What are American Teen Issues?

American teenagers face many issues throughout their development. Even if teenagers come from a stable family background, the same confusion and problems will face them. Many teens take on more than they can handle. Talk to your teen to help her know that she can feel safe while you guide her through her worries.

Violence

• Cyberbullying makes bullying easier amongst teens.

  Teen violence includes gang activities, bullying and electronic aggression. Teens may see shootings, stabbings and beatings on their school premises. While males predominantly bully their peers physically, girls increasingly use bullying as a way to inflict emotional pain. Teenagers and even preteens have seen an increase in electronic aggression, which includes cyberbullying and Internet bullying, states the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Suicide

• Suicide afflicts the youth.

  In a report by the CDC, 15 percent of children through grades 9-12 considered suicide. Youth 10-24 account for 149,000 self-inflicted injuries yearly within the United States. Boys die more from suicides than girls; though girls attempt suicides more often than boys. Minority groups such as Hispanics and American Indians attempt suicide more than Caucasian youth. Contributing factors of suicide include alcohol and drug use, a history of suicide attempts and depression.

Drugs and Alcohol

• Teens find new ways to get high.

  Teens may experiment with drugs and alcohol due to a need for social acceptance. Teens consume alcohol more than any other illicit substance, notes the CDC. Though teens commonly use illegal drugs such as marijuana, prescription drug use has increased. Teens sometimes abuse prescription medications that include Percocet, Vicoden and Xanax. Teens also use cold medications containing dextromethorphan to get high.

Teen Pregnancy

• Teen pregnancy affects the mother.

  Teen girls 15-19 accounted for 39.1 births out of 1,000 within the United States in 2009. Pregnant teen girls face many issues, such as health complications and socioeconomic consequences. Teen girls experience preterm labor more than pregnant adult women. Some teen girls drop out of school, with only 50 percent of them receiving a diploma.

STDs

• The lack of protection places teens at a higher risk.

  Teenagers place themselves at a higher risk of developing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) due to having sex at a younger age. Many teens don't use protection. Teens can spread STDs without even realizing they're infected. The most common STDs include chlamydia and gonorrhea.