Society is well aware of the increasing rate of crime among teenagers.
The problem has been around for a while, but it seems to have reached a peak recently. This is a sign that something needs to be done about it now.
It’s time we stop judging these kids based on their criminal behavior, and instead provide them with the support they need to get back on track with their lives.
Teens and Crime Rates
It’s a sad fact that teenagers are increasingly engaging in criminal activities.
The problem is becoming serious and widespread, with teens committing an increasing number of crimes. In recent years, the rise has been alarming: carjacking, drug abuse, and other crimes have become more common due to the actions of young people who choose to commit crimes instead of living productive lives.
It’s estimated that as many as 16 million Americans aged 12 to 17 were arrested between 1960 and 2010; while this number includes juveniles who were never prosecuted or convicted for their alleged offenses, it still points towards troubling trends among youths today. It’s clear that something needs to be done before we see another generation lost at sea; if you want your teenager (or any teenager) to succeed after they graduate high school—and especially if you want them not just to survive but excel in life—then you needn’t look much further than some basic guidelines for raising children well!
Teens and Problems of Social Media
Social media has been used to connect people from around the world.
It has also been used to spread hate and violence among people who do not know each other.
Teens are turning to social media for support and some this works. For others, social media causes depression and anxiety, and increased peer pressure.
Social media exposes children and teens to bullying, rumor spreading, unrealistic views of life, drugs, and alcohol.
Teens with low social-emotional well-being, low life satisfaction, and have no or little personal identity all experience the more negative effects of social media. Helping our teens recognize their strengths and giving them validation can go a long way in protecting them from the pressures of our internet-connected world.
Depression and other mental health issues that teenagers suffer from.
Unrealistic academic, social, or family expectations can lead our children to feelings of rejection and deep, unsettling disappointment. We’re trying to make our youth grow up too fast!
Today’s teens see more of the world with television, school, magazines, and the internet than past generations. They’re dealing with more stressors and confusion alongside all the emotional and physical changes in a world that often provides less support and positive coping mechanisms.
We need to provide our teens with avenues of positive coping mechanisms like:
- Making new friends
- Participation in sports, jobs, school activities, hobbies
- Organizations that offer programs to young people
- Adults they can ask for help
Teens that don’t have positive coping mechanisms to turn to, will often turn to drugs and alcohol to feel better. If your teen is struggling, check out the AscendantNY site and see what help they can offer your family.
Providing Opportunities for Children and Youth
With universal programs, sometimes provided through school, you can strengthen the skills of our youth. Teens that are empowered through programs that improve their coping skills and give them the support network they need are more likely to:
- Make healthy choices
- Be a leader and voice for change
- Advise their own community
- Promote respect and empathy
Promote Healthy Family Environments
When you talk about family, it is important to also talk about the role that they play in our development.
Family is a very important part of life, as it provides us with an environment where we can learn and grow as individuals. Having a strong relationship with your parents helps establish a healthy foundation for yourself in society.
Having a good relationship with your siblings can also help you be more willing to work together when the time comes for this.
Finally, being a good role model for your children will go a long way towards creating a healthy family environment that they can grow up in and succeed at school or work later on in life (depending on what career path they choose).
Society can go a long way in making sure that parents and children get the support they need early on by providing programs to teach and maintain skills for healthy environments.
Connect Youth to Caring Adults and Activities
Connect youth to caring adults and activities. Many children and youth are looking for a caring adult in their life.
Provide opportunities for them to meet others who will care about them and give them guidance, support, and encouragement.
Examples of such activities include mentoring, sports clubs, church groups, or any other activity that is suitable for the age group you want to reach.
These adults must be trained on how to interact with children so that they can provide appropriate guidance without being overbearing or discouraging.
Society needs to have more empathy with teenagers, instead of judging them.
To guide our teens, we need to understand their situation and provide them with opportunities. We also need to be more empathetic, understanding, and patient with their behavior.
As a society, we should strive towards being more inclusive rather than exclusive because being inclusive will end up benefiting everyone in the long run.
Communities can develop social and economic policies that reduce violence by promoting healthy and safe neighborhoods and providing community programs, outside of school, to support the youth.
Mentoring our youth is far more effective than judging them. Helping to provide a place for them to learn the skills we’d like to see and helping them navigate the social and emotional changes is far more beneficial than sitting on the sidelines.
Conclusion
It is not easy for teenagers to live in this society and have all these pressures on their shoulders.
They need our understanding and support rather than judgment as well as opportunities to explore themselves and find something that they love doing.
If we can create such an environment, then our society can only be be