found that there is usually a similarity between an individual and their peers sexual behaviours during teenage years, with perceived peer norms seeming to be followed (Yu, 2010). Young people in their early teenage years want peer acceptance and are willing to conform to their social groups norms, even if it means involving themselves in risk taking activities (Berndt, 1982). For example, if an individual’s peer group participate in risky sexual behaviour, the individual will be more than likely influenced by their behaviour and mirror it. Peer influence has also been found to be a factor …show more content…
when it came to using substances amongst teenagers (Urberg et al, 2003). It was found that drug experimentation is more likely to happen in peer groups, especially when there are members who are older (Mcintosh et al, 2006). This may influence young people to participate in risk taking behaviour as they may want to impress older friends. Peer pressure has also been identified as a reason as to why young people may participate in risk taking behaviour (Yeh, Chiang and Huang 2006). It has been found that for some, being a member of a peer group will involve a certain degree of peer pressure, as other members of the group will expect all members to conform to the norms of the group (Iwamoto and Smiler, 2013). This may include participating in excessive drinking, drug taking or having risky or promiscuous sex (Brechwald and Prinstein, 2011; Santor, Messervey, and Kusumakar, 2000). This is reflected in the Positive Reinforcement Theory (Cooper et al, 1995), which identifies that if a behaviour is seen as positive within a peer group, the individuals may not consider the consequences (Meir et al, 2007). Peer pressure and peer influence is a common theme in the majority of teenage risk taking behaviour research. This suggests that peers play a large part in explaining why young people put themselves at risk.
Young people may participate in behaviours that put them at risk are because of their family influences. In some cases, some adolescents are more likely to take drugs if they have been exposed to them in their home through family members (Barnard, 2006). This is because the individual has been exposed to them and may not know any different, which consequently makes them vulnerable to trying drugs in the future (Notley et al, 2012). Young people who have been exposed to drug taking in their family may not understand the risks that come with taking drugs. This may be because their parents or family members are telling them drugs are bad, but still using them themselves, which gives a confusing message to teenagers (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, 2006). It has also been found that some young people turn to drugs as a result of inadequate parenting and other family issues (Ary et al, 1999). This may be because they have not learnt any boundaries through childhood, or because they want to numb the pain their upbringing causes. Family influence may also be a reason why young people feel it is acceptable to drink alcohol underage. Seaman and Ikegwuonu (2011) found that teenagers feel that being allowed to drink at occasions such as family parties is a part of their family recognising that they are approaching adulthood and that it is acceptable to drink alcohol, even if it is underage. This suggests that families can play a part in a young person’s risk taking behaviour when it comes to alcohol, as some families accept underage drinking. However, this may be because parents can control the amount consumed.
Young people may participate in risk taking behaviours as they have seen others behaving in certain ways and perceive the behaviour as normal. An example of this would be people excessively drinking alcohol, which is now seen as a norm in British society (Smith, 2013). There has been a rise in the number of adults who are drinking alcohol over the healthy guidelines (Smith and Foxcroft, 2009; Lader and Steel, 2010), as well as the increase of affordability of alcohol (Department of Health and National Statistics, 2004). This may be why young people feel it is acceptable to drink and in large quantities, as they are seeing adults doing the same and believe that the behaviour is normal (Jefferis et al, 2005). It has been suggested that in some adolescents lives, the presence of alcohol is symbolic when going from childhood to adulthood, and seen as a transitionary symbol (Beccaria and Sande, 2003; Seaman and Ikegwuonu, 2011). This links in with the idea that adolescence, between the ages of 14-18, is a development stage in which experimentation is most active (Rapp, Dulmus and Wodarski, 2004). This could be experimenting with anything, and suggests why young people may put themselves at risk as they are trying to find out the consequences of actions for themselves. Some have called this transitional period ‘Emergent Adulthood’, which is identified as a period that comes after adolescence but before adulthood (Arnett, 2004; Tanner and Arnett, 2009). This notion means that young people may go through a stage where they act in adult ways, such as drinking alcohol, but their mind is still in the adolescent period. This can be dangerous as young people may not understand the consequences of putting themselves at risk by acting like adults but still being teenagers.
Young people may participate in risk taking behaviours for a number of reasons. A common theme found in research suggests that drug use tends to be linked with negative situations in young people, who take drugs to help them feel better. It was found that a wide range of cocaine users in young people aged 16-24 used the drug to help them feel better when they felt depressed (Boys, Marsden and Strang, 2000). Although this is slightly outside of the age range this dissertation is looking at, it still points to an issue that young people may be using drugs to numb problems. It has also been found that young people drink excessively to forget any worries they have at that time and relax (Seaman and Ikegwuonu, 2011). An example of this was found in a study that found higher alcohol use in lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) youths aged 15-18 compared to heterosexual participants (Pesola, Shelton and Bree, 2014). Pesola, Shelton and Bree found that the higher rates of alcohol use in LGBT youth is partially linked to the fact there are higher depression rates in this group. This is because of reported low levels of self-acceptance and victimization, which may be why young LGBT youth turn to alcohol to forget their worries and numb how they feel.
