The Effect of Modern Culture on Adolescents in Todays Society - Research Paper Example

The Effect of Modern Culture on Adolescents in Today’s Society Name Institution Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 The Effect of Modern Culture on Adolescents in Today’s Society 3 Introduction 3 Purpose 3 Research Question 3 Thesis 3 Adolescence in the Past and Present Time 3 Social and physical changes of young people 3 Social limitations of significant responsibilities 4 Negative Impact of a Modernized Culture on Childhood 5 Increase habit of drinking alcohol due to the pressure of society 5 Major peer pressure and stress 6 Counterargument 7 Opponents believe that modern culture is in fact an advantage on childhood 7 Proponents believe that in reality it does affect childhood negatively 7 Summary 8 Discussion of Research Findings 8 Conclusions 9 Concluding Statement 9 Recommendations 10 How to protect children from getting influenced harmfully by modern culture 10 References 10 The Effect of Modern Culture on Adolescents in Today’s Society Introduction Purpose The perception of childhood has evolved over the years and it is not relatively a decent revolution. Many aspects have altered in today’s culture including what youngsters choose to do in their free time (Honess et al., 2000). The aim of this research is to raise awareness to parents, society, and civilization on how dangerous and destructive a modernized culture can be to adolescents. Thus, people should start looking for alternatives to handling a modern culture in a positive and appropriate way in order to protect teenagers from getting affected negatively. Research Question How does a modernized culture affect adolescents in today’s society? Thesis The growth of modern culture and advanced technology is changing and moving so rapidly to an extent that numerous downfalls are arising and affecting adolescents. Adolescence in the Past and Present Time Social and physical changes of young people Young people have since evolved as time elapsed. They have demonstrated great changes both in terms of their social and physical behaviours (Honess et al., 2000). For example, young people have changed socially in their increased lack of manners. During the previous generations, young people used to misbehave as a result of their lack of respect and rebellion to the authorities. On the other hand, today’s youth demonstrate such rebellion by being obsessed by their self-centeredness. They have the tendency of ignoring the authority acting that they don’t even exist in their minds. In addition, young people have changes socially by focusing on their own selfish needs rather than their neighbors. This is so because they fail to acknowledge other people simply because they want to either humiliate or spite them. They tend to assume that they are the only important beings on this world and no other person is relevant in their world. Furthermore, American researches have indicated that youths have a decreased sense of empathy since the year 2000. These researches show that students have become 40 per cent less empathetic than 20 years ago (Goldberg, 2003). Some researchers claim that today’s youths miss to point out some key principles of life since teachers, parents as well as social workers are worried about invading their child’s independence and integrity. This therefore creates an impoverished society that is not a good breeding ground for any want to be considerate and to engage in things as obsolete as good behaviour (Egendorf, 2001). Social limitations of significant responsibilities Today’s youths neglect various significant responsibilities since they would like to be rewarded without doing anything. Most young people in today’s society are afraid of carrying on certain responsibilities due to lack of confidence and sometimes due to ignorance behavior (Grinder and Englund, 1999). For example, when it comes to conducting chores, young people often consider skipping such responsibilities because they are related to house-helps. Due to such attitude towards chores, they end up skipping these responsibilities. In addition, some young people lack confidence in certain responsibilities such as leadership roles (Westley, 1955). They focus on different criticisms thrown towards them hence overlooking these responsibilities. Therefore, lack of confidence plays a major role in a young person’s life by limiting them in performing certain responsibilities, especially those that are conducted in front of a huge number of people. Additionally, young people also neglect responsibilities that are related to being role models to their peers, specifically their family members (Kotulak, 1987). This case of negligence of significant responsibilities among the youth is very rampant since most of them fail to become good role models to their siblings. Furthermore, young people tend to neglect their responsibilities related to their academic achievements. They tend to neglect such responsibilities as a result of their lazy character and their need for better grades in exchange for their poor performance in class. Some of them neglect these responsibilities due to the belief that reading is for losers (Csikszentmihalyi, 2016). Negative Impact of a Modernized Culture on Childhood Increase habit of drinking alcohol due to the pressure of society According to Egendorf (2001), peer pressure and media content can result to alcohol and drug abuse among young people. Due to the changes brought about by globalization and modernization, adolescents are very vulnerable to public pressure. As argued by Egendorf (2001), negative messages either from the media or society may cause an adolescent have low self-esteem. This makes him susceptible to drinking alcohol. It expected that alcoholism to increase in the years to come. In addition, adolescent alcohol abuse cultures can be termed as a social activity that takes place among small groups of friends who are away from the sight of their parents. Adolescent enthusiasm of taking alcohol is to get drunk. Adolescent seek the effect of intoxication as a way of encouraging social interactions. According to Honess et al., (2000), broad social changes in the society today have resulted to the development of a new culture of taking alcohol whereby extreme drunkenness is fully tolerated and opportunities to access alcohols have considerably increased. Today adolescent have a large access to a lot of lifestyle alcoholic beverages that are sold in licenced places. Adolescent can now access and participate in the increasing alcohol culture. Alcohol is the most advertised product portrayed in the media that is consumed by young people (Honess et al., 2000). Research has shown that there is a correlation between young people’s exposure to alcohol and its advertisement. In alcohol advertising and marketing, drinking alcohol is portrayed as a normal social activity which leads adolescent to perceive alcohol as an appealing drink. Major peer pressure and stress The modern culture has brought about stress to young people. Stress among adolescent can be caused by a number of sources. Some young people state that they are overwhelmed by high expectations from their parents. These parents are monitoring and pushing their children to excel. Also, as a result of pressure, anxiety as well as depression, many young people are increasingly becoming stressed than ever before. Csikszentmihalti (2016) argue that there is a phase of growth and development in every person. Adolescent is considered as an intense and stressful phase that human beings pass through. It is characterized