The youthful years is one of the most influential periods in the life of an individual and this is also the period children will engage in more reckless activities. This article will State four reasons why the youth often involve themselves in risky behaviours.
Among the youth, risk taking is quite normal as they are still finding their way around freedom and responsibility. However, continuously engaging in too much risky behaviour will lead to negative outcomes on their physical and mental health. It can also result in legal consequences.
What is youth risky behaviours
If you are wondering what does youth risky behaviour mean? This article will answer your questions. According to the South African Government these behaviours are usually adopted during their youthful years. And these behaviours can be defined as behaviours that typically involve danger or the risk of danger which most of the time is not socially acceptable behaviour.
These behaviours can be presented in different ways and invite negative repercussions. Some of the most common risky behaviours that youth engage include, abusing substances, underage drinking, reckless driving or engaging in unprotected sex.
And although these are high-risk behaviours, parents concern themselves with the safety of their children and there is a range of risky and self-destructive behaviours that can be categorised physically and mentally. Some of the youth risk behaviour examples consist of:
Physical Risks
- Underage drinking
- Driving under the influence
- Drug use
- Unprotected sex
- Getting into frequent fights
- Smoking        Â
- Participating in typical activities with disregard to safety (riding bikes without helmets, speeding while driving, not wearing a seatbelt)
Social and Emotional Risks
- Lying
- Stealing
- Manipulating others
- Spreading rumours
- Skipping school
- Cheating
- Provoking fights or arguments with peers or family
- Bullying or cyber bullying
- Doing something because of peer pressure rather than personal beliefs
State four reasons why the youth often involve themselves in risky behaviours
A commonly asked question is why the youth often involve themselves in risk behaviours? According to United International Children’s Emergency Fund there are multiple reasons why young people in South Africa may engage in risky behaviours.
During times of youth, there is a higher need for independence and in order to accomplish this independence, youth may tend to push their boundaries that are created by adults. This will lead to unintended negative consequences such as mental and physical harm. These are
Emotional Struggles
Individuals that struggle emotionally are seen taking high risks. This may be due to the fact that they’re trying to cope with feelings of distress and the risk taking can be a coping mechanism. Dealing with stress and isolation can also lead to youth turning towards risk taking behaviours.
In this sense children with parents that abuse alcohol or use alcohol as poor coping mechanisms demonstrate to be bad role models. When such parents struggle to care for their children, it causes emotional disruption turning them towards negative behaviours.
Social Pressure
Among the four main reasons why they engage in such behaviours, teenagers and youth are also navigating their social identities, new freedoms, building new relationships and responsibilities. This in turn makes them impulsive towards making reckless decisions leading to such behaviours.
During this period of their life they can be prone to social pressures as their willingness to do anything in order to ‘fit in’ remains high. The desire to seek validation from their peers and feel accepted is at its peak. Some youth in this case may tend to take decisions based on what their friend circles influence them to do, taking part in ways that helps them feel part of the group.
Family Influences
Family influence plays a crucial role in shaping the risk taking behaviours of the youth. When parents do not give sufficient supervision, they tend to seek validation and acceptance outside their family circles turning them towards risk taking behaviours.
In addition, if parents themselves model these behaviours such as drug or substance abuse, neglecting responsibilities, teens are more likely to mirror these actions. A supportive family at this stage of a child’s life is fundamental to their future and can prevent them from engaged in detrimental behaviours.
Moreover, setting high expectations toward a child can also avert them from turning towards risky behaviours and will centre them on safety. Having open dialogues with youth and educating them about morals and laws is crucial in keeping them safe.
Lack of Goals
In South Africa, the lack of having clear goals or aspirations among teens is an important factor contributing to risk taking behaviours. Many young people in South Africa are facing socio economic challenges which limit their access to quality education. In turn it also limits them from having opportunities and accessing supportive environment leading them to a lack of direction.
When young people do not have clear goals, they may turn to substance abuse, crime and other forms of delinquency as ways of coping with their present circumstances. The youth who don’t envision a positive future are most likely to engage in risk taking behaviours such as alcohol and drug abuse which increases their challenges in accomplishing long term success.
Some measures that can help prevent risky behaviours
There is a common pattern in risk behaviours; it is low in childhood, increases during puberty, and peaks in late adolescence to early adulthood and declines in adulthoods. These are some practical solutions on how the youth risk behaviours can be reduced such as:
- Engaging in meaningful activities
- Learning life skills and social competence
- Attaining positive personal traits
- Having ambitions and setting goals for the future
- School connectedness
- Having a positive school climate
Conclusion
The time of being a young adult is one of the most crucial times in the life of a youth, where they discover their identities, navigate their independence and understand a sense of responsibility. This article state four reasons why the youth often involve themselves in risky behaviours. This is the most vulnerable time in their life risking negative influence and social circles.
Parents play a fundamental role during this stage of a young adult’s life. Teaching them the rights and wrongs and being open to dialogue can prevent them from pursing the wrong direction and change the course of their lies to a purposeful track.
Key Points
- Youth often engage in risky behaviours to assert their independence and push boundaries set by adults. This search for independence can lead to unintended negative consequences.
- Emotional struggles can drive young people to take high risks. They may use these behaviours as coping mechanisms to deal with stress, isolation, or distress.
- Social pressure plays a significant role in influencing youth to make reckless decisions. The desire to fit in and gain acceptance from peers can lead them to engage in risky behaviours.
- Family influences are crucial in shaping the behaviour of youth. Lack of supervision or negative role modeling by parents can drive young people toward risky activities.
- A lack of clear goals or aspirations can lead youth to engage in delinquent behaviours. Socioeconomic challenges and limited access to education in South Africa contribute to this issue, pushing young people towards substance abuse and crime.
FAQs
Why do youth take more risks?
This is a time in their life they are driven towards the adrenaline rush, thrills, risks and adventure all the while navigating their social identities. And most young adults want to express their values and a sense of themselves as individuals. It’s all part of the process of transitioning to adulthood.
What are the most common risky behaviours?
The most common risk taking behaviours include violence, alcoholism, tobacco use, engaging in risky sexual behaviour and eating disorders all of which increases the likelihood of injury.
What is risky behaviours childhood?
They mainly consist of health risks, violent behaviours, substance abuse, suicidal thoughts which are some of the leading causes of mortality among adolescents and young adults.
Why are youth so vulnerable?
The emotional vulnerability of adolescents is heightened by lack of assertiveness, poor communication skills, and unequal power dynamics with adults, and insufficient maturity for rational decision-making. Many also face socioeconomic disadvantages.