1. What are some serious issues that teenagers face today?
Sexual behavior, Drug use, Violence and Suicide

2. Traditional Western Sexual Behavior
Values strict norms against premarital sexuality.
Until the 1960’s sexual values had the support of the vast majority of American’s – at least in principal, if not always in practice.
However in the 1960’s and 1970’s the several factors led to what is known as the “ sexual revolution”

3. Sexual Revolution Development of the birth control pill
Youth counter culture
Feminist Movement

4. Values begin to change Topic is openly discussed
Sexuality is a familiar feature in American culture today
Sexual references are made in over 98 % of American households through the T.V. and other media outlets

5. Unanticipated consequences
Increase in adolescence sexual behavior
Social scientists devote more time to measuring the rate of teenage sexuality and analyzing the factors that influence teenage sexuality

6. Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors that can result in unintended health outcomes. For example, among U.S. high school students surveyed in 20111
47.4% had ever had sexual intercourse
33.7% had had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months, and, of these
39.8% did not use a condom the last time they had sex
76.7% did not use birth control pills or Depo-Provera to prevent pregnancy the last time they had sex
15.3% had had sex with four or more people during their life
Sexual risk behaviors place adolescents at risk for HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and unintended pregnancy:
An estimated 8,300 young people aged 13–24 years in the 40 states reporting to CDC had HIV infection in 20092
Nearly half of the 19 million new STDs each year are among young people aged 15–24 years3
More than 400,000 teen girls aged 15–19 years gave birth in 20094
To reduce sexual risk behaviors and related health problems among youth, schools and other youth-serving organizations can help young people adopt lifelong attitudes and behaviors that support their health and well-being—including behaviors that reduce their risk for HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy.

7. Influences on early sexual activity
Family income level
Parents marital status
Religious participation
Subgroups ( teens who are active )
Drug use
Delinquency

8. Consequences 400.000 teen pregnancies per year
Babies are born with less weight (20)
Teens less likely to finish high school
Lower life time earnings
Children more likely to experience learning difficulties
Repeating pattern / teen moms have more emotional stress than older mom

9. Teen Drug Use
Drug is a substance that impairs the body and brain changes mood or behavior.
Alcohol ( presently80% / is on the decline the last 10 years )
Cigarettes ( 47% on the decline )
Marijuana ( 49% gateway drug / increase)
Other elicit drugs ( ecstasy, heroin, cocaine )

10. Influences on teen drug use
Truancy
Dysfunctional family environment
Peers
Low esteem
Attitude that drugs are not harmful
Easy access

11. Consequences of drug use
Academic and attendance are poor
Less likely to graduate from high school
Lower life time earning
Health related issues ( addiction )
More prone to other social problems such as gang or criminal activity
Death / Drunk driving

12. Teenage Violence Bullying Gang / Drug violence Relationship abuse
Gun control
1990’s / crack cocaine

13. Teenage suicide Emile Durkhiem classic study “ Suicide “
Examines levels of “social integration”
“ the degree of attachment people have to social groups or to society as a whole “. / low vs. high levels
Social disorder

14. Predictors of teen suicide
Alcohol or drug use
Triggering events
Age ( older teenagers / young adults )
Sex ( females attempt more / males succeed )
Population destiny ( under populated areas have higher rates )

15. Suicide
Family relations ( weak ties, divorce, violence, loss of parent, rejection
Cluster effect: sometimes results in other attempts in that community
Copycat: self destructive behaviors in already unstable adolescence