What do you see are the main issues that you and other teens are dealing with today.
Teens
Answer:
- I think the main issue right now is
dealing with peer pressure on whether or not to drink or not…. and, how
much to drink in an environment where kids think everyone is doing it.
- I think the main issue that teens are
dealing with today is stress. We
have so much on our plates and there are so much expected of us. It is hard to handle sometimes, and
there is a lot of pressure.
- Teens definitely deal with a lot of
stress, from both their school and family.
- I think the main issue teen’s deal
with today is unrealistic expectations and contradicting pressures coming
from society (friends, family, schools, etc…)
- The main issue teens are dealing with
today is their workload. So many
teens don’t know how to deal with school, and that can cause a lot of
stress.
- I think teenagers today judge each
other too much. They need to accept
everyone for who they are.
- Pressure. Pressure to fit in which leads to peer
pressure with dealing with drinking and drug use. A lot of celebrities post on social
media glamorizing smoking or a certain body type; stick thin, blonde, beautiful…. this
leaves us all fighting for perfection.
- The main issue teens are dealing with
today is finding a college and a job.
So many kids have trouble deciding what they want to do in the
future because so much is dependent on the things we are doing right now –
in high school. Because of this
stress teens might turn to drugs or alcohol. And if children are not born into a good
environment, the might not think they can get into college, find a job,
and end making poor decisions with devastating outcomes.
- Stress, both with school and family. I feel like friends and relationships
should help with stress, but actually I think at times they add to the
stress.
What do
you think could be done about it? What
would you do to change it if you could?
Teens Answer:
- I would try to alert teens that
drinking is really not that “cool” and that everyone is NOT doing it.
- I think it is good to talk about it
when you’re feeling overwhelmed. I
would like to see more people at school available to talk to or teach us
how to deal with stress that would be good.
- I would like to see less pressure on
teens to be “perfect”. Don’t tell
them “To get into to a good school you must take three AP classes.” I would also like to see more assemblies
on Teen Mental Health. This could
really help parents and teachers and give them some idea of what to look
for and what to do for teens.
- I would educate teens as best as
possible and let them make decisions based on truthful information. Especially when drugs, alcohol, sex,
cheating, bullying, etc… all of teen issues we face are involved.
- I would like everyone to understand
that Teens need to handle only what they know they can handle. More guidance can be shown/given to
teens that need it, to better handle their issues.
- I think it would be great if speakers
came to schools to tell kids NOT to judge others and do exercises to help
us learn more about each other.
- I think it would make an impression on
teens if the people with the most power or impact in the world made wiser
decisions. If I could change it, I
would have it be where everyone is their own definition of perfection, and
are okay just being themselves.
- If I could do something I would make
the college application process less competitive and stressful for
students.
- Mostly I just listen to music, talk to
my friends, and watch Netflix. When
I’m really stressed, a long day with Netflix is a way to escape everything
else. Sometimes I start at 9:00 AM
and finish in the afternoon.
- If I could change anything it would be
the level of stress. I try to do
this by just being positive. When
I’m not, I get more stressed and worried.
We just have to try to make the best of what we have.
Do you
think teens are really heard on important issues by adults; your parents,
schools, the community? Who do you think
acts upon your thoughts and ideas? Who
does not? How does that make you feel?
Teens
Answer:
- I feel like teens are sometimes heard
but the problems that they are bringing up are not addressed. They are more or less downplayed by
parents. I think the Counselors do
a better job of listening.
- Some teens are heard by their parents,
but I don’t necessarily think that teens are heard by the school or the
community. Personally my parents
listen and act upon my thoughts and ideas.
They are great! They help me
when I’m stressed. I don’t always
think the schools act upon it.
- I don’t think teens are listened to at
all. Personally, I want to talk
about important issues with my family and it takes a lot for them the take
me seriously. I feel like I’m pushed
to the side because I am younger.
- I personally don’t feel like teens
opinions are heard. Adults in
positions of authority write-off our opinions usually because we’re young…
so what do we know? Some
organizations that are teen based and acknowledge our opinions and views
make it possible for us to be heard and act upon what we think.
- I believe teens are heard to an
extent. Parents will listen to
their kids, if they think they’re trustable. Teachers will listen to kids if they are
serious. The community will
listen, if kids make an effort to be heard and share their thoughts.
- I do think they are heard. But, one issue I have is then what do
adults do with the information? I
don’t think they actually take action and try to resolve the problems.
- I so think teens are heard but only a
handful. I don’t think everyone
will listen to us simple because of our age. To some adults, we know nothing and
should not have a say.
- I don’t think that adults really
listen to teens because they think we are too young and inexperienced to
have good ideas or real thoughts.
This is frustrating because if adults think we have enough
responsibility to decide on things like college, future, career paths,
they should also be listening to our thoughts and ideas on life.
- I think adults only hear what they
want to hear. There are very few
people who I actually trust and tell my problems to. Honestly, I’m afraid of disappointing my
parents…. and it makes me sad not to be able to talk to and trust those
who are there the most in my life.
Looking to
the rest of the year ahead, what are you MOST looking forward to and what are
your resolutions?
Teens
Answer:
- I am really looking forward to
narrowing where I want to go to college and where I play tennis at. I am also looking forward to more events
with the YAB!
- I am looking forward to exploring
colleges and my future! My
resolution is to drink more water J
- I want to increase mine and other teen’s
self-love.
- Some of my resolutions for this
year: Call my sister in college,
once a week. Read two books a
month. Take more pictures. Exercise every day.
- I am looking forward to a positive,
more enjoyable year! One resolution
for me is to not let stress get in my way!
- I look forward to learning new things
and gaining a new perspective of the world around me.
- I am looking forward to new beginnings
along with meeting new people. My
resolution is to stay happy with how I am J
- My resolution is to be healthy both
physically and mentally.
- My resolution is to stay positive and
open-minded. I will try some new things
and look at situations for the positives I can see.
#livedrugfree#what'syourinfluence?#mychoicemylife#lifeaheadlooksgood
