Social issues: Figure it out

Social issues can be define as hindrance in our daily lives, it influences a considerable number of individuals that may lead them unproductive in doing things they're interested with. It may be an aspect of society that people are concerned about and would like to get it changed. Social issues are usually from diverse opinions of society on what is told as the standard to follow. The concern of a social issue may be objective or subjective. It doesn't necessarily refers to a problem to be solved, but a topic to be discussed.

CAUSES:

There are many causes of the social issues. Social issues arise due to inequalities in society. Different individuals and different societies may have different perceptions about a problem giving rise to a social issue. There can be disagreements about which social issue is important and worth solving, or which should take precedence.

Here are some social problems teens struggle with every day.

DEPRESSION

According to The National Institute of Mental Health, an estimated 3.2 million adolescents in the United States had at least one major depressive episode in 2017. That means about 13% of teenagers may experience depression before reaching adulthood.

Depression can be a threat because it targets the mental health of a person which may cause them to harm their selves. It is a serious topic to discuss especially most victims of depression are teenagers. For me parents should always monitor their children so that they would know what their children been through and at the same time find a solution to prevent them from dangerous acts. I also experience depression way back 2017, and honestly it was not easy to deal with specially no one understands me. It's hard for me to cope up and be healthy mentally when no one's interested in things I want to express, what I did since no one's listening I just write all my rants in life and cry before sleep. I always felt alone that time and I started to walk away from my friends because they really don't understand what I've been through and I put in mind that maybe they're really not friends after all. Fortunately this time, I find one person who listens and understands whenever I'm having a mental breakdown and also he's the only person that never left me in times I'm in need.

THINGS TO DO:

Depressive disorders are treatable, but it's important to seek professional help. If your teen seems withdrawn, experiences a change in his sleep patterns, or starts to perform badly in school, schedule an appointment with your teen's physician or contact a mental health professional. Do not delay getting help for your teen if you notice these symptoms because if it will not be treated right away it may gotten worse that will lead them to death.

BULLYING

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 20% of teens in the U.S. experienced bullying in 2017. One explanation the research has cited for this is the rise of social media use by teens, which has made bullying much more public and more pervasive. In fact, cyberbullying has replaced bullying as the common type of harassment that teens experience.

Personally, I experienced bullying when I was in highschool. My classmates often call me names that are based on my physical appearance. I admit that I'm not the standard but it doesn't mean I don't deserve the respect what beautiful girls have. From that time I felt insecure and wish to have a pretty face to gain respect. It also leads me to depression, I cannot tell my mom about it because I don't want her to worry so I just endure the pain it cause me.

THINGS TO DO:

Talk to your teen about bullying regularly. Discuss what they can do when they witnesses bullying and talk about options if they become a target themselves. Being proactive is key to helping your child deal with a bully.

It's also important to talk to your child about when and how to get help from an adult. Remind them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness, but instead a show of courage. Talking about how someone has humiliated them is never an easy topic.

SEXUAL ACTIVITY

Based on the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance data, 39.5% of high school students reported being sexually active. That means sexual activity had declined slightly over the past decade.

Nowadays teenage pregnancy is rising because lack of knowledge. Teenagers should go to school in order to have information about sexual activities and through that, they would truly understand that in every action there should be a consequence. This issue could be worsen and turn into poverty if they will keep on dealing activities like this.

THINGS TO DO:

Parents may not be aware that their children are sexually active, however. Talk to your teen about sex, even if you don't think your child is engaging in sexual activity.

ACADEMIC PROBLEMS

About 5% of high school students drop out of high school each year in the United States, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. A high school dropout is likely to earn $200,000 less over his lifetime when compared to a high school graduate, which can have a significant impact on a young person's future.

But, it's no longer just the "troubled teens" who are dropping out of school. Some teens feel so much pressure to get into a good college that they're burning themselves out before they graduate from high school. Stay involved in your teen's education. Provide support and guidance and be ready to assist your teen if he encounters problems.

PEER PRESSURE

While peer pressure isn't a new issue, social media brings it to a whole new level. Sexting, for example, is a major cause for concern as many teens do not understand the lifelong consequences that sharing explicit photos can have on their lives. But sharing inappropriate photos is not the only thing kids are being pressured into doing.

More and more kids are being pressured into having sex, doing drugs, and even bullying other kids. To keep your kids from falling victim to peer pressure, give them skills to make healthy choices, and to resist peer pressure. Also, talk to teens about what to do if they make a mistake.

Sometimes, kids can make poor choices and may be too afraid to seek help. Make sure your kids are not afraid to come to you when they make a mistake. Demonstrate that you can listen without judging or overreacting and instead find healthy ways for them to make amends and move on.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter can be great ways for teens to connect with one another; but social media can be problematic for several reasons. For instance, social media can expose your teen to cyberbullying, slut-shaming, and so much more.And, while there are some benefits to social media, there are a lot of risks as well.

Social media can have a negative impact on friendships and is changing the way teens date. It can even impact their mental health. But, no matter what precautions you take, teens are still likely to be exposed to unsavory people, unhealthy images, and sexual content online.

THINGS TO DO:

Help your child learn how to navigate social media in a healthy way. Talk about ways to stay safe online. And most importantly, know what your teen is doing online. Educate yourself about the latest apps, websites, and social media pages teens are using and take steps to keep your teen safe. You may even want to take steps to limit your teen's screen time.