Posted: August 1st, 2023

Specific Issues Facing American Youth

the topic is “discuss the specific issues facing american youth”
Specific Issues Facing American Youth
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Introduction
Over time, there has been an increasing skepticism in the United States on the capacity of social programs, especially the publicly funded ones, to handle the challenges and prospects of its country’s youth (Youth Development Directions (YDD) Project., 2013). While this trend is problematic, other issues exacerbate the challenges, including the increasing number of high-profile events involving deadly violence and young individuals. Notably, the growing trend involves young individuals who are not poor, not from the minority groups nor originating from central cities (Youth Development Directions (YDD) Project., 2013). Also, the global economy demands have become more rigorous and less forgiving of individual flaws and mistakes. The transition into adulthood is more complicated, with success’s requirements increasing significantly and strictly.
American Youth Challenges
One of the challenges faced by American youth is the lack of good employment opportunities. American youth face a dire unemployment challenge that becomes work for the people of color (Steinberg, 2013). It is challenging for a young person to find gainful employment that could support their economic advancement. While other developed countries have been able to keep lower unemployment rates for their young individuals, the United States unemployment rate is around 16.2%, demonstrating that the former homelands are implementing the right measures to keep it low compared to overall unemployment (Steinberg, 2013). Notably, the high unemployment rates have dire consequences for the youth as they are robbed of opportunities to gain the knowledge, skills, experiences, and networks that would translate into higher earnings. A young person finds oneself extensively squeezed, trying to get a better education while catering for health expenses, energy bills, youth loans, among other accounts.
The second challenge is related to alcohol and drug abuse. Over recent years, there has been an increased use of various substances such as marijuana, nicotine, alcohol, among other substances (Desilver, 2020). American society is increasingly becoming complex such that young persons find it difficult to have constant support systems that offer guidance on various issues. The youth have more time to themselves, and with increased access to these substances, the youth extensively utilize their substances with no moderation. The increased use becomes an addiction that prompts both crime and violence as they seek ways to satisfy their insatiable need for the substances. The American society has a more significant challenge of its youth being addicts to drug abuse and increased crime rates involving the youth.
Another challenge arises from the societal pressures that have been dictated through social media platforms. Social media platforms are being used by various persons to illustrate how they are enjoying their lives (Youth Development Directions (YDD) Project., 2013). Not many of them choose to showcase their family challenges, individual challenges, or community problems. Ther youth will face materialism pressures, and others are continuously bullied for their physical nature, leading to extensive psychological issues among the youth. It is common to find youth suffering from anxiety, depression, negative stereotyping, low self-esteem, and maladaptive coping strategies (Desilver, 2020). These individuals find it challenging to engage in activities that will benefit their lives for fear of being judged wrongly or not fitting in the present groups. Therefore, rather than having a youth population working on being creative and innovative in their various abilities, their mental capacities have been limited by societal pressures.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, the challenges faced by American youth result in even more significant challenges due to the society failing to bring in measures top handle them in their initial stages. It is prudent that the right economic and social programs are implemented to alleviate the challenges faced by these individuals.

References
Desilver, D. (2020, May 30). The concerns and challenges of being a U.S. teen: What the data show. Retrieved from https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/02/26/the-concerns-and-challenges-of-being-a-u-s-teen-what-the-data-show/
Steinberg, S. A. (2013, April 5). The high cost of youth unemployment. Retrieved from https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2013/04/05/59428/the-high-cost-of-youth-unemployment/
Youth Development Directions (YDD) Project. (2013). Youth Development: Issues, Challenges, and Directions. A Publication of Public/Private Ventures. Retrieved from https://positiveyouthjustice.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/ydd2000.pdf

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