The Negative Perception of Teenagers

Teenagers have been associated with issues such as violence and crime, alcohol-related accidents, abuse of drugs and other related matters. In the professional guideline, it is always seen as a negative stage of life and a time of storm and stress. Many teenagers have been termed as rude, and irresponsible in regards to their behavior. Furthermore, most adults agree that they need to be in their teenagers’ life by encouraging them to be successful in school, teach shared values and teach respect for cultural diversities ( Spilková,  2015, pp.435-450 ) However, despite the negative portrayals, the teenagers today are regarded positively without having negative issues. Most of them are going to school and also attached to their families, and their societies. They emerge from their teen years without having serious issues like drug abuse. It is vital for the health and social workers to understand the teens and help in reinforcing positive behavior. In addition, some practices are determined by the nature-nurture debate.

Teenagers develop cognitively, physically, emotionally, and socially that prepares them to use them with their new actions as they transition from childhood to adulthood.  Through this experiments, it helps them to fine-tune their development in other situations. Teenagers take risks since it is a significant way their identities are shaped (Bingham, Zakrajsek, Almani, Shope, and Sayer 2015, pp.21-29).  They try out their new decision-making skills and develop their realistic assessments, other individuals and the world. In addition, adults have a real reason to be concerned about behaviors in regards to taking risks. Currently, many adolescents have more unsupervised time on their hands compared to the past generations. In addition, for many teenagers, the free hours are spent in better pursuits like extra-curricular activities about schools, hobbies and studying while others see it as a chance to indulge themselves in sexual behavior, delinquency, and crime or even drug abuse. Research has indicated that it is during this period that the teenagers are at high risk of being a victim of violent crimes like assault or robbery.

 It is vital to focus on the positive aspects of teenagers and create awareness regarding health and their actions so that their behaviors can be modified or preventing bad behaviors. The teenagers have many reasons for engaging themselves in a particular act that involves risks, for instance, using sexuality to market their product imaginable since they are so curious to experiment. Studies have shown that many teenagers indulge in sexual activities due to peer pressure ( Ovsyanik, Belinskaya, Kochetkov and Deberdeeva 2016, pp.12327-12336     ). In fact for some teenagers, the risk-taking behavior can be a threat to their well-being in the long run. It is essential for experts to understand the difference between experimentation that is consistent and trouble signs or high-risk teenager so that the referrals can be made to mental health professionals when needed. These risk-taking behaviors can start at an early age like nine years, and it usually happens to teenagers who engage in the same response. In this situation, the family must consider referring the teenager to a mental expert in order to get solutions for the pressing issues facing them.

The Importance of Understanding Teenagers and Reinforcing Positive Behavior

Additionally, teenagers who are at a higher risk for adverse results tend to indulge in different behaviors like abuse of drugs and unprotected sexual intercourse at an early age and always have many antecedent risk elements in common like low self-esteem and performing poorly in school.  The main areas of concern for high-risk teenagers are drug abuse and alcohol, sexually transmitted illness, school dropout, delinquency, and violence ( Havighurst, Kehoe and Harley 2015, pp.148-158). Furthermore, teens who start using drugs early depend on drugs and alcohol to ease depression or anxiety feelings. Parental drug abuse is a risk element for the development of drug abuse issues for the teenagers in regards to specific parenting and management characteristics of the family. This encompasses lack of supervision of the teens, teen expectations which are unclear, and no reward for positive behavior.

Additionally, dropping out of can be the worst decision a teen could make which have disastrous impacts regarding economics in future ( Park, Chira, Miller and Nugent 2015, pp.69-77 ). Therefore, it is necessary for guardians to communicate with their teens and educate them on matters of pregnancy and use of contraceptive. Different patterns of delinquency and antisocial actions like shoplifting have been identified. For many teenagers who act out, their work reflects a gap between social and biological maturity. The detachment theory of parenting the teenagers suggests that the guardians can also act as an influence in the behavior of the teen that is to teach them responsible behavior. This means that the parents choose what they consider as responsible and include what is right and what is wrong with regards to the teen’s behavior. The teenagers ranging from 9-13 years is the maturity of detachment parenting  (Sibley et al.,2016, p.699). At this stage, the objective of the parent is to promote the necessary trust of the teen, and independence. They support detachment by allowing the teen to have more freedom of making a decision and the experience of the world while they remain loyal and connected via communication and constant caring. It is difficult for the parents to let their children go since more freedom puts the teen at a more individual risk in life.

