Problems Faced by Adolescents
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In western society, the time of adolescence is the time when young people are confronted with the problem of selfdefinition and identity. These problems are exacerbated by biological changes, as well as social and intercultural differences. One of the most common generalized problems of adolescence is that teenagers are attempting to grapple with the problems of a social system that maintains a particularly ambiguous nature. Immediately, one must acknowledge that society itself contributes significantly to the way that adolescence is culturally transmitted. Kroger (1989) acknowledged that society was the main contributor to the way that most adolescents viewed themselves and the world. This, of course, engenders many conflicting relationships between teenagers and society, and often puts them at odds with their peers, parents, and other authority figures (Adelson, 1986). Under that rubric, this paper will examine and overview several problems faced by adolescents in contemporary American society. These problems, while certainly not common to every adolescent, are among the more serious challenges faced by both parents and young people alike. These problems will include alcohol abuse, drug abuse, suicide, communication with authority figures, and problems in school. Using these five aspects, the paper will discuss the way these problems are affecting adolescents, and offer some solutions that parents, clergy, or counselors might use in dealing with them.
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of the fastest growing adolescent problems, ranking fourth as the leading cause of death in the fifteentonineteenyear age group. In fact, from fiftynine to seventyone percent of surveyed adolescents believe that suicide is a potential solution to many adolescent problems (Domino, et.al., 198889).
Comparing adolescents in psychological research, it seems that those with a high degree of possibility for suicidal behavior have experienced far more stress than their nonsuicidal counterparts. This stress, most evident in family disruptions, divorce, and discord, often combines with other stress related factors in adolescence to cause a predisposition toward suicidal behavior. Using a logistic regression model, Rubenstein, et.al., (1989) found that the most dramatic increase in the risk of adolescent suicide comes from the cumulative effects of stress within an adverse situation and imitative behavior so common in children and adolescents.
In order to effectively treat potential suicidal behavior in adolescents, Orbach (1988) suggests that counselors and therapists pay more attention to life circumstances than to imitative behavior from media influence. Such things as divorce, the death of a family member, child abuse and
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Some common words found in the essay are:
Robin Foster, Winkelman Harbet, , Worrell Danner, Drug Education, Alcohol Abuses, Suicide Omega, Social Casework, authority figures, Journal Orthospychiatry, drug education, suicidal behavior, adolescent alcohol, authority figure, substance abuse, Rubenstein JL, journal alcohol drug, danner eds, school system, journal alcohol, alcohol drug, alcohol drug education, danner eds 1989, robin foster 1989, worrell danner eds,
Approximate Word count = 1994
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page)
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