Loss of Innocence in Adolescence

The Loss of Innocence in Adolescence

Often times in a young teen’s life, they experience things that could very well alter who they are. Such things could include: violence, drugs, sex, and alcohol. Most of what a child or teen experiences is in participation with friends. Friends are a huge influence on a young teens life, therefor decisions made may not be a decision made alone. Teens can either strive for excellence or plummet to failure. A teen’s decisions are what will determine the outcome. The teenagers of my generation and those to come need to be shown the outcome of a life of poor decisions. The best way to do this is teach a class to young high schoolers, specifically on the consequences of drugs and alcohol. 

Although the last thing a teenager wants to do is take a class on drugs in school, it would be a very vital step in decreasing the amount of teenagers who smoke pot. Not only pot, but if more young students were educated on alcohol, sex, or violence it would surely decrease the numbers in those departments as well. I recently attended a party and as I walked through the door, the smell of weed and the cracks of beer cans made its way to my senses. The crowd you'd expect to see was not there. This party was consumed with mostly 15 year old sophomores in high school. Not only was it disappointing to see but it was also disturbing. It was disturbing to see teenagers who are so young, just past the age described as the “childhood years”, drinking and smoking. The biggest loss is they can never return to that childhood. “They can never "go home" to childhood again. They can never return to that simpler, sheltered, and supportive time.” (Carl Pickhardt, psychologytoday.com, The Loss of Childhood.) 

Aside from the influence by friends, teenagers also are influenced based on their home life. A child with a rough life at home may lash out and try new and consequential experiences. Most troubled teenagers either have divorced parents or mostly absent parents. “Sometimes, just being physically present is not enough. Parents that may be nearby but that are not emotionally invested or responsive tend to raise children that are more distressed and less engaged.” (Bethel Moges, my.vanderbilt.edu, Parental Influence on the Emotional Development of Children.) Teenagers need guidance whether they express it or not. These teenagers can get this type of guidance through teachers in a class, such as the one previously recommended. 

Some people could argue that it is ultimately the teenagers decisions and they are old enough to make good choices. Although this may be true, there are still factors that play into how the teenager makes their decision. For example, a straight A student who's never been in trouble in their entire life tries marijuana for the first time, due to the peer pressure put on them by their friends. This particular case is seen in every high school and every group of friends. Peer pressure is a huge factor in decision making, especially young teenagers who are just entering high school. These teenagers want to make an impression and look cool in front of others, so they fall into this societal trap. 

Part of being human is experiencing new things and allowing yourself to make decisions that will ultimately benefit your chances of survival. A plant and a couple of drinks wont kill you, but the actions that take place afterwards can. Not only does drugs and alcohol change a person and creates a rebellious persona, it can also seriously injure or kill themselves or others. I have known several people that get behind the wheel of their vehicle while high or drunk and sometimes both. Most got home safely. Some of them didn't get home at all. Seven teenagers who's age ranged from sixteen to nineteen died in early 2015 due to a car rollover not to far from our high school. They didn't crash because they were rushing to get home to avoid punishment, they didn't crash due to exhaustion from studying. They crashed because the driver was intoxicated and high. The six others riding in the tailgate were also cross-faded. Not one of them survived because of a poor choice they made. This choice was made because the loss of innocence. Had these kids been educated and shown the consequences of drinking and driving they may have been able to tell their mother goodnight that night. However these kids didn't know any better and ended their life too soon. 

An educated person will know what is a good decision and a bad decision. “By keeping youth off the street and occupied during the day, school attendance may have long-lasting effects on criminal participation.” ( Lance Lochner, University of Western Ontario,The Effect of Education on Crime) These classes can take extra time out of the day during the week to further kids understanding of drugs and alcohol while also keeping them busy, rather than being irresponsible. The potential a class like this has for success in a teenagers life in extremely high. Parents can admit their young high schooler in a class such as this one and document the change in the teenagers personality and decision making. 

Let it be known this information is coming from a high school senior. Someone who has been in the game and knows the current teenage trends and downfalls. These examples have been experienced first hand and it is not a pretty sight in person. These classes can save parents a lifetime of mourning and teenagers a lifetime of prison. It might even just save their lives. Teenagers must be educated on both the consequences and possibilities drugs and alcohol possesses. If such classes existed, the teenage smoking, drinking, and death rate may come to a shocking decrease. Talk to your school districts or school supervisors and get a club started or meetings to ensure that a students can receive the proper education they need in order to sustain their innocence and their lives.