Nature and nurture debate has been declared to be redundant by social scientists. Genetics argues that nature and nurture interactions have effects on the behavior in complicated ways but in practice, the debate continues (Salakhova, Bulgakov, Sokolovskaya, Khammatova and Mikhaylovsky 2016, pp.10609-10622). According to Bowlby’s  theory of attachment that there is a bond between the mother and the child as a procedure that is innate and in turn ensures survival. In contrast, Bandura’s theory of social learning affirms that aggression is gained through the environment through observation and imitation. It was supported by Skinner who also believed that people learn from each other through behavior shaping methods. Research has indicated that psychologists still use these terms in order to consider factors that influence their behavior for instance temperament, childhood obesity, and personality(Holmes, 2014). Teenagers get their traits either at birth or through the environment that they have grown in. The context in which a teen grows up in especially the influence and the role their guardians shapes them and determines what sort of adults they will become. The teen’s upbringing shapes the personality, education provision, lifestyle opportunities and friendships all define the kind of behaviors that the teenagers have. The teens with certain characters such as violence are affected by the community and their environmental influences that affect the expression of the gene.  In addition, nature and nurture, both play a critical role, but they cannot be the discussion or explanation in everything.

Risk-Taking Behaviors and Nature vs Nurture

Studies have shown that alcoholism is a disease that continues to arise in teenagers. It has also indicated that the teenagers who drink before transforming to adulthood do not develop the brain functioning appropriately — the chances of the vulnerability of being alcoholics’ increases in the future. Currently, more than 9% of the teenagers live with their parents who engage in alcoholism. The effect of alcohol abuse in a family affects the teenagers hence it causes financial instability due to the addiction and the teenagers also rebel because of the uncertainty that is caused by alcohol (Newman, Tay, and Diener 2014, pp.555-578). Studies have shown that genetic composition is 50% responsible for developing alcoholism. The genes are known to expose teenagers to various conditions like dementia. The risk factors involve the intoxication of alcohol and poor mental state as a teen.

During this period of development, the teenagers strive for more attention as they want to be seen and heard. Teenagers with ADHD condition go through the same symptoms as young children encompassing: impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. The teens also face increasing expectations academically and socially during this time that can work in order to intensify some signs of ADHD. This condition is associated with poor grades in school. The school demands can add stress to learners with ADHD diagnosis (Chorniy and Kitashima 2016, pp.87-105 ). The demanding workload as students’ increases often and it needs proper organizational skills. The teens living with this condition experience difficulty in planning, studying, poor executive function, test taking and note taking skills. In addition, many teenagers also go through other challenges as well. Research may show that there are high levels of comorbidity between ADHD and mood, anxiety and conduct disorders. The teenagers with ADHD require extra emotional support from their guardians and teachers ( Helseth et al. p.280 ). Some behaviors that the teachers and the parents see it as annoying cause anxiety, and low self-esteem in teens with ADHD.

Another condition is alcoholism. Many teenagers enjoy taking alcohol without realizing the dangers of addiction. It must be known that the consumption of alcohol has increased tremendously in the teenage years ( Barkley 2018, pp.1-5 ).  The teenagers do not limit themselves to small doses hence it makes them develop rude behaviors towards their seniors. Therefore, the teachers and the guardians need to understand the benefits of reinforcing positive behavior. Throughout the process of development, the brain undergoes many changes. The reasons why the teenagers feel the urge to experiment alcoholism are believed to have their roots in physical changes especially those taking place at the center of the nervous system. The risk of addiction is increased by the exposure of alcohol to teenagers ( Rosenberg, 2015 ).  How they view alcohol and its impacts influences their drinking behavior encompassing when they begin to take alcohol and their intake.

Alcoholism and Its Impact on Teenagers

Furthermore, the teenager who is expecting a pleasurable experience will take more alcohol than the teenager who will make it for research. The development rain of a maturing teen explains the reason why many teens are drinking heavily. The teenagers appear to be very sensitive to the functional impacts of drinking alcohol like being at ease in social experiences which might also lead them to be aggressive and act up. Those who take alcohol at a very early stage of life have the same characteristics that might lead them to take massive consumption of alcohol.

Managing teenagers is not an easy task, but individuals work hard to ensure that they are safe. Getting information is essential in understanding the teenager’s conditions and its management (Rief, 2016). The research shows that its part of working with the health experts to have a management plan that can assist in the social and academic development of the teenagers. This plan might encompass the strategies of the actions, both at home and at school, assistance for any other learning behavior and emotional issues that the teenager might have, and treatment. For instance,  the experts will not have a hard time dealing with ADHD teenagers if they a good comprehension of what is needed. They need to ensure that they have the teens attention and also maintain eye contact. Also, the instructions must be short and clear with the least number of procedures. It is also important to cooperate with the teen by keeping a calm face and voice. Besides, giving healthy meal options to assist with the alertness and energy. In addition, social skills can b improved by teaching the teen about the consequences of specific activities for instance little time on the computer. Encouraging positive behavior is essential since it acts as a positive motivator. When the positive behavior is seen and praised, the teen will be able to understand what he is required to do (Sasaki and Kim 2017,pp.4-22). During this time, the parents must take full responsibility of their teens so that positive behavior can be nurtured. Many studies have found a positive relationship between the teen and a caring adult since there is a firm emotional attachment, for example, the relationship between a caring teacher and the student.

