American Youth

1. Introduction

This report briefly presents the problems of American youth. It consists of six parts. The first one deals with the general understanding of the teenagers in general. The second part conveys some facts about historic events and socio - historical context. The third one describes youths and their families and briefly shows the problems. The fourth part describes students and their schools. It conveys some details of educational system. The fifth part shows in what kind of activities can youths participate. The sixth part explain what problems do the youths face at. Finally the conclusions sum up all the parts and tries to show some looks to the future.

2. The Teenagers

At 18 years of age, young people in the United States of America can take on most of the rights and responsibilities of adulthood. However, before that the young man is understood as a teenager. A young person between the ages of 13 and 19 has to deal with the problems of adolescence. Most people experience conflict during this period of their lives. At this time the young people are changing rapidly, both physically and emotionally. Moreover, they are searching for self-identity, which cause some difficulties. As the young people are growing, they are developing their own values of life that often differ from the ones of their parents. It must be said that teenagers are influenced by the values expressed by their friends, newspapers, television, magazines and teachers. It is good if these expreesed values are suitable for young people and affect them in the right way. During this period of life, young people begin to participate in social activities. They begin to do more things in the company of members of the opposite sex and fewer things in the company of their families.

All youths face a certain problems. Some young people have difficulties in their relationship with their parents. Some of them have problems at school, which may lead to use of alcohol or drugs or even grow to refusal to go school or running away from home. Some teenagers even can turn to crime.

However, some teenagers, who face such problems, are making positive and important contributions to their communities, schools and society. Many teenagers are studying for college entrance exams or working at part-time jobs after school. Others are volunteering at hospitals and helping the handicapped.

3. Socio - Historical Context: looking back at youths in America

For more than 350 years, young people were leaving their families, home and friends and were coming to the strange new country, called New World, to live and to work. For many emigrants the New World offered hope of a better life. However, for all new arrivals such change was traumatic.

In the 1600's, many children of poor European immigrants were contracted to work without wages. They had to work as servants for wealthier people until they were between 18 and 21 years of age.

At the beginning of 1619, blacks were brought to North America as salves to work for the new European settlers. Young people as well as adults served as slaves until 1865 when the slavery was abolished.

Later the United States expierenced major periods of immigration. The first occurred from 1840 to 1880. During that time, most of the immigrants were from northern and western Europe. Most of them were emigrating because of poverty or political or religious persecution. The second major period of immigration began in 1880's. the majority of immigrants now came from southern and eastern Europe.

At the time of these major periods of immigration, children of all ethnic groups often worked long hours in factories, coal mines, mills or on farms. There were no laws regulating child labor until 1900's.

However, many new Americans saw that education was their best chance for prosperity. In the 1900's, boys and girls began to attend schools I increasing numbers. Many stayed at school until they were 15 years old. Work became less of an influence on young people. Now churches, families and their schools influenced them mostly.

At the beginning of the 1900's, new factories had been built, the western frontier was being conquered and the economy was glowing rapidly. The youths believed that improvement and progress toward a better was unstoppable. The staggering shock and losses brought by World War I (1914-1918), however, caused disillusion. During 1920's youths in America determined to live life to its fullest. Some young people tended to reject their parents' values and turned to the new jazz music, to dancing and having a good time. But the Great Depression, which started in 1929, put the end to this era. At this period, about 12 million people lost their jobs. Many people had a hard time providing enough food for themselves. As a result, many children had to quit school in order to find work. Under President Franklin Roosevelt's direction, programs under the National Youth Service created jobs for many young people. 3 million young men took part in the Civilian Conservation Corps, working to maintain forests and parks throughout the United States.

World War II (1939-1945) restored a feeling of national purpose and hope. After the war the United States experienced the biggest baby boom in history. That means that the birth rate was increased.

During the 1960's many youths met President John F Kennedy's challenge: "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." The youths volunteered to help the handicapped, the poor at home. The 1960's was also the time of growing political awareness, turbulence and rebellion. Young people protested the county's involvement in the Vietnam War. They demonstrated and worked against racial segregation and poverty. Some young people developed their own subculture, which included styles of dressing, music and ideas. Some women began calling for equality with men and developed the beginnings of women's liberation movement.

Television programs and films introduced an unaccustomed openness about sexuality in the United States during this period. Many young people became involved in activities that once only some adults participated in, such as the use of drugs and alcohol.

By the 1970's, the times were different and the focus of youth's attention had been drawn elsewhere. The violent protests were gone and the involvement in the war was over as well. In the 1980's, young people generally became more conservative and interested in their careers. It was "the new age of realism" and "the me generation".

4. Youths and