Ten Biggest Issues Facing HS

We, the Diocese of Gary Diocesan Youth Council, a representative body of high school-aged leaders from parishes throughout the diocese, spent significant time preparing this list of the Ten Biggest Issues Facing High School-Aged Youth. The DYC used a careful discernment and consensus process. We wish to express that in the process of arriving at this list we discussed many issues that did not make this list that are also worthy of discussion in ministry settings.

While we represent a large number of parishes in the diocese, we also recognize that many parishes are not represented on the DYC, and therefore their voice was not heard in the preparation of this document. It is our wish that future Councils revisit this project, and hopefully more parishes will be represented.

We also invite parish leaders to use this list as a discussion starter with youth. Some may agree with items on this list, some may disagree, but it could be the start of good discussions.

Respectfully,

The Diocesan Youth Council, June 2005

Tobacco, drugs, alcohol, and gambling are all things that an increasing number of high school students are growing addicted to. Some students do not realize what they are getting into. In some cases students may become addicted to these things. These students may not realize the magnitude of the addiction until it is too late. Because of this, addictions can affect, and even in some extreme cases, ruin their lives.

Anxiety over the future causes worry and stress in many teens. One decision now can affect a teenager’s entire life. Everyone wants success but we are confused about what success is because of the stereotypes put forth by television, for example a “trophy” wife/husband, big house, and well-paying job. Many end up unhappy because they do not love their job, they do not love their spouse, and the material wealth does not make them happy. This is what worries teenagers today about their decisions for the future.

High school students have a lot of anxiety over grades. Grades affect every part of their lives. They feel that grades are a major part of determining their future. If they do not get grades that meet the standards that their parents have set, they lose privileges. Grades also affect what many students are able to accomplish in school. Students need to get certain grades to graduate and need these grades to advance their future. Students are worried that if they do not get good enough grades they will not be able to get the things they want and they will not be able to succeed in life. Anxiety is also caused by the work needed to keep grades up. Many students get discouraged if they do not get the grades that they want and give up. This is why students have anxiety over their grades.

Faith, by a simple definition, is believing in something in which one cannot know is true. Faith can deal with religion, or it can deal with other topics, including a belief that all humans are good. Many teenagers deal with the fact of not knowing what they believe in, and they are confused because of this. Other teenagers deal with challenges to their faith in the form of peer pressure. Their faith can tell them not to do something, but because they want to fit in or are afraid to lose a friend, they are tempted to go against their faith. Another problem that teenagers deal with is that their friends often times do not understand their faith. Teenagers often start to question their faith. As teenagers grow older, they gain knowledge and wisdom, which often leads to the questioning of their faith. Faith is a complex issue facing teenagers today, with many aspects to this issue.

Home life is a big issue among high school students. Students feel that parents do not understand what they are going through. Problems arise when students do not get their way. The parents may be thinking for the benefit of the students, but the students do not like the decisions of their parents. Home life greatly influences decisions that students make and the way that students act. Many things affect students’ home life. Stress and problems from other areas of their lives cause problems at home. Some students feel that parents do not trust them to make wise decisions. They feel that parents do not really know “the real them” and therefore cannot judge them and their decisions correctly. Another big problem is the stress caused by the pressure parents put on their children to excel at certain things. There is also stress from pressure to get certain grades. Home life is a major issue facing students and is different for each and every student.

Peer Pressure affects almost all high school students today. Students feel pressured to dress, act, and do things a certain way. They feel that if they do not submit to peer pressure they will be viewed as an outsider and will not have any friends. There is also pressure to be friends with a certain group of people in order to be accepted. Many students are pressured to do drugs because if they do not do drugs, they will not be a part of the “popular group.” Other forms of peer pressure that teens may face: weight/appearance, grades, extracurricular activities. Peer pressure is a major issue because it is so very often overlooked by adults.

There are two types of relationships that greatly influence teenagers’ lives: friendships and dating. “Friendship” is the state of being friendly with one that you are attached to by affection or esteem. “Dating” means to meet one you are attracted to on social outings. Friendships can inspire teenagers in good ways, positively influencing one another, helping them become good persons in their community. Friendships can also negatively affect a teenager’s life by pressuring that person to do things that don’t truly show their good personality. Also, friendships may cause one’s feelings to be hurt. Good or bad, friendships will influence the lives of many teenagers. Dating can be a positive thing by helping one to find a new friendship and depending on age, a potential spouse. Dating can be a good way of being social, especially when going on a date with a big group of friends. Even so, dating can also be a bad influence on teenagers. Dating can be a way of pressuring someone to do something negative, such as sex, when they are not ready for that kind of commitment. Also, it cause mixed emotions. Dating has both positive and negative affects, so teenagers always need to choose their dates wisely and get to know the person well before they date them. Relationships are important to teenagers’ lives, so they need to be positive and help them grow to be better people.

Most teenagers have issues with self-esteem. Thoughts are always running through their heads about body issues and how people think about them. Good self-esteem is important because it affects everything that teens do. If people don’t have good self-esteem, it limits what they are able to accomplish. Good self-esteem gives people a sense that they can do anything, that they are not afraid to take risks and will overlook the criticism they may receive. Not having a good self-outlook hinders what people can do. If they don’t feel that that they will accomplish a goal, or that they will be bad at it, they won’t even try. Bad self-esteem could leaves people emotionally hurt. A way to boost self-esteem could be as simple as a “hi” to someone in the hall. Little things like that stay with some people.

Sexuality is an issue that affects all teens directly and indirectly. The media believes that sex sells and has influenced many others to believe that too, especially teenagers. You don’t need to wear revealing clothing to be sexy or look cool (that goes for both males and females). You don’t need to have sex to make people think you are cool or daring, but the media has taught many teenagers that you have to do what the stars do in the movies to be attractive or popular. Although the media does a lot of convincing, so does word of mouth from your peers. When teenagers think they did something cool, they always think they have to say something and pressure others to do it too. What teenagers fail to realize is that bad expressions of sexuality can lead to stressful and even some horrible life change deeds. When a teenager dresses provocatively to express sexiness, it may lead to people saying and doing hurtful things to them. Looking or talking like you are “easy” can lead to abuse and sometimes even rape. For those engaged in risky sexual behavior, they should realize that they are at the risk for pregnancy, STDs, and big responsibilities. Many teenagers fail to realize the consequences of sexual behavior. More importantly, over-expressions of sexuality present a risk of behavior that, outside of marriage, would place teenagers in a state of sin.

High school students worry a lot about their time. With homework, extracurricular activities, jobs, and sleep, students have to balance their time wisely. Many students have trouble prioritizing what is really important. Each student has different responsibilities. They have to live up to what everyone else expects of them. Students who are involved in extracurricular activities are also expected to be good students. They have to balance practices or rehearsals with study time. To get the most out of their day, many teens stay up late, as late at one or two o’clock in the morning, just to get all that they need done. It’s hard to manage time and remain healthy.