by a number of behaviours that originates from the physical and also social changes that young people pass through. These behaviours made adolescent to be rebellious and very daring. Furthermore, although the adolescent transition has never been a walk in the park, it appears to be harder than ever before. This can be contributed to the new culture setting (Westley, 1995). In addition, adolescent is considered a phase of “crisis” and a time of revolt. In all cultures young people endure a period of stress (Westley, 1995). Peer pressure among youngsters has also increased over the years. Peers become primary influence on the behaviour of young people. Peer pressure is most pronounced in terms of taste, values and appearance. Peer pressure is highly associated with risk taking; peers who engage in risk behaviours act as predators of adolescent’s own behaviour. Peer pressure has been known to be a major enabler of initiation of substance use. Research has shown that peer pressure has wide range of negative outcomes such as sexual behaviour, depression, stress and externalizing behaviour. Counterargument Opponents believe that modern culture is in fact an advantage on childhood The modern culture has been accused of much negative influence on the adolescent (Honess, 2000). Nevertheless, some proponents argue that the new culture is indeed advantageous to childhood. For instance, the new culture has promoted healthy behaviours. For instance, the advancement of technology has enabled young people to keeping touch through social media and phone calls. This has enabled them create healthy relationship with people. In addition, the new culture has enabled the young people have an easy access to information and stay closer together. In the new era, children are able to develop skills and talent more easily compared to past era. When children are exposed to other children, to writing and music, parents may discover hidden talents (Goldberg, 2003). In addition, the new culture has enabled children to have higher cognitive development. The easy access to technology and interactions with other children can increase children’s cognitive development. Proponents believe that in reality it does affect childhood negatively Nevertheless, although this new culture has been associated with positive impacts in children; generally, modernized culture has brought about bad than good. According to Kotulak (1987), adolescents nowadays are faced with many choices than in previous times. As a result, they end up being involved in many negative activities such as drinking alcohols. Even though it is normal for young people to pass through adolescent storm, most of them are trapped and may end up killing or hurting themselves as a result. This shows that the new culture has a negative effect on young people. Summary As mentioned earlier, many aspects have dramatically changed in the new culture including what youngsters choose to do in their free time (Kotulak, 1987). Young people today have many more choices compared to those in the past. As a result, they end up engaging in unreasonable activities such as taking alcohol and drug abuse. Also, the new culture has increased peer pressure and stress among youngsters. Children can be influenced negatively by peer pressure since peer pressure is seen as an enabler of behavior. Although the new culture may have some positive influence on the adolescents such as higher cognitive development and effective social interaction skills, it has brought about many downfalls that have affected adolescents. Discussion of Research Findings According to research done by a number of scholars on the subject of new culture and adolescent, there is a correlation between modernization and adolescent behaviour (Grinder and Englund, 1999). New culture has brought about destructions that have affected youngsters. Compared to the past generation, modern adolescents have the potential to be influenced easily and have more choices that they are likely to exploit. The number of young people taking alcohol is higher compared to young people in the past. For instance, a 2011 survey in Australia indicated that about 42% of adolescents aged 11 to 15 years were reported to have drunk alcohol at least twice. This number shows an increase from the previous years. In addition, peer pressure also has been pronounced among young people (Grinder and Englund, 1999). Conclusions Concluding Statement Analytical Summary To sum up, today’s young people are faced with various challenges which include peer pressure. This peer pressures subjected to them tend to expose them to negative activities such as drug abuse and alcoholism. In addition, modern culture has developed stress among the young people, even at their tender age. This has in turn exposed them to different methods of reducing their stress levels which are inclusive of both drug abuse and alcoholism. Also, due to the modern culture, young people have demonstrated both social and physical changes. For instance, young people have developed a mind of self-centeredness which makes them neglect the people around them. Researches have also shown that young people have become 40 per cent less empathetic than they were 20 to 30 years ago. Restatement of the thesis Therefore, the growth of modern culture and advanced technology is changing and moving so rapidly to an extent that numerous downfalls are arising and affecting adolescents. Recommendations How to protect children from getting influenced harmfully by modern culture Paton talks about how a young individual’s mentality is diluting their overall well-being as a result of the pressures created from modernized culture as well as a developed world. Therefore, parents should improve their relationship with their children by creating quality time to communicate with them instead of showering them with toys and gifts (Paton, 2011). This will enable the needs of the young people met therefore helping them take care of their responsibilities appropriately. References Csikszentmihalyi. M. (2016). Adolescence. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica: http://academic.eb.com.ezproxy.aus.edu/EBchecked/topic/6216/adolescence Egendorf, L. K. (2001). Social Pressures Encourage Teen Drinking. Retrieved from http://ic.galegroup.com.ezproxy.aus.edu/ic/ovic/ViewpointsDetailsPage/ViewpointsDetailsWindow?failOverType=&query=&prodId=OVIC&windowstate=normal&contentModules=&displayquery=&mode=view&displayGroupName=Viewpoints&limiter=&u=971sharjah&currPage=&disableH Grinder, R. E., & Englund, D. L. (1999). Adolescence in Other Cultures. Retrieved from Jstor: http://www.jstor.org/stable/1169788?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Goldberg, R. A. (2003). America in the Twenties. New York: Syracuse University Press. p. 138. Honess, J., et al (2000)., 'The Social Contexts of Underage Drinking', Home Office. Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, London Kotulak, R. (1987). Adolescence A Growing Challenge Being A Teen-ager Has Never Been Easy, And Today It’s Even Tougher Than In The Past. Sun Sentinel. Retrieved from Proquest: http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.aus.edu/pqcentral/docview/389619250/951E587DF6F9484CPQ/5?accountid=16946 Paton, G. (2011). Childhood being eroded by modern life, experts warn. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8784959/Childhood-being-eroded-by-modern-life-experts-warn.html Westley, F. E. (1955). The Myth of Adolescent Culture. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/2088673?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents Read More

