Title: 
Problems Facing Today's Teens

Word Count:
405

Summary:
Teen problems are growing.  If you think that being a teen today is the same as it was when you were in their shoes, you are probably mistaken.  Now, listen to yourself say how strict and how hard life was when you where young.


Keywords:
teens,problems,struggling teens,troubled teens


Article Body:
Teen problems are growing.  If you think that being a teen today is the same as it was when you were in their shoes, you are probably mistaken.  Now, listen to yourself say how strict and how hard life was when you where young.  But, you need to realize that teens today face huge, life threatening decisions just about ever day.  What they face has a lot to do with where they grow up.  Yet do not be fooled into thinking that your child is safe.

In the normal course of your teen's day, he or she may face any of these things; one or more of them.

<b><u>Drugs.</u></b>  Think that drugs are simple like they used to be?  They are not.  Kids today are not just smoking the easy stuff.  They are into crack or other strong and deadly drugs.

<b><u>Sex.</u></b>  Not only are they exposed to it on the television, but they are encouraged by others.  They may be engaging in sexual acts that you have never heard of.  They may be doing it unprotected as well.  At school, after school, on the car ride home - there are many opportunities you do not realize.  Teens get pregnant and have babies.

<b><u>Violence.</u></b>  Today's teen problems often revolve around violence.  They see friends with guns at school or after school.  They witness huge fights.  They hear threats.  They see anger and deal with it daily.

<b><u>Depression.</u></b>  With all that they see and do, teens face depression today at an alarming rate as compared to just a decade ago.  Depression is not something that just goes away, but can cause them harm and threaten their lives.

<u><b>Driving.</b></u>  Teens drive drunk.  Teens drive under the influence of drugs.  Teens get in cars that others are driving under the influence.  Teens may also be responsible drivers, but share the road with those that are not.

Teen problems that are at a lower level can be just as deadly.  They face lying, cheating, emotional trauma, learning disabilities and divorce.  All of these things a child will face daily in some cases.  In those cases, it is no wonder that they have low self esteems, high drop out rates and some of the students will break under the pressure.  Teen problems should be addressed and noticed by their parents first.