great topic!
I think I can answer this one well 😳
Today's students are facing stress...waay too much of it. Us children and teens are not given the time to chill, be ourselves and have fun like kids did in past generations.
Expectations from schoolwork is greatly rising. As the level of education (Bachelors, Masters, Phd etc) becomes more and more common, it is becoming harder to get into good programs. As a student deeply engulfed in the college application process, I can vouch for all students and say that our best just isn't enough these days. We are pressurised from very young to become involved in certain activities (dance lesson, sports, playing an instrument, volunteering etc) to pad our resume for colleges. All this is in addition to schoolwork. More and more students are taking AP (advanced placement, college level course in high school, if you pass an exam at the end of the year, you are granted credit at most colleges) classes and other honors and such classes. All this while taking afterschool or evening SAT classes to ensure the get that perfect score they need to get into the school of their dream. Come on, older people cannot manage the kind of tight schedule today's youth have. In addition, we are expected to abide my parents rules and help out around the house. Many teens have afterschool or summer jobs as well. Infact, the US has the largest # of youth emplyeed before completing their education of all industrialized nations. There are only 24 hours in our day, not 48
All this stress builds up. One has to find something to take it out on. The weak students rely on alcohol and drugs (both of which are illegal for us) as a means of reducing their frustration. Adults smoke, drink etc to escape problems and because it makes them feel better. Youths are no different. I strongly discourage it and think drug/alcohol/smoking awareness classes should be included in the mandatory syllabus to inform all students (my school has it in our syllabus and my school has an unusually low smoker/druggie percentage...it's almost nonexistant)
other than stress, it is sort of peer pressure as well. If the "cool kid" is seen doing it, others want to try it as well so that they can be included in that "popular" social circle. Again, proper education and awareness in school can eliminate such scenarios
I do not think it has anything to do with broken families. Children from 2-parent homes in affluent neighborhoods are just as likely to be involved in such activities as inner-city youths living in poor neighborhoods raised by a single parent.
No, I am neither a parent nor a teacher. I am too young for either role. However, I hope to be successful as both one day in the future.
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