Newsletter

            Eight teenagers in Florida were arrested in April for violently beating a fellow student and filming the criminal act to post on You Tube.  The victim was treated for a concussion and numerous bruises and the attackers were arrested. Today these types of acts are popular amongst teenagers, who want their footage to be seen on sites like You Tube. Why are teenagers involved in these types of activities? The answer is peer pressure. 

Peer pressure is a term describing the pressure exerted by a specific group that encourages a person to change their attitude, behavior, and morals. Today teens are having more sex, gaining easy access to prescription drugs, and having violent tendencies towards one another. These problems all stem from problems at home and peer pressure from society. Teens affected by peer pressure are sometimes forced into bad situations that can easily be avoided.

When it comes to the topic of sex, teens are already participating in this popular activity. A recent CNN report stated that 1 in 4 teen girls have an STD. The study also showed that more than 3 million teens in America currently have an STD.  This problem is higher in the African-American community, where 50% have a virus that has been linked to cervical cancer.  This problem has spread rapidly because many students are not aware of the STDs, and many doctors are reluctant to discuss these matters because of confidentially issues between teens and their parents.  How can this problem be resolved when many teens are being forced into sexual intercourse with other students?  Teens need to understand that having sex, especially unprotected, is a huge risk they should avoid.  Teens also need to be aware that practicing abstinence is not a bad idea. With STDs on a rise, maybe sex should be the last thing on their minds.

The government has also realized that these issues can no longer be ignored and are working on the Responsible Education About Life Act. The REAL Act would provide states with funding for programs to fix some of these issues facing young Americans in our community. The REAL Act will make it easier to provide information in schools about abstinence, contraception, and condoms.

Peer pressure causes extreme drug usage in teens, but I do not mean illicit drugs. Drugs such as cocaine, marijuana, and heroine have seen a tremendous drop in usage but ecstasy is still being used regularly.  Teenagers are also gaining easy access to prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication at an alarming rate. Sometimes parents are not aware that their teenagers are abusing these drugs until it’s too late. OxyCotin and Vicodin are two of the most popular prescription drugs amongst teens because of the “high” effect received from taking one pill. Teenage boys have been suspected in using anabolic steroids to enhance their strength while participating in school sports and activities.  You can soon see students who perform in school sports tested for these types of drugs.

The pressure teens face from society in 2008 is definitely a long term problem because these teenagers will eventually become adults in our community. What does their future hold? With STDs on the rise, violence all over, and excessive drug use, can teens truly stay focused? Questions only teenagers and their parents can answer; but are they willing to take the necessary steps and precautions to avoid constant peer pressure from society. I guess only time will tell.