Risk-Taking Behavior Among Adolescents Adolescence is the transition period betw

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Risk-Taking Behavior Among Adolescents

Adolescence is the transition period between childhood and adulthood. During this transition, adolescents develop their own sense of identity independent of their caregivers. Relationships with caregivers, teachers, and peers can have an impact on the types of behaviors in which an adolescent engages. In order to establish their sense of identity, adolescents often have to try out new roles and new experiences associated with more adult behaviors, which can sometimes translate into adolescent risk-taking. The personal fable and imaginary audience can contribute to the willingness to engage in risky behavior. A personal fable is when an individual believes he/she is the only one experiencing a feeling; such as, his/her parents do not understand what they are going through. Adolescents preoccupied in their peer groups sometimes develop imaginary audiences because they believe others are constantly judging them. Culture and gender also influence how the adolescent perceives risk-taking behavior. While risk-taking behavior is predominantly perceived as unwanted dangerous behavior, it is not necessarily so. Sexual expression among adolescents need not result in pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, just as concerns with physical appearance do not always lead to eating disorders or depression.

For this Discussion, you will examine risk-taking behaviors by adolescents.

1. Post a description of two adolescent risk-taking behaviors.

2. For each behavior, provide two sources of influence.

3. Then, describe general strategies for mitigating negative risk-taking behavior and explain why you selected these strategies.

4. Justify your response with citations from the Learning Resources/literature. Use proper APA format and citations.

Explanation / Answer

Adolescence is the tme of transformation in many areas of individual's life.In the middle of these rapid growing changes(physical ,emotional and social). At this stage,boys and girls begin to critisize usual family habits, insist on spending time with peers with less supervision. They also focus greately on their appearance and may question previously accepted family values.

During adolescence,peer group plays a very important role in their lives and replace family over friends as the focus of social and leisure activities.Reasonable Risk-taking is a necessary endeavour in adolescence, leading to confidence both in forming new relationships and social situations. But it has also serious negative consequences,however,can take many forms, including Drug and Alcohol use, unsafe Sexual practices,Self injurious behaviours and reckless driving.

Based upon the statistical data, it has been found that the National average Age at which americans begin Drinking regurlarly is 15.9 years of age. Each day more than 4000 teenagers try their first cigarette and another 2000 become regular, daily smokers. About 6% of 12th graders report daily use of marijuana. About 13% of high school seniors use cocaine. .

Sexual experimentation in early adolescence often begins with fantasy and masturbation. Estimates vary, but about 50% of 9th to 12th grade students reported having had sexual intercourse. Adolescence younger than age 18 years account for 20% of arrests for sexual offences.

The safety of young people is a community concern,not soley a matter of individual choice. However interventions that help young people learn to make better choices can be an effective component of of a larger commitment to youth development and healthy communites.The following strategies can be used by parents,youth professionals and communities to keep young people safe and help them to make better choices.

1. Support and make strong family functioning.

2.Increase connections between students and their school.

3.make communities supportive and safe for children and youth.

4.Promote involvement in high quality out-of-school time program.

5.Promote the development of sustained relationships with caring adults.

6.Provide children and adolescents opportunities to social and emotional competence.

7.Give high quality education during early and middle childhood.

(ethically,cannot provide the references or resources of the literature).

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