ISSUES TEENAGERS’ FACE TODAY

Teenagers form the most of our active society today; they are greatly spoken of as they are very valuable to the world. Teens today are very different compared to those who lived 50 years ago. With the advancing world, technology and cultural changes, teens are highly affected. Their needs and wants have changed, their attitudes have changed and the way they look at life has taken a whole new turning point. Many teens are facing great difficulties with their growing years due to many reasons such as body image, schooling, jobs and weight problems.
Parents and teachers should help teens overcome these issues they face, so that they could live with much lesser stress. Help should be always provided to them even if they do not ask for it. Minds of teens are very fragile; they should be taken care of delicately. Teens with happier lives in their younger years grow up to be successful and lawful citizens. Problems faced by teenagers should be understood; help and advice should always be given by adults so they could choose the more correct and happier path in life.
Even though parents are blamed on the failure of their children, these kids are also faced with so many issues of life. No one is perfect, and no one can ever be perfect except God. But to some extent we are faced with the responsibilities of making sure we do not fail. The following are issues that teenagers face today:
Poverty: Life threatening poverty is not a condition that should be allowed to exist in the richest countries of the world. But poverty exists in many forms. The effects of poverty on teenagers who are developing through their teenage years depend on the type, length and condition of the poverty.
The overall concerns are the negative effects that poverty introduces during a time when teenagers are developing into adults. They are beginning to realize that much larger world exists and is worth their interest that they are responsible for the consequences of their actions and that there is less shelter from the truth when major events occur. Poverty can change, twist or arrest the physical, emotion and intellectual development into adulthood.
There are conditions of poverty that have existed since the teenager was born. Poverty is then seen as a fact of life which may not be something that can be changed. Hard work for survival is going to be an ongoing requirement. The “rules” apply differently to people who live in poverty. loyalty to the “rules” is conditional, based on whether survival or basic needs must be met. Simple things have far more values. The ability to work with other and to maintain a solid company of family and friend is essential to survival.
When a teenager is introduced to poverty later in life the maturation process may cease. Arrested development resulting from the painful events that cause a well off family to go into poverty is common. Unrequited rage at the unfairness in life, unresolved emotional issues, the potential for blaming others or blaming situations, inability to relate to others and problems with finding satisfaction in life can result. But if there has been a good work ethic, education ethic and other strong support a teenager who comes into poverty can become a successor highly motivated adult.
When poverty is a lifelong proposition it does not mean that a teenager will develop into a lesser form of human being. In fact, honour, values, belief and community structure can help to produce a very well formed individual under conditions that most of us would consider terrible. However lack of food, medical care and other horrific social condition may cause lifelong physical, emotional and intellectual impairments. Without a solid community and family structure, the overall consequences of lack of support, food and medical care causes preventable and inexcusable death.

The natural poverty that occurs when teenager leave home to make it on their own in the world is when we complete the process of becoming independent, responsible, functioning adults. When there is a strong functional family and good preparation for life, the odds of survival are greatly increased when there is serious family disorder, catastrophic disasters, or social upheavals which cause extreme poverty, the independent teenager can go astray and with the knowledge of “consequences” is still developing.

The widespread of ‘teen poverty’ across Nigeria has been on the rise with government often accused of not doing much to arrest it.

If you are conversant with Abuja, places like Deidei, Gwagwa, Karmo, Nyanya, Mararaba and Nugbe to mention but few, harbor this young teenager who uses poverty as an excuse to engage themselves in working as Bus Conductors, selling of pure water, Okpa and also serve as restaurant attendants. Parent should know that, failure to train their teenagers in a Godly way is a sin with or without money. Money should not be an excuse for your teen becoming nuisance in the society.

Sex: Sex is another serious issue that the teenagers face today. Basic sex education may be covered in schools, but your teen might not hear or understand everything he or she needs to know to make decisive choice about sex. This is where you come in as a parent. Uncomfortable as it may be, sex education is a parent’s responsibility.
Sex is a staple of news. It is often hard to avoid this ever present topic. But when parents and teens need to talk, it is not always so easy. If you wait for the perfect moment you might miss the best opportunity. However, think of sex education as an ongoing conversation between you and your teen. Parents should stop lying to their teen about sex. Here are some ideas to help you get started and keep the discussion going.

 Seize The Moment: When a TV program, movies, radio program or music video raises issues about sexual behaviour, use it as an opportunity for discussion. Remember that everyday moment such as watching TV program in the living room, cooking or even travelling sometimes offer the best opportunities to talk.

 Be Honest: If you are uncomfortable, say so but explain that it is important to keep talking. If you do not know how to answer your teens question offer to find the answer when next you meet to discuss. But make sure you apply wisdom. Make sure you used the word of God to backup your statement.

 Be Direct: Don’t beat about the bush, clearly state your feelings about specifics issues such as MouthAction and intercourse. Present the risks objectively including emotional pain, sexually transmitted infection and unplanned pregnancy. Explain that MouthAction is not a risk free alternative to intercourse. Make sure they also know the consequences of not obeying God’s word and command on fornication. This is very important.

