ISSUES AFFECTING TEENAGERS
In this modern society of ours, the common issue affecting teenagers is the use of drugs. Being a teenager is undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods of life. It is a stage of identity crisis – knowing oneself compared to losing oneself. To belong and being acknowledged in a group is very important.
During these periods of growing up, youths come across their share of positive and negative experiences. Peer pressure, curiosity, and the availability of drugs are factors that some youthful and vulnerable teenagers have to deal with in their juvenile lives.
One of the major reasons of teenage drug use is peer pressure, particularly from the social influences among friends, associates, school, and the community. Depending on the person’s experiences and choices, conditions and outcomes may vary. If a teenager’s social main group is using drugs, then there may be a strong pressure due to the fact that drugs are present and can easily be offered. Also, the person might get convinced to think that there is nothing wrong with trying drugs because “everyone is doing it.” In the effect that teenagers will try drugs just to fit in the social norms, they might do it to impress their friends to be deemed “cool” as part of being in the group and gain acceptance by friends.