As individuals grow and develop, they reach a stage where they have to enter adulthood, adolescent. The adolescent stage lasts for about a decade or more in which every independent child goes through; starting at about 9 years for girls a year or two earlier than boys and ending at around twenties. During this stage, many changes can be witnessed. These changes have numerous impacts on the individual’s social and mostly psychological wellbeing. Some common problems associated with this stage include emotional, social and psychological problems.
During this stage, the developing children tend to have an elevated level of interests among other things including sexual activity. According to research, 47% of adolescents have had sex, almost half the number of high school students. In most cases, lack of awareness which leads to poor outcomes, that is unwanted pregnancy. As a result, it may lead to school dropout especially among girls. More so, both genders due to their unsafe sexual behaviors, they tend to expose themselves to high risks of sexually transmitted infections thus putting their sexual health at risk (Kappeler, 2015).
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Also, during this stage, the individuals tend to develop a sense of belonging. It is at this stage that some individuals try to fit in groups, in most cases these groups never have a great impact on them. In this group's unworthy behaviors may arise such as substance abuse among others. It is reported that at least 35% consume alcohol (HHS.gov, n.d). Others may even start carrying weapons like guns, clubs, and knives, it is estimated that at least 18% of adolescents carried weapons to school (Kann, 2014). Some growing teenagers even get physical with each other thus inflicting damage upon themselves. All this among other unhealthy things is usually for the purpose of seeking recognition, to get a say within the society. Bullying is also experienced by adolescents who may be picked by their peers or others. During this stage, mental health is always at risk simply because depression can end up taking all from this developing group. It is estimated that at least 30% of the adolescents suffer from depression. Depression may arise due to bullying, peer pressure, and lack of identity among others, the result of this may be suicide among other health issues (HHS.gov, n.d).
Some common problems associated with the adolescent include emotional, social and psychological problems. At the adolescent stage, many changes are experienced within the body such as broadening of hips for girls and shoulders for boys. At this stage due to increased sexual interest, sexual health issues may affect most of the adolescent population, leading STIs infections and unwanted pregnancies. Joining groups may push them into starting unworthy behaviors such as bullying and weapon handling as well as substance abuse.
References
HHS.gov. (n.d). Office of Adolescent Health U.S. Department of Health & Human Services . Retrieved from https://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/facts-and-stats/picture-of-adolescent-health/index.html
Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin,S. L., Flint, K. H., Hawkins, J., Harris, W. A., … Zaza, S. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2013. (2014, June 13). Centers for Diseases Control. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Surveillance Summaries / Vol. 63 / No. 4.
Kappeler, E. M. (2015). Adolescent Health and Teen Pregnancy in the United States: A Progress Report. Public Health Reports , 130(3), 196–198. DOI: 10.1177/003335491513000304.
