Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Adolescents

Growing up is a demanding and challenging task for every adolescent. One important aspect is forming one's sexual identity. All children explore and experiment sexually as part of normal development. This sexual behavior may be with members of the same or opposite sex. For many adolescents, thinking about or experimenting with people of the same sex may cause concerns regarding their sexual orientation.

Homosexuality is the persistent sexual and emotional attraction to someone of the same sex. It is part of the range of sexual expression. Homosexuality has existed throughout history and across cultures. Many gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals first become aware of and experience their sexual thoughts and feelings during childhood and adolescence. Being gay , lesbian , or bisexual isn't something new. For years people have been trying to fight the fact that this is their life and noone can change it. Some may believe you are born this way and others may believe that you make this change because of things that have happened when you were younger as in childhood trauma. Gays . lesbians , and bisexuals are not accepted in today's world because people believe that it is wrong and unmoral. I think that you are what you are and you can't change that. It's hard for these people because they try to make the best out of life but they are denied rights just because of what they believe in. Parents also need to realize that if you against your child being a homosexual then it doesn't help them at all. It's tough enough that they had to come out to the people that they love , knowing that their parents don't accept it makes it even more tough. Help your children out when they come to you with this it'll make their lives so much better!

teen violence

Teen violence is real , and is a big part of a teenagers life in the society we live in today. It can include things like dating someone who is violent , who slaps them around frequently to other teens in school beating them. Your child sees violence in their school everyday; many teens are using drugs and alcohol and become very depressed. This can be dangerous because they are not thinking clearly and may bring a gun or knife to school. If teen is in a bad enough state they could shoot other students or themselves, or maybe a teacher that they feel has been unfair to them. Depression can cause anyone to become violent especially a teenager.

Gang violence among teens is a growing concern; teens in this situation are subject to being shot at, stabbed, or beaten to death. Teens that are involved in gangs are more likely to commit a violent act towards another person, possibly even killing them. The longer a child lives in this type of environment, the more violent they may become. Teens also see violence in their homes, they may see one parent beaten and abused by the other, and sometimes one of the parents may be guilty of beating their teen. Maybe the other parent is unaware of what is going on or is too afraid to do anything about it. This type of teen violence is not uncommon in today’s society.

The best way to help prevent teen violence is by not allowing it in your home, treat each other, including your teen with respect and courtesy. By doing this you set good examples for your teen, these examples will help teach your teen how to treat others with respect. Talk to your teenager; let them know you understand there is a lot of violence surrounding them. Let your teen know you will be there, and be supportive if they ever need you. Try and stay a part of your teen’s life, and if you notice any odd behavior, talk with your child letting them know you are there for them.

suicide in teens

When a teen commits suicide , everyone is affected. Family members , friends , teammates , neighbors , and sometimes even those who didn't know the teen well might experience feelings of grief , confusion , guilt , and the sense that if only they had done something differently , the suicide could have been prevented.

The reasons behind a teen's suicide or attempted suicide can be complex. Although suicide is relatively rare among children, the rate of suicides and suicide attempts increases tremendously during adolescence. Suicide is the third-leading cause of death for 15- to 24-year-olds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), surpassed only by accidents and homicide.he risk of suicide increases dramatically when kids and teens have access to firearms at home, and nearly 60% of all suicides in the United States are committed with a gun. That's why any gun in your home should be unloaded, locked, and kept out of the reach of children and teens. Ammunition should be stored and locked apart from the gun, and the keys for both should be kept in a different area from where you store your household keys. Always keep the keys to any firearms out of the reach of children and adolescents.

Suicide is a serious subject and should be watched over at all times.

Pregnancy at a young age

Teen pregnancy is one of the most difficult experiences a young person might ever face when it interrupts school or other plans. It can create an emotional crisis resulting in feelings of shame and fear, and it may appear that you will crumble under pressures in your environment. The stress of how you are going to break this news to your parents might be even greater, and finding help may seem an impossible task. You might think no one can help you, or you might be too embarrassed to search for help. However, denying the pregnancy or ignoring it can only make things worse for you and your baby. Denial will not take the pregnancy away; instead, you will lose the time you could have invested in prenatal care and counseling. You have options, and making a choice may be simple or difficult, depending on your situation.Girls these days need to know that there is things out there to prevent pregnancy and its not acceptable at a young age to be walking around with a child when you are still indeed a child! Think twice about the choices you make.

teen drinking

The effects of teen drinking can be very serious. Fortunately , teenage alcohol use is on the decline. Still , it is a problem of note with three out of four high school students reporting that they have consumed an alcoholic beverage prior to graduating high school.

