Reasons Of Engaging Young People & Adolescents In Risky Behavior
Young adults and adolescents are vastly divergent phases in human development. Erikson’s psychoanalytic theory contends that adolescents are in the identity versus role confusion, whereas young adults face the intimacy versus isolation phase (Wallerstein, 1998). National statistics demonstrate that when compared to adolescents, young adults are 49% more likely to abuse alcohol, 17% less likely to receive an annual preventative care visit, 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV, and twice as likely to be killed in a motor collision (Adolescent & Young Adult National Resource Center, 2018).
Equally disconcerting, young adults experience an array of mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, sexual identity challenges, substance abuse, self-esteem challenges, etc. at a greater rate in comparison to adolescents (Frech, 2012). Young adults are also less likely to access mental health services (Frech, 2012). To provide insight of how young adults are less likely to receive mental health services consider Aaron Saleh, 20-year-old male, who attended a University in California. Aaron could not afford to take time off from school or work to visit his family in New York. Aaron stated to his therapist that he felt “home sick” and depressed ever since he moved to California because he was very close to his family, and thought his family were “the only ones who cared”.
Aaron had difficulty getting out of bed and finding the motivation to build relationships with peers. Aaron also began to cope with his feelings of depression with marijuana and alcohol. Aaron was recommended to receive counseling by his professor who was able to build a relationship with Aaron. Aaron stated that if it were not for this trusted professor, he never would have received mental health services independently. Therefore, the example of Aaron Saleh supports the contention that young adults are less likely to receive mental health services during a time in which they may need it most due to the transitions of becoming an independent adult.
From a social perspective, young adults have the expectation of exploration and experimentation. Therefore, young adults are more likely to engage in risky behavior, such as experimenting with unprotected sex, drugs, and alcohol (Adolescent & Young Adult National Resource Center, 2018). Young adults also have the social pressure of falling in love and maintaining a long-term committed relationship, to eventually get married and begin a family.
Furthermore, young adults are also more likely to have their young adult life influenced by social pressure to establish a professional life. From a cultural perspective, young adults have the expectation of moving away from home and establishing their independence. How one experiences young adulthood is also dependent upon the type of setting in which they were raised, for instance, rural and urban communities may have their own unique cultural practices and values (Alegria et al., 2010).
Within family systems there exist various cultural expectations and practices, such as religion, that can influence young adulthood. For instance, a female may have the cultural expectation within her family to not engage in sexual intimacy before marriage. From a macroscopic lens, the women’s movement in the 1960’s has allowed for more women to receive a university level education than ever before (McHugh & Childers, 2012). The cultural expectation for females to get married, establish a family, and career is now less apparent or, at the very least, extended to one’s late 20’s (McHugh & Childers, 2012). Economic fluctuations and growth can determine whether not a young adult is cable of obtaining employment and support themselves financially (Furlong, 2015).
During an individual’s young adult years, they may have minimum work experience and education, which can make it difficult to obtain employment that is financially sustainable (Furlong, 2015). Furthermore, some individuals may have the pressure to help their families financially depending upon their financial position. To express how economic, social, and cultural factors influence young adulthood, consider the example of Eddy Alvarez, a 21-year-old Hispanic male who has lived in South Central Los Angeles, California.
Eddy always dreamt of moving out of Los Angeles and obtain a university level education in mechanical engineering. Eddy’s family migrated from Mexico and made their living off selling fruit in the street, and renting party and event supplies, such as children’s jumpers, chairs, and tables. Eddy knew that if he left his family to study engineering his family would be impacted financially and struggle to pay their rent. Eddy also understood that within Hispanic culture, the children were expected to honor and respect their parents by contributing to the family system.
Eddy, therefore, decided to stay committed to helping his family and their business, but became depressed because he felt as if he had given up on his dream. Eddy did not speak of this depression to his family because mental illness is vastly stigmatized within Hispanic culture. Therefore, the example of Eddy supports the contention that culture, social, and economic influences can impact the way in which one experiences young adulthood through his commitment toward helping his family financially rather than pursue a university level education.