Another reason why young people may participate in risk taking behaviour is because of media influences, as some television programmes show alcohol as a normal part of life (Atkinson et al, 2013).
It was also found that popular films can portray teen smoking, drinking and drug taking as ‘cool’ and positive, which has been found to influence young people to participate in such behaviours as they see no wrong in it (Stern and Morr, 2013). Mollborn and Sennott (2015) found that some peer groups accept sex in teenage years as the norm, and may go as far as seeing contraception as negative as it makes it less risky. It has been found that some people participate in unprotected sex as they get caught up in the moment and are spontaneous, without thinking of the risks they are taking and the long-term consequences that could come from it (Bell and Bell, 1993; Holland et al, 1998). In addition to this, it was found in a study that some young people believe that carrying condoms may make them seem promiscuous, so they do not (Holland et al, 1998). They may also think that by using oral contraceptives such as the pill, they are protected from sexually transmitted infections, when they are not (Garside et al, 2001). There are a number of theories that may explain why young people participate in risk taking behaviour. Akers’ Social Learning Theory (1985) provides one explanation, as it looks at the idea that young people learn risk taking behaviour from different influences, and are not
born with risk taking traits. An example of the different influences that may affect young people are friends and family. This is because if a behaviour is seen as positive and the norm amongst peers or family members, even if it is risky, an individual is more likely to repeat the behaviour as they will get a positive response from it. This theory therefore suggests that young people participate in risk taking behaviour aged 14-18 because of influences around them.
Young people may participate in risk taking behaviours for a number of reasons. Peer influence is one factor that may encourage young people to put themselves at risk. This is because if an individual witnesses their peers actively engaging with risky behaviour, they may identify the behaviour as positive rather than taking into consideration the consequences. It has been found that young people identify alcohol with positive social situations, with alcohol being seen as a part of socialising, having fun and negotiating friendships (Johnson, 2011). Young people also claim that if they drink alcohol excessively, they feel more relaxed. They also see excessive drinking as a …show more content…
normal behaviour linked to drinking alcohol, regardless of the risks (Seaman and Ikegwuonu, 2011). This consequently influences other members of the peer group to also drink excessively, as would be perceived as normal in that social circle.
Drinking alcohol has been found to help build a young person’s social identity (Demant and Jarvinen, 2006). This suggests that although it may put a young person at risk, they are willing to do so in order to be accepted in their peer group. This idea has also been linked to young people taking sexual risks to build their identity and popularity within their social group (Furman, 2002; Pellegrini, 2002). The peer group was also found to be one of the main sources of information for young people when it came to learning about sex and relationships (Chung et al, 2005; Currie et al, 2008; Macdowell et al, 2004). It has been found that there is usually a similarity between an individual and their peers sexual behaviours during teenage years, with perceived peer norms seeming to be followed (Yu, 2010). Young people in their early teenage years want peer acceptance and are willing to conform to their social groups norms, even if it means involving themselves in risk taking activities (Berndt, 1982). For example, if an individual’s peer group participate in risky sexual behaviour, the individual will be more than likely influenced by their behaviour and mirror it. Peer influence has also been found to be a factor …show more content…
when it came to using substances amongst teenagers (Urberg et al, 2003). It was found that drug experimentation is more likely to happen in peer groups, especially when there are members who are older (Mcintosh et al, 2006). This may influence young people to participate in risk taking behaviour as they may want to impress older friends. Peer pressure has also been identified as a reason as to why young people may participate in risk taking behaviour (Yeh, Chiang and Huang 2006). It has been found that for some, being a member of a peer group will involve a certain degree of peer pressure, as other members of the group will expect all members to conform to the norms of the group (Iwamoto and Smiler, 2013). This may include participating in excessive drinking, drug taking or having risky or promiscuous sex (Brechwald and Prinstein, 2011; Santor, Messervey, and Kusumakar, 2000). This is reflected in the Positive Reinforcement Theory (Cooper et al, 1995), which identifies that if a behaviour is seen as positive within a peer group, the individuals may not consider the consequences (Meir et al, 2007). Peer pressure and peer influence is a common theme in the majority of teenage risk taking behaviour research. This suggests that peers play a large part in explaining why young people put themselves at risk.
