Challenges Teens Face Today

The most common challenges that teens face today are self esteem and body image, stress, bullying, depression, cyber addiction, drinking and smoking, teen pregnancy, underage sex, child abuse, peer-pressure and competition, and eating disorders. All these are somehow connected to one another. Like a “chain reaction”. This connection starts with teens feeling low self-esteem due to their body image. This leads to eating disorders. They begin to feel stressed and are exposed to peer pressure and can experience child abuse at home. In order to relieve this stress some teens get involved in smoking and drinking. Other teens get into video games, running away, and chatting online with strangers. This becomes an addiction. They can become targets to online predators. Teens who cannot find love and comfort at home or school build relationships with other people. This can lead to underage sex and possible teens pregnancy. Other teens can become addicted to drugs, others harm themselves, and others turn to crime. Challenges that i personally face aren't huge ones. Stress is something that occurs a lot. The reason for that stress is school, which really isn't bad because it’s for a good cause. To better myself. The way i deal with this is by taking in between breaks when doing homework and such. Having other interest such as hobbies and sports also helps a lot with stress. Another challenge that i can face sometimes is peer-pressure. I do have some friends who can sometimes do bad things and want me to be included. I know right from wrong so i am able to stop myself from participating in certain things.Being a CTR person is something that really does help with certain challenges. When you choose the right you don't get yourself into any trouble. You keep yourself on the right track. You want what is wrong and right so you can stop yourself from getting into anything bad. You are aware of your actions unlike others. The way you can help other teens overcome their challenges is by proving them with guidance. Since you know what is right you lead them. Give them your opinions. They are in a place where they are unaware of their choices and can really use help.

Reflection: What is the greatest need that teens have?

I think that what teens have a need for most is attention. All the most common challenges teens face today are because they aren't receiving much attention at home. If they felt that they had attention and love and support most of these things would not happen. I'm sure every teen who faces those problems wants attention. They want it so much and are showing it with those actions yet adults fail to realize it. They realize when it's far too late, when their is already so much damage.