COYA

However, giving into negative peer pressure can make a teenager lose his or her individuality. They can blindly follow those peers.

The reason that  teens go along with the peer pressure groups is because he or she is afraid of being rejected by the group and losing friendships.

It is a false sense of acceptance because the teen will still be unhappy without really knowing it.

But being apart of a group and being accepted is so important during adolescence.

The teen will go with the flow.

The way a person thinks, behaves, dresses and the kind of music and movies he or she likes tends to have an impact on the way a person is perceived by society.

Every human being as a child has this basic human need (LOVE).

One of the issues that can affect teens is that of self esteem.

Self esteem refers to how one feels about him or herself.

Also it refers to how you think others feel about you.

Low self esteem can lead to sexual activity (sometimes resulting in teen pregnancy) and depression.

It may seem unimportant to worry about teen self esteem, but in reality, it can set the stage for ones entire life.

Self esteem is important when it comes to making good choices.

Other decisions, such as those regarding risky behavior and use of illegal drugs, can result from low teen self esteem.

(FACTORS FOR TEENS HAVING LOW SELF ESTEEM)

-APPEARANCE. (self image) ask kids how many of them (by show of hands) feel they have some kind of flaw or flaws with the way they look. How many of them are concerned to some degree with the way they look and their appearance.

-PEERS. Teenagers may have peers that make fun of them and put them down. If a teen feels like an outcast, it can have an effect on his or her self esteem.

-PARENTS. Sometimes parents or authority figures put teens down and cause self esteem problems.

Parents, coaches and teachers who always criticize can make a teenager feel as though he or she never does anything right and is never valued.

Constant criticism may cause him or her to feel unloved.

-UNREALISTIC EXPECTIONS. We all want to live up to our expectation and potential, but sometimes teenagers feel pressure from unrealistic expectations.

Often, a teen can develop low self esteem because he or she is not "living up" to the expectations that one sets for oneself.

Finally poor teen self esteem can lead to emotional and mental issues.

Depression can stem from feeling as though you are not good enough. You don't feel loved at home.

This is your classic case of an easy target by gangs and negative peer groups.

Eventually the teenager will be starved for attention and love and will seek it anyway possible, negative peer groups, class clown and acting out.

Water seeking it's own level/association leads to affiliation.

(HOME LIFE)- kids must have love and affection at home.

That is the most important place for a child.

Single parents/"latch key kids"

-Must re evaluate value system:

-Set goals:

-Seek help:

-Talk (communication) parents/teachers/counselors:

-Break out of comfort zone:

Doing negative things will cause your world to shrink.

Positive-your world will be wide open.

Talk about positive reinforcement.

Parents must lead by example.

Just being in high school is a risk factor for teens when it comes to alcohol and drug use.

Alcohol consumption and marijuana use are the two most common drugs in high school, and studies

indicate that nearly every teen has

tried them at least once.

The average of trying alcohol is 12, and the average age for trying marijuana is 14. (Weed is a gateway drug)

Prescription drugs and over the counter medications are also becoming popular teen drugs as they are easier and less expensive to obtain than illicit drugs.

The use of illegal drugs is increasing among teens.

The most popular illegal drugs include cocaine, PCP, ecstasy and meth.

SIGNS TO LOOK FOR: EMOTIONAL SIGNS:

Sudden mood swings.

Irresponsible behavior.

Lack of interest in activities.

Personality differences.

Low self esteem.

Irritability.

PHISICAL SIGNS:

Repeated health problems.

Lingering cough.

Fatigue.

Frequent headaches.

Red glazed eyes.

Big loss of weight-gaunt look.

-Social indications:

Change in friends and preferred activities.

Change in life style and dress.

Less attention and personal appearance.

Run-ins with the law.

Taking money and valuables from home.

-SCHOOL PROBLEMS:

Dropping grades.

Discipline problems.

Truancy.

Tardiness.

Negative attitude.

-Family Problems:

Withdrawing deliberately from the family.

Violent outburst.

Starting arguments.

Sneaking out at night.

Breaking family rules.

young adults.

Fire arms are the weapon of choice among teens in committing most homicides (86%)

For every 1 juvenile fatal shooting there are 3 non fatal shootings.

Homicide is the second leading cause of deaths among youths aged 10-24 years in the United states.

Violence is always a major cause of non fatal injuries among youths.

Youth violence results in considerable physical, emotional, social and economic consequences.

According to center of disease control (CDC), in recent years an average of fifteen teens were killed

everyday, usually with firearms, 750,000 teens are treated in the emergency rooms for violence related injuries each year.

-33% of teens had been in a physical fight in the last year. 17% reported that they had taken a weapon to school in the previous 30 days.

Teen homicide is the leading cause of death among African American teens and far more victims are male than female.

But all teens can be at risk.

Some factors that increase the chances that a teen will be a victim of violence or homicide are:

-Involvement of gangs or violence:

-Low parenting environment:

-Inconsistent discipline/lax or to harsh:

-Use of drugs and alcohol by teens or parents:

-History of violence in the home:

-Emotional problems:

-Injuring animals and people:

-No positive extracurricular activities:

-Exposure to media violence:

These risk factors are not what causes teen homicide, but they often put teens in situations where they

are more likely to become victims or offenders.

Emotions enhance memory, it is a fact. Which would you remember more,, a calm peaceful sunny days with no troubles, or a day where it

rained and your car broke down? It is human nature to remember and dwell on the negative instead of the positive.

Since this is very true, what do you think a child would remember more... a song about pretty flowers

and trees, or a song about how bad life is and how good it would be to just die.

10,000 fewer homicides each year in the U.S:

70,000 fewer rapes:

70,000 fewer injurious assaults:

This could be the difference if parents take the initiative to help their children decide what is appropriate media entertainment.

(Professor Brandon Centerwall) from the University of Washington has linked violent media to largely influencing about 1/2 of crime in America.

Center for media and public affairs-before the age of 18 a young American will witness 200,000 acts of violence including 16,000 murders on TV.

Researches found that children begin to understand and mimic what is on television at 18 months old.

But up until they are 6 to 7 years old, they are mentally, psychologically, physically,unable to discern

the difference between

fantasy and reality.

TV. shows, music lyrics, video games and advertisement in American often set unrealistic social

expectations and standards.

A lot of the various entertainment industry targets teenagers.

Parents have to work longer hours because of the economy.

Outside influences have more access to and influence over the children.

National TV. violence study stated that media is now a child's main socialize and role model.

Children spend almost 30 hours a week watching TV. and only half this amount of time in school.

TV. has become a babysitter.

According to the University of Miami,40% of the average 30 minute news programs was devoted to crime.

Most people would agree that violence is a natural part of life, but what effect is it having on the children, teens and even adults in America?

Studies conclude that viewing certain programs of violence can increase aggression in children, make

them more fearful and less

trusting and desensitized them to violent behavior to other people.

6 major medical groups concluded that they believe TV. violence is a significant problem...

Young people watching 1 to 3 hours of TV. daily were almost 4 times as likely to commit violent and

aggressive acts later in life

than those who watched less than an hour a day.