The Causes of Teen Pregnancy, Violence, and Drug Abuse Essay -- Exposi

The Causes of Teen Pregnancy, Violence, and Drug Abuse The headlines proclaimed the controversial news race, poverty, and single-parents were NOT the irrevocable harbingers of drug abuse, young pregnancy, and violence. Instead, researchers were claiming that behaviors that parents and teens could influence -- such as problems at school and the amount of time spent hanging out with friends and the type of friends they chose -- could hollo trouble. Some cynics speculated that this was a rightfield conspiracy to justify abolishing federal programs for the poor. Some assumed that the media, always keen for a dog bites man story, had oversimplified research results to get a newsworthy run bite. On the other hand, some youth advocates welcomed the idea that impoverished minority youth with single parents didnt necessarily have three strikes against them. This study, The Effects of Race/Ethnicity, Income, and Family social organization on Adolescent Risk Behaviors, by Robert Blum, MD. has important implications for all parents and adults who work with youth. The study examines the extent to which race and ethnicity (white, black, or Hispanics), income (6 categories, ranging from $10,000 or less to $61,000 or more), and single-parent homes (i.e., family structure) predict several specific problem behaviors among middle school students and among high school students- Smoking - Alcohol consumption - Suicidal thoughts or attempts - Weapon-related violence - Ever had knowledgeable intercourse (yes/no) These were measured as a continuous range of behaviors, except for sexual intercourse. The results show that race, income, and family structure each influence many of these problem behaviors. I... ... statistics, you willing realize that a white teen from a middle-class two-parent family is almost as likely to get into trouble (or stay out of trouble) as a Black or Hispanic teen from a poor single-parent home. This report should encourage parents of disadvantaged minority students, and the teachers and other adults who work with them, because it indicates some important influences that rotter be modified to help these children. On the other hand, it provides a real wake-up call for white, suburban families who think their children are immune from serious problems. And, it helps explain wherefore substance abuse and tragic violence can occur even in seemingly safe, middle class communities.Source CitedBlum, Robert, MD. The Effects of Race/Ethnicity, Income, and Family organise on Adolescent Risk Behaviors American Journal of Public Health December 2000.