The most serious effects of teenage drinking is that it leads to adult dependence. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism reports that teens who start drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to develop an alcohol addiction than those who do not begin drinking before the legal age of 21. Drinking and driving is another danger of teenage alcohol use. Forty percent of all alcohol-related fatal car crashes involve teens. Teens may not realize they are too impaired to drive, or they may be afraid to call home for a ride. Regardless of the reason, teens that drink often drive while under the influence. Alcohol may also serve as a “gateway drug” into more serious drug use. Once teens have decided alcohol use is acceptable, they may feel other drugs are okay as well. Impaired judgment may also lead to the experimentation with other drugs. Teen alcohol use nearly always causes poor performance in school, if the teen is using on any kind of a regular basis. Teens who use alcohol have trouble concentrating in class and on assignments. They also have difficulty with peer relationships and with relationships with teachers and other authority figures. Teen alcohol use also causes family problems. Teens who use alcohol may withdraw from the family and have difficulty with family relationships. They may demonstrate behavioral problems as well. Teen drinking is just a way to run from problems you may be experiencing in your life at the moment. It's nothing that you should be doing all the time because it WILL ruin your life. No one wants to grow up an alcoholic or have the life that they shouldn't have. So think twice before you make the choices that you make.

teen struggles - eating disorders

One of the most stressful times in someones life is when they enter adolescence. This is a time when they discover who they are , who they want to be , they want to be independent , they are establishing friendship , and their bodies are beginning to develop. For many entering puberty can be very emotional , stressful , confusing , and a frightening time. Some change from childhood to adolescence with few to minor problems , but some develop eating disorders as a way to cope. Some may enter into puberty early and be subject to teasing by their peers. Many fear the weight that is gained during this time is permanent , will panic , and desperately try to take the weight off. They are not aware that once the physical changes during this time cease , their weight will usually stable off and go to their bodies natural set point without the need for dieting. Once they start losing weight people might compliment them , which would make them feel good. They may start to believe that losing weight will make them happier , but no matter how much weight is lost it is never enough and they are never happy. Going through puberty early can be very upsetting, especially if the teenager is being subjected to sexual advances. These advances can be so upsetting it may cause them to feel ashamed of their bodies, fear becoming a woman, and they may try to make their bodies go back to a child like appearance through starvation. Eating disorders are very serious when it comes to teenagers and we have to do something to stop this pain in young men and woman today.


credit given to: http://www.mirror-mirror.org/teens.htm

teen struggles !

For many teens these days , we have to face the problems of bullying , peer presure , smoking , cliques , relationships , and so much more. It is very difficult to deal with this when your going through school and trying to succeed. Many times it gets to the point in kids lives where they can't deal with the pressure and commit suicide. Alot of these problems above are the reason that so many kids and young adults these days have lost a life. It's sad to know that kids can be so cruel to the point of making someone want to kill themselves. Peer pressure is also another big thing that is hard on teens these days. Everyone wants to fit in and be in the '' cool kids group '' and to be able to do that you have to do what they do , which could mean smoking and drinking or doing drugs that could risk your life. Sometimes it's just not worth it to be in that '' cool kids group ''. Smoking is something that many have started at a young age and do it all there lives. It's very hard to quit which is why so many don't. Cigarettes are full of tobacco , a drug that is very addictive. FACT: secondhand smoke kills about 3,000 nonsmokers each year from lung cancer. So when you smoke keep it away from your children! Not only are cigarettes a problem , but also marijuana. Many teens these days think its cool but there are side effects to it. Some short term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory , and learning , distorted perception , difficulty in thinking and problem solving , loss of coordination , and so much more. Smoking isn't something you should start because in the end you WILL regret it.

Another problem teens have to face in these years of growing up is cliques. Cliques in high school are terrible because you have to look a certain way , act a certain way , dress a certain way , and even live a certain way. Kids and Young adults now-a-days judge people more than anyone ever has. It's very tough for kids to fit in because you have to do certain things to be in one group. You have the jocks , the nerds , bands geeks , the cheerleaders , goths , theater kids , and the druggies. Finding your clique could be easy or it could be hard. How does one determine which one you belong in? I say if you get along with everyone , theres no reason for cliques and seperate groups. Relationships are also very hard to deal with in high school. You think you found the perfect one for you and then it all comes to an end and your heart is broken , or the one your with is beating you. Being attracted to someone can be exciting but you may feel quite anxious , wondering if they feel the same for you. If you ask them out and they refuse you may feel rejected. You may be concerned that if people find out who you like they may tease you about it. Some people are so worried about all of this that they find it hard to even get a relationship started. Relationships can be tough but if the one your in isn't going good , get out while you can.