Due to such attitude towards chores, they end up skipping these responsibilities. In addition, some young people lack confidence in certain responsibilities such as leadership roles (Westley, 1955). They focus on different criticisms thrown towards them hence overlooking these responsibilities. Therefore, lack of confidence plays a major role in a young person’s life by limiting them in performing certain responsibilities, especially those that are conducted in front of a huge number of people.

Additionally, young people also neglect responsibilities that are related to being role models to their peers, specifically their family members (Kotulak, 1987). This case of negligence of significant responsibilities among the youth is very rampant since most of them fail to become good role models to their siblings. Furthermore, young people tend to neglect their responsibilities related to their academic achievements. They tend to neglect such responsibilities as a result of their lazy character and their need for better grades in exchange for their poor performance in class.

Some of them neglect these responsibilities due to the belief that reading is for losers (Csikszentmihalyi, 2016). Negative Impact of a Modernized Culture on Childhood Increase habit of drinking alcohol due to the pressure of society According to Egendorf (2001), peer pressure and media content can result to alcohol and drug abuse among young people. Due to the changes brought about by globalization and modernization, adolescents are very vulnerable to public pressure. As argued by Egendorf (2001), negative messages either from the media or society may cause an adolescent have low self-esteem.

This makes him susceptible to drinking alcohol. It expected that alcoholism to increase in the years to come. In addition, adolescent alcohol abuse cultures can be termed as a social activity that takes place among small groups of friends who are away from the sight of their parents. Adolescent enthusiasm of taking alcohol is to get drunk. Adolescent seek the effect of intoxication as a way of encouraging social interactions. According to Honess et al., (2000), broad social changes in the society today have resulted to the development of a new culture of taking alcohol whereby extreme drunkenness is fully tolerated and opportunities to access alcohols have considerably increased.

Today adolescent have a large access to a lot of lifestyle alcoholic beverages that are sold in licenced places. Adolescent can now access and participate in the increasing alcohol culture. Alcohol is the most advertised product portrayed in the media that is consumed by young people (Honess et al., 2000). Research has shown that there is a correlation between young people’s exposure to alcohol and its advertisement. In alcohol advertising and marketing, drinking alcohol is portrayed as a normal social activity which leads adolescent to perceive alcohol as an appealing drink.

Major peer pressure and stress The modern culture has brought about stress to young people. Stress among adolescent can be caused by a number of sources. Some young people state that they are overwhelmed by high expectations from their parents. These parents are monitoring and pushing their children to excel. Also, as a result of pressure, anxiety as well as depression, many young people are increasingly becoming stressed than ever before. Csikszentmihalti (2016) argue that there is a phase of growth and development in every person.

Adolescent is considered as an intense and stressful phase that human beings pass through. It is characterized by a number of behaviours that originates from the physical and also social changes that young people pass through. These behaviours made adolescent to be rebellious and very daring. Furthermore, although the adolescent transition has never been a walk in the park, it appears to be harder than ever before. This can be contributed to the new culture setting (Westley, 1995). In addition, adolescent is considered a phase of “crisis” and a time of revolt.

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