Top 10 Issues Our Youth Face Today

10. Single Parent Households

Kid’s adolescent minds may suffer from seeing their parents split up, and according to studies, there are 14 million single parents responsible for 28 million children today. Being raised single-handedly is difficult as a single parent is likely to bring less income home and thus kids may be deprived of necessities and even the parent’s guidance and influence. This may lead to problems such as kids dropping out, dangerous sexual behaviours, drug and alcohol abuse.

9. Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Studies show that 21% of high school seniors state they get high and 41% state they drink alcohol. Apart from damaging their health, these kids are also damaging the society as studies show that kids contribute greatly to drunk driving and violent behaviour whilst under the influence of alcohol.

8. Early Maturity

Youths today are exposed to unneeded information on the television and internet nowadays compared to earlier generations, enabling kids to grow quickly as they are more knowledgeable. These internet and television exposure such as adult related content may influence kids to partake in dangerous adult activities and may even cause depression.

7. Violence in Schools 

Studies have shown that violence in school occur more in low income and urban schools. Statistics show that in the last decade, 284 kids have been murdered due to school violence involving shootings, stabbings, fighting and suicides.

6. Materialism 

We live in a society that promotes materialism at a daily basis, whether it is broadcasted on the TV and Internet or out in public. This negatively teaches children that in order to be measure happiness and success, it is related to your wealth and  how much and how expensive the stuff you own. Parents are also providing kids with whatever they want easily, without being strict and taking the time to teach the kids the concept of earning money or teaching kids the difference of a ‘necessity’ and a ‘want’. If this was brought up to kids at a young age, that some things that kids want are not needed, young adults may have the chance to understand and not be in debt (average adult is $15K in debt).

5. Obesity

Studies show that 20% of American children are obese and factors that have caused this is due to kids spending too much time sitting in front of the TV and computer, playing video games and eating fast food, rather than running and playing outside like earlier generations.

4. Education Disparities

Education inequality is caused by race and financial status. Kids living in a low income and urban area may come across schools that are lacking many necessities.

3. Shifting Economy

Youths today may suffer from inadequate employment opportunities. In the past, high school pass-out or simple graduates would find work easily, whereas nowadays people are unable to find work with good pay even if they have multiple degrees.  The economy is also shifting to a service industry than a manufacturing industry, with companies outsourcing manufacturing and even call center jobs to other countries due to lower labor costs.

2. Poverty

Youths are been victimized by poverty as many homes are unable to afford good health and hygiene. Studies show that 21% of all children (approximately 15 million children) are considered in poverty and in order to cover basic expenses for a family of four, a salary of $45,000 is required.

1. Erosion of National Pride and Identity

There is a less sense of identity on youth today as this may be a result from poor guidance and education. Practices that earlier generation underwent at school in the past are not practiced nowadays and thus the national pride and identity is slowly forgotten.