Essay Example on Youth Risk Behaviors: Self-Injury, Violence & Suicide

Introduction

Risky behaviors comprise of the actions that are susceptible to harming the development and well-being of the young people or activities that may deter future success and growth among the teenagers (Guzman, 2014). This paper will review the risk behaviors that adolescents engage in, the risk factors, and how the youths can allude to their effects.

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Question One

Risky Behaviors

Risky behaviors include self-injurious behaviors, violence, and suicide. Self-injurious practices comprise risky driving activities like reduced use of safety belts, distracted driving, and drunk driving. Fighting, aggression and suicide are also contributors as they form a leading cause of death and injuries collectively among teens. The other risky behavior is substance abuse, with alcohol and smoking being the most popular. Other risky behaviors include risky sexual behaviors, obesity, and unhealthy dieting (Guzman, 2014).

Contributors

Teenage is comprised of rapid changes. Individuals thinking becomes more sophisticated, leading to teenager being treated like adults and are allowed to execute mature responsibilities and adult expectations (Guzman, 2014). This is besides the fact that at that age, decision making and cognition are not fully developed. These years are thus, stressful, and fragile, leading the teens engaging in risky behaviors.

Question Two

Scholars have identified factors contributing to the prevalence of risky behaviors among teenagers (Guzman, 2014). They include personal factors like low self-esteem, peer pressure, reduced school engagements, and educational aspiration. Familiar factors include poor communication between teens and parents, low guardian monitoring, and insufficient family support. Moreover, external factors comprise a negative school environment, poor neighborhood qualities, socioeconomic status, and a weak association with non-parental adults.

Ways that Society may Glamourize Risky Behavior

Modern society is surrounded by technology, busy lives, and substance abuse. It is more common to notice adults engaging in phone-calls or texting while driving, minimizing the notion that it is dangerous among teens (Guzman, 2014). These aspects are also exaggerated in modern screenplays where perilous driving and engaging in secondary activities are displayed as fun, making the teens desire to copy the same. Additionally, contemporary life is expensive, making the guardians continually work most of the time, forsaking the parental roles such as advising or monitoring teenagers (Guzman, 2014). Lastly, due to increased mental pressure, adults are more likely to engage in substance abuse, aspects depicted as fun and exciting.

Question Three

Peer influence is one of the primary contributing factors teens spend extended time together. As such, they are more susceptible to influence a particular behavior. Low self-esteem may make an individual have trouble overcoming negative thoughts and feelings, thus making them desire to have an outside experience, such as sexual intercourse or drug abuse (Guzman, 2014). External factors may include a negative neighborhood where a person raised in a violent community may grow, believing that violence is the only solution.

Question Four

Renegotiated Relationship

Renegotiated relation between parents and teens parents means in the presence of changes, a majority of the guardians and teenagers continue to sustain a close relationship during the teenage years (Guzman, 2014). Besides being natural, the renegotiated relationship and the transition is reinforced by the increasing logic, self-discipline, and freedom as the teens grow.

Strategies for Renegotiation

One of the strategies for renegotiation is monitoring. Despite teens being considered mature, independent, and responsible, it is critical to monitor them, by maintaining track of the teen location, and their situations regularly (Guzman, 2014). Secondly, parents can continually communicate their expectations, such as family values, language, and behaviors.

Importance of Renegotiated Relationship

Renegotiated strategies are essential since teens can confidently raise their concerns. The renegotiated plan improves the relationship between teens and parents, meaning that they can learn and approach life more carefully (Guzman, 2014). The teens can also develop better values, such as respect, improved communication, and encourages participation in positive activities.

Question Five

There are several other approaches that I can use, such as freeing more time to spend with the teen, while avoiding being too present. I can also avoid being too condescending to build confidence among teens. Regularly engaging in the activities, the teen desires is also critical as it will enable me to understand the teenager in the context of the fast-changing technological environment.

Conclusion

Adolescence is a stage that comprises a majority of individual changes. It is surrounded by challenges, responsibilities, and developments that increase teens' susceptibility to engage in risky behavior. Despite the many contributing factors, unsafe practices can be addressed with the incorporation of a well though renegotiation strategies and relationships.

Reference

Guzman, M., R., T. (2014, August). High-Risk Behaviors in Youth. Nebraska Extension Publications. http://extensionpubs.unl.edu/publication/9000016364624/high-risk-behaviors-in-youth/‌