Young people may participate in behaviours that put them at risk are because of their family influences. In some cases, some adolescents are more likely to take drugs if they have been exposed to them in their home through family members (Barnard, 2006). This is because the individual has been exposed to them and may not know any different, which consequently makes them vulnerable to trying drugs in the future (Notley et al, 2012). Young people who have been exposed to drug taking in their family may not understand the risks that come with taking drugs. This may be because their parents or family members are telling them drugs are bad, but still using them themselves, which gives a confusing message to teenagers (Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, 2006). It has also been found that some young people turn to drugs as a result of inadequate parenting and other family issues (Ary et al, 1999). This may be because they have not learnt any boundaries through childhood, or because they want to numb the pain their upbringing causes. Family influence may also be a reason why young people feel it is acceptable to drink alcohol underage. Seaman and Ikegwuonu (2011) found that teenagers feel that being allowed to drink at occasions such as family parties is a part of their family recognising that they are approaching adulthood and that it is acceptable to drink alcohol, even if it is underage. This suggests that families can play a part in a young person’s risk taking behaviour when it comes to alcohol, as some families accept underage drinking. However, this may be because parents can control the amount consumed.
Young people may participate in risk taking behaviours as they have seen others behaving in certain ways and perceive the behaviour as normal. An example of this would be people excessively drinking alcohol, which is now seen as a norm in British society (Smith, 2013). There has been a rise in the number of adults who are drinking alcohol over the healthy guidelines (Smith and Foxcroft, 2009; Lader and Steel, 2010), as well as the increase of affordability of alcohol (Department of Health and National Statistics, 2004). This may be why young people feel it is acceptable to drink and in large quantities, as they are seeing adults doing the same and believe that the behaviour is normal (Jefferis et al, 2005). It has been suggested that in some adolescents lives, the presence of alcohol is symbolic when going from childhood to adulthood, and seen as a transitionary symbol (Beccaria and Sande, 2003; Seaman and Ikegwuonu, 2011). This links in with the idea that adolescence, between the ages of 14-18, is a development stage in which experimentation is most active (Rapp, Dulmus and Wodarski, 2004). This could be experimenting with anything, and suggests why young people may put themselves at risk as they are trying to find out the consequences of actions for themselves. Some have called this transitional period ‘Emergent Adulthood’, which is identified as a period that comes after adolescence but before adulthood (Arnett, 2004; Tanner and Arnett, 2009). This notion means that young people may go through a stage where they act in adult ways, such as drinking alcohol, but their mind is still in the adolescent period. This can be dangerous as young people may not understand the consequences of putting themselves at risk by acting like adults but still being teenagers.
Young people may participate in risk taking behaviours for a number of reasons. A common theme found in research suggests that drug use tends to be linked with negative situations in young people, who take drugs to help them feel better. It was found that a wide range of cocaine users in young people aged 16-24 used the drug to help them feel better when they felt depressed (Boys, Marsden and Strang, 2000). Although this is slightly outside of the age range this dissertation is looking at, it still points to an issue that young people may be using drugs to numb problems. It has also been found that young people drink excessively to forget any worries they have at that time and relax (Seaman and Ikegwuonu, 2011). An example of this was found in a study that found higher alcohol use in lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) youths aged 15-18 compared to heterosexual participants (Pesola, Shelton and Bree, 2014). Pesola, Shelton and Bree found that the higher rates of alcohol use in LGBT youth is partially linked to the fact there are higher depression rates in this group. This is because of reported low levels of self-acceptance and victimization, which may be why young LGBT youth turn to alcohol to forget their worries and numb how they feel.
Another reason why young people may participate in risk taking behaviour is because of media influences, as some television programmes show alcohol as a normal part of life (Atkinson et al, 2013).
It was also found that popular films can portray teen smoking, drinking and drug taking as ‘cool’ and positive, which has been found to influence young people to participate in such behaviours as they see no wrong in it (Stern and Morr, 2013). Mollborn and Sennott (2015) found that some peer groups accept sex in teenage years as the norm, and may go as far as seeing contraception as negative as it makes it less risky. It has been found that some people participate in unprotected sex as they get caught up in the moment and are spontaneous, without thinking of the risks they are taking and the long-term consequences that could come from it (Bell and Bell, 1993; Holland et al, 1998). In addition to this, it was found in a study that some young people believe that carrying condoms may make them seem promiscuous, so they do not (Holland et al, 1998). They may also think that by using oral contraceptives such as the pill, they are protected from sexually transmitted infections, when they are not (Garside et al, 2001). There are a number of theories that may explain why young people participate in risk taking behaviour. Akers’ Social Learning Theory (1985) provides one explanation, as it looks at the idea that young people learn risk taking behaviour from different influences, and are not
born with risk taking traits. An example of the different influences that may affect young people are friends and family. This is because if a behaviour is seen as positive and the norm amongst peers or family members, even if it is risky, an individual is more likely to repeat the behaviour as they will get a positive response from it. This theory therefore suggests that young people participate in risk taking behaviour aged 14-18 because of influences around them.