Alcoholism is a severe condition that has affected teens globally. This causes many teens to drop out of school and engage in activities that could harm them in the future. Health and social workers must understand them and help them to focus on their future. They should encourage teens and educate them on matters regarding alcohol, dementia and other conditions (Germeys and De Gieter 2017, p.2036 ). Some studies indicate that the teenagers must be engaged in non-threatening questions that can assist them to define their identities. They also have to listen without judgment which enables them to realize that their opinions are valued hence they will open up.

ADHD and Its Challenges for Teenagers

In conclusion, teenagers are not only energetic but also challenging. Some typical behaviors arise because of their environment and also biologically hence it is essential for adults to take care of them appropriately. The environment that they grow in determines their personality and patterns of behavior. It is also critical for health and social experts to understand them and educate them on matters regarding alcohol and health.

References

Barkley, R.A., 2018. Adverse Events Associated with Behavior Management Training for Families Experiencing Parent–ADHD Teen Conflict. The ADHD Report, 26(2), pp.1-5.

Bingham, C.R., Zakrajsek, J.S., Almani, F., Shope, J.T. and Sayer, T.B., 2015. Do as I say, not as I do: distracted driving behavior of teens and their parents. Journal of safety research, 55, pp.21-29.

Chorniy, A. and Kitashima, L., 2016. Sex, drugs, and ADHD: The effects of ADHD pharmacological treatment on teens’ risky behaviors. Labour Economics, 43, pp.87-105.

Germeys, L. and De Gieter, S., 2017. Psychological detachment mediating the daily relationship between workload and marital satisfaction. Frontiers in psychology, 7, p.2036.

Havighurst, S.S., Kehoe, C.E. and Harley, A.E., 2015. Tuning in to teens: Improving parental responses to anger and reducing youth externalizing behavior problems. Journal of adolescence, 42, pp.148-158.

Helseth, S.A., Waschbusch, D.A., Gnagy, E.M., Onyango, A.N., Burrows-MacLean, L., Fabiano, G.A., Coles, E.K., Chacko, A., Wymbs, B.T., Walker, K.S. and Wymbs, F.A., 2015. Effects of behavioral and pharmacological therapies on peer reinforcement of deviancy in children with ADHD-only, ADHD and conduct problems, and controls. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 83(2), p.280.

Holmes, J., 2014. John Bowlby and attachment theory. Routledge.

Newman, D.B., Tay, L. and Diener, E., 2014. Leisure and subjective well-being: A model of psychological mechanisms as mediating factors. Journal of Happiness Studies, 15(3), pp.555-578.

Ovsyanik, O.A., Belinskaya, D.B., Kochetkov, I.G. and Deberdeeva, N.A., 2016. Specific Features of Value Orientations and Social Mindsets of Deviant Teenagers. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 11(18), pp.12327-12336.

Park, T., Chira, P., Miller, K. and Nugent, L., 2015. Living Profiles: an example of user-centered design in developing a teen-oriented personal health record. Personal and Ubiquitous Computing, 19(1), pp.69-77.

Rief, S.F., 2016. How to Reach and Teach Children and Teens with ADD/ADHD. John Wiley & Sons.

Rosenberg, M., 2015. Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton university press.

Salakhova, V.B., Bulgakov, A.V., Sokolovskaya, I.E., Khammatova, R.S. and Mikhaylovsky, M.N., 2016. Substantive (Content-Related) Characteristics of Deviant Behavior as a Social and Psychological Phenomenon. International Journal of Environmental and Science Education, 11(17), pp.10609-10622.

Sasaki, J.Y. and Kim, H.S., 2017. Nature, nurture, and their interplay: A review of cultural neuroscience. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 48(1), pp.4-22.

Sibley, M.H., Graziano, P.A., Kuriyan, A.B., Coxe, S., Pelham, W.E., Rodriguez, L., Sanchez, F., Derefinko, K., Helseth, S. and Ward, A., 2016. Parent–teen behavior therapy+ motivational interviewing for adolescents with ADHD. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 84(8), p.699.

Spilková, J., 2015. Leisure time preferences and health-risk behavior of teenagers in the post-communist Central European countries. Children’s Geographies, 13(4), pp.435-450.