Teens: More Stressed Than Ever Before? - Essay Sample

Introduction

Today's teenagers have shown that they are more stressed compared to 20 years ago (Sawyer et al. 223). More often than not, teenagers always face pressure both in school and home, and this has been touted to be the primary cause of their stress. More recently, there is a significant increase in the number of young people suffering from anxiety disorders, depression, and sleeplessness, which are attributed to increased stress. Further, the ever-increasing demands of teenage life are often believed to be a major cause of a steep rise in stress levels among teenagers (Coward 25). Studies have indicated that increased stress in teenagers may have a devastating effect on their physical and mental health, which may disrupt their lives before they get into adulthood. The paper will explore why there are increased stressed stress levels among teenagers compared to the last 20 years.

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Notably, the increased pressure in school as a result of many exams and homework often results in a steep rise in teenagers' stress levels, hence causing adverse effects in their performance. Teenagers often require rest when they finally arrive home from school. However, most teachers always give homework that requires many hours to complete, thus denying the teenagers the much-needed time for play and relaxation (Sawyer et al. 225). Worth noting is that most schools have become obsessed with academic performance, and they always give many tests and exams that inadvertently causes stress among teenagers. More imperatively, the pressure to perform that is always imposed on teenagers by their parents, and teachers often result in increased stress, which may consequently cause mental health issues in them.

The advent of technology has resulted in the development of different technological devices such as smartphones. Most teenagers are always focused on social media, and they spend a considerable amount of time surfing. Understandably, teenagers are often exposed to different lifestyles and perfect bodies, and since they are sensitive to social comparisons, they will be embroiled in a state of stress. Evidence has shown that many female teenagers often idolize some celebrities, and they often strive to ape their lifestyle, which creates an environment for their increased stress (Kennedy et al. 108). In the recent past, many parents have become reluctant to teach their children about the dynamics of life, and this is because their focus has changed to sourcing necessities of life such as clothing, food, and shelter. Also, social media often creates a feeling that the outside world is perfect, and when teenagers relate their lives with that notion, they often become more stressed.

Moreover, there has an upward trend in the rate of divorce cases, which consequently disintegrates the family. Teenagers are always the hardest hit by such cases that result in their increased pressure compared to 20 years ago (Coward 29). Additionally, increased domestic violence in most households has left many teenagers feeling such cruelty, hence increasing their stress levels. More often than not, divorce and separation may result in the disruption of their lives as they are confined to being in a single-parent household that they are not used to, and this inevitably increases their levels of stress. More significantly, economic difficulties that are always experienced by parents often result in increased stress among teenagers. Studies have indicated that most teenagers have become more concerned about their social and economic status, and they often plunge into a state of stress when their parents are facing difficulties (Sawyer et al. 227). Still, health issues within the family often take a toll on teenagers. The increased number of lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cancer often brings adverse effects on most families, and this always results in increased stress among teenagers (Morris et al. 63).

Most teenagers have become more sensitive to societal issues such as climate change, immigration, and high rates of suicides, among others. Recent research has indicated that most teenagers worry about the potential consequences that will be caused by environmental degradation. Further, there have been increased cases where children are separated from their parents because of immigration issues, and such cases often increase the stress levels of most teenagers (Sawyer et al. 228). Equally important, the ever-increasing incidences of mass shootings in schools have resulted in high levels of stress among teenagers as they always fear that they may fall victim to such criminal activities. Additionally, rising suicide rates have made many teenagers feel stressed as sometimes it is their close family members who die as a result of suicide (Coward 32). The changes in diplomatic policies, especially that of deportation, have resulted in increased stress among teenagers as they fear that they or their friends may fall victim.

Also, the increased hostility in a social environment which has become punctuated by criminal activities has been attributed to increasing stress among teenagers. Sexual harassment and assault within the society have sent chills in teenagers, and this contributes to their increased stress levels (Kennedy et al. 110). More imperatively, adults have become obsessed with pursuing economic objectives and abandoning their collective role of creating a supportive social environment that can guarantee the perfect growth of teenagers. Furthermore, many teenagers have become substance abuse users, and some of those drugs may bring devastating effects such as stress. It should be noted that age-related issues such as peer pressure, bullying, sexual orientation, and gender identity often result in teenage stress. Research has shown that girls have become unappreciative of their gender identity, and this often increases their chances of experiencing stress (Hunter and Felicia 779). Further, bullying in school often creates inherent fear and, worse still, stress among teenagers. Peer pressure often results in a situation where teenagers want to live the lives of their counterparts and failing to succeed in doing so often causes them stress.

Child abuse and neglect always contribute to increased stress among teenagers. Studies have demonstrated that the rising cases of child neglect and abuse often throw many teenagers into a state of despair, thus leading to increase stress among them. Moreover, most teenagers who suffer from chronic diseases often fear for their lives (Morris et al. 67). When teenagers lose their parents or their close family members, they are often left greatly traumatized hence leading to stress. Most teenagers always require quality healthcare to guarantee their perfect health. In cases where their parents or guardians cannot provide such a necessity, they often become stressed. Undoubtedly, many teenagers often experience stress because their parents do not teach them the much-needed coping skills to navigate the complex world of realities (Kennedy et al. 112).

More fundamentally, the community and family have failed to foster a strong relationship with teenagers, and this has left them exposed to destructive behaviors that increase their stress levels (Coward 35). Also, increased incidences of global issues such as terrorism and kidnapping often result in stress among teenagers who fear that they become victims. It is worth noting that today's teenagers are more susceptible to stress because of the changing social environment occasioned by policies that are not concerned about issues relating to children. Learning institutions have not developed programs that can be instrumental in counseling teenagers, and this has increased to rising rates of stress (Hunter and Felicia 776). Additionally, the community has failed to reinforce social norms that can help in curbing negative behaviors such as substance abuse and sexual assault. Undeniably, a well-functioning society will inevitably result in an environment that is free from social ills, and this will consequently result in reduced cases of stress among teenagers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, teenage stress may bring adverse effects to the family and society in general. There is a need to ensure that different factors that result in stress among teenagers are adequately addressed. The increasing cases of divorce and separation often result in fractured families that consequently affect teenagers. Parents should explore different conflict resolution mechanisms before settling for divorce. Also, technology has proved to be a major factor that causes stress among teenagers. Parents should control their children's adoption of technological devices that often make them make social comparisons, and hence stress. More importantly, the community and family should ensure that they create a perfect environment that will guarantee teenagers a peaceful life devoid of stress. It should be noted that stress may result in physical and mental health issues to teenagers, and contemporary coping skills should be imparted in them to guarantee their perfect development and growth.

Works Cited

Coward, Ian G. "Adolescent Stress: Causes, Consequences, and Communication as an Interventional Model." Canadian Journal of Family and Youth/Le Journal Canadien de Famille et de la Jeunesse 10.1 (2018): 25-51. https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/cjfy/index.php/cjfy/article/view/29341

Hunter, Sharon, and Felicia Sawyer. "Analyzing Teen Stress Symptoms." Journal of Advances in Social Science and Humanities 5.5 (2019): 774-785. Kennedy, Beatrice, et al. "Childhood bereavement and lower stress resilience in late adolescence." Journal of Adolescent Health 63.1 (2018): 108-114. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1054139X18300843

Morris, Julia, et al. "The psychological, social, and behavioral impact of a parent's cancer on adolescent and young adult offspring aged 10-24 at time of diagnosis: A systematic review." Journal of adolescence 65 (2018): 61-71. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0140197118300393

Sawyer, Susan M., et al. "The age of adolescence." The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health 2.3 (2018): 223-228. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2352464218300221