Top 15 Common Social Problems Youth Face

Youth is perhaps the most memorable time in the life of an individual. Filled with fun, frolic, happiness and a combination of bitter sweet surprises, it is the time that most people cherish throughout life. Having fun with friends, chasing your dreams, wasting time and not regretting it, there is just too much to do, too much to live, too much to be happy about. However, since every coin has two sides, this beautiful phase co-exists with the various problems which are faced by youth of today, especially because of the society that we live in. Have a look to be acquainted with 15 of the most common problems that young people face because of the society.

1. Ragging in Schools and Colleges

Schools and Colleges are an integral part of every youngster’s life. However, for some the experience is fearsome; reason being, a bunch of bullies trying to get them. Bullying of children in schools and ragging by seniors in colleges are perhaps every freshman’s nightmare. This problem can be combated with courage and wisdom, the victim can simply report this matter to the police as ragging is illegal. In cases of bullying in schools, it is necessary that the matter should be reported to parents and teachers as soon as possible. Educational institutions are a place to learn, such evils should not ruin the decorum of the place.

2. Materialism

Being materialistic is perceived to be a personal issue, however, it is the society that promotes this materialistic nature. Imagine, if the world stopped giving more respect to people who have a bigger car, a better phone and more materialistic things, would you ever want to spend your money on things such as these? Probably not; one of the biggest reasons youngsters succumb to materialism is due to the expectations of the society. (A man with a BMW will generally be given more respect by others when compared to a man having a Maruti 800)

3. Racial Discrimination

Perhaps one of the most challenging things for a youngster is the problem of racial discrimination. Although it is acknowledged to be a wrong practice, the problem with our society is that it still exists in various forms. White people are generally considered to be superior than others, the logic behind this idea needs serious questioning.

4. Parental Pressure

Parents of most youngsters want them to pursue academic careers, if someone wishes to do something different (Such as Music and Fine Arts) the idea is ridiculed and in worst cases, suppressed. Moreover, there is always a comparison made between the children, every parent wants his/her child to be the best. This practice of comparison not only demoralizes the child but can also provoke the youngster to go to any extreme level to prove that he/ she is better than the others.

5. Drug Addiction

There are a lot of youngsters who fall prey to drug addiction. Too often, youngsters who fail to have a fulfilling life at home enter into this practice. Also, Societal pressure and depression are chief causes of drug addiction in teenagers.

6. LGBTQ Community Rights

People belonging to the LGBTQ Community are truly the worst sufferers in our society. Same sex marriages are illegal in most countries and acceptance of such couples is almost 0. There is an effort to give some recognition to transgenders, yet they are not accepted with much dignity in the society.

7. Premature Sex

A lot of teenagers start developing curiosity about sex due to hormonal changes. Since Sex education is low in most of the countries, out of this curiosity, some of them indulge in premature sex. Researches have shown that having sex in adolescence can have serious consequences on body and mind, this is because the act takes place when the nervous system is still developing. The effect may not be immediate but once the individual reaches adulthood, he/she can experience health issues.

8. Teenage Pregnancy

Premature Sex can often lead to teenage pregnancy, since both partners are not aware of the precautions that need to be taken while indulging in the act. Once this occurs, the whole life of the teenager changes. Although Teenage pregnancy is accepted in cultures where the girls are married off at a young age, for the rest part of the world, it is often unplanned. Most teenage mothers have to drop their education in order to take care of the child, even if they wish to continue, the academic performance isn’t up to the mark which puts their future in jeopardy. The child born of a teenage mother isn’t healthy too and is prone to lifelong medical conditions.

9. Unhealthy Lifestyle and Obesity

The hustle bustle of the society we live in, with parents working day and night to earn a decent living, the lifestyle of youngsters becomes quiet unhealthy. Since the parents don’t have enough time to devote to their children, many children end up having an unhealthy lifestyle, with reliance on junk or frozen food, too much T.V, little physical exercise etc. This results in obesity which is the cause of many diseases. Youngsters should make efforts to stay healthy, having a balanced diet and exercising regularly. It is important not only for physical fitness, but for mental development as well.

10. The ‘FUTURE’

When everything else fails, youngsters are scared by their very own parents or some other figures of authority in the name of their future. Not knowing what will happen the next minute, these authoritative figures simply start lashing out at youngsters by giving them such a terrible insight to their future that the youngster simply agrees to do whatever his / her elders say.

11. Time Management

Coping with the various expectations of the society, such as scoring well in college examinations, holding a job, having a good social life and so on makes life tough for youngsters as they face the problem of time management. There are only 24 hours in a day, and it is sad that a young person is expected to do so much in a limited time.

12. Clashes with Religion

There are a lot of young people out there who do not wish to accept things as they are. There are people who do not believe in the concept of religion; they wish to do as they please. They are governed by the principles of science rather than the principles of faith and destiny. Not only are these people ridiculed by the society, their own families tend to treat them as outcasts.

13. Divorced Parents

Splitting up of one’s parents is a traumatic experience for every child. Divorce causes a psychological unrest for the youngster and no matter who the youngster lives with, nothing can replace the experience of living in a loving happy family. A lot of youngsters enter into depression due to such conditions at home.

14. Lack of Sex Education

There is an ardent need of Sex Education for the youth all over the world. The basic aim of Sex Education is to educate children about their gender identity, physical changes that they undergo, sexual abuse, birth control, prevention of AIDs and STDs. It is not just about the physical act. It is essential that children are aware of these topics so that they are in a position to understand the way their body works and live in perfect harmony with their body and soul.

15. Obsession with the ‘Perfect Figure’

Physical fitness is good; however obsession with getting the perfect figure will make living freely miserable. It is not possible that every person has the perfect body. As a result, most girls start starving themselves to get a size 0 and boys work out day and night to get those six pack abs, the world is certainly hard on people who simply wish to enjoy life.

Hence, life of a youngster may seem to be absolutely spotless, but dig into the surface and you will find out almost every person has something or the other to worry about. The point is, why bother with these things at all? The world will judge you anyway, having a high notion of the self is more important.

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