 Consider Your Teens Point of View: Do not lecture your teen or rely on scare strategy to discourage sexual activities. Instead listen carefully. Understand your teen’s pressures, challenges and concerns, which will help you better in solving his/her problem.

 Move Beyond The Facts: Your teen needs accurate information about sex but it is just as important to talk about feelings, attitude and values. Examine questions of ethnics and responsibility in the context of your personal or religious beliefs.

 Invite More Discussion: Make your teen realize that it is normal to discuss with you issues of sex, whenever he or she has question or concerns. Reward question by saying “I am glad you came to me”. Make sure your teen feel at home and not be afraid to speak.
Sex education for teens includes abstinence, date rape, homosexuality and other tough topics. Be prepared for questions like these.
How will i know i am ready for sex? Various factors like, peer pressure, bullying, curiosity and loneliness to name a few steer some teenagers into early sexual activity. But there is no cause for a rush. Remind your teen that it is appropriate to wait. Sex is an adult behaviour; adults who are married.
What if my boyfriend or girlfriend wants to have sex, but i do not? Explain that no one should have sex out of wedlock, sense of obligation or fear. Any form of forced sex is a rape; if the perpetrator is a stranger or someone your teen has been secretly dating. Impress upon your teen that her NO should always mean No. Emphasize that having a boy or girl as a friend is not wrong but making the said person a sex partner is what makes it wrong. Let your teen know that bad friends can influence them into taking alcohol and drugs which may impair judgment and reduce self-consciousness, leading to situations in which date rape is more likely to occur. Moreover, their body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and must not be defiled.
POINT TO NOTE:
If your teen becomes sexually active either you think he or she is ready or not, it may be more important than ever to keep the conversation going. State your feelings openly and honestly. Remind your teen that you expect him or her to take sex and the associated responsibility seriously.

Stress the importance of abstinence and make sure your teen understand why he needs to avoid bad friends and how to overcome pressure from them. You might talk about dating at the right time and avoiding sexual activities not only as a matter of trust and respect but also to set and enforce reasonable boundaries such as embargos and rules about visits from friends of the opposite sex.
With your support, your teen can emerge into a sexually responsible adult. Be honest and speak from the heart. If your teen does not seem interested in what you have to say about sex, say it anyway. He or she is probably listening. With time he would appreciate your concern. If you fail to speak, when the child comes of age, he would hate you for your inaction. “Knowledge is like a garden; if it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested”. It is better to speak than to be silent.

Drug Abuse
Teen drug abuse can have a major impact on your teen’s life. Find out how your teen makes healthy choices and avoid drug abuse. Many teens experiment with drugs, putting their health and safety at risk – but teen drug abuse is not predictable. You can help prevent teen drug abuse by talking to your teen about the consequences of using drugs and the importance of making healthy choice.
Various factors may contribute to teen drug abuse from insecurity and self doubt to a desire for social acceptance and the desire to be bold by the shy ones. Teens often feel indestructible of their actions leading them to take potentially dangerous risk such as abusing legal or illegal drugs. When I was a teenager, most of my friends are either smokers or thugs (Agberos) coupled with my stubbornness I was suppose to be a drug addict deceived by my friends on several occasions. But thanks to my mother, who taught me good moral and spelt out the dangers of becoming a drug addict.
Listen to your teen’s opinion which may differ from your own and question about drug use. Encourage your teen to talk by asking open ended question such as “Tell me what you think…” your teen involvement in this discussion might give you a clue to what he has done or what he is about to do. Avoid scene tactics. Emphasize how drugs use can affect things important to your teen such as sport, health and appearance. Explain that even a teen can develop a drug problem.
Brain storm with your teen about how to respond to offers of drugs. Suggest that your teen try saying “No thanks” or “I don’t take drugs because it could destroy my career” your teen also might offer friends a socially acceptable alternative activity such as reading or taking part in sport.
Teen Smoking
Teen smoking is a big deal. After all, teens that smoke are likely to turn into adults who smoke. If you find your teen smoking, take it seriously. Ability to stop teen smoking in its tracks is the best way to promote a life time of good health. Teens in rural areas are often victims of early smoking due to the environment they found themselves.
You could simply tell your teen to stop smoking. It is an important message, but commands, threats are not likely to work. Instead of getting angry be interested and supportive. Ask your teens what made him or her start smoking. Perhaps your teen is trying to fit in at school or maybe your teen thinks that smoking will help relieve stress or pressure from his school mate. Often times, teen smoke in an attempt to feel cool or be classified as a big boy.
Once you understand why your teen smokes, you will be better equipped to address smoking as a potential problem as well as help your teen eventually stop smoking. Encourage your teen to share his or her concerns.
The consequence of smoking such as lung cancer, heart attack and stroke are real, they are probably beyond the reason of your teen’s concern. Rather than lecture your teen on the longtime dangers of smoking you might ask your teen what he or she considers the negative aspects of smoking. Once your teen has had his or her say, offer your own list of negatives. Consider appealing to your teen’s vanity.

As written by Peter Ufuoma Ibeh AKA Young Talent