The youth have always been termed as the leader of the future. Subsequently, it is prudent for older generations to nurture and develop the youths to prepare them for future roles. However, this process also calls for society to identify and address some of the youth’s social challenges. Drug abuse and crime remain some of the significant threats facing middle and high school-going children. This newsletter explores the development of deviance among high school and middle school-age children.
Middle school and high school-going children are pretty impressionable. They are in a state in which they strive to establish their identity away from their parents and guardians. This feature can be further exacerbated by drastic changes in their lives, such as relocating their homes (Sawyer et al., 2018). Therefore, as young adult seeks to settle into their new surroundings, they might adopt conformity. Within a sociological setting, conformity can be described as the change in beliefs and behavior to fit into a particular group (Bellah, 2017). Subsequently, when young adults interact with individuals involved in crime, they could alter their behavior and start engaging in crime to become accepted into the new group. Crimes are acts committed in contravention of social norms and legal guidelines. These could include stealing or taking illicit drugs.
The general strain theory can explain the relationship between substance abuse and crime. Robert Agnew developed the general strain theory. The theory asserts that three central components are invoked in the development of negative behavior, strain. The three features include the inability to achieve goals, harmful impulses, and eradicating positive influences (Agnew & Brezina, 2019). The presence of the three features results in the development of deviant behavior, including drug and substance abuse and crime. The failure to achieve a goal can be highlighted through features such as failure in school. Young adults’ destructive impulses include an inability to settle into their new environment. Eradication of positive impulses is triggered when young adults are separated from their teachers and peers, who act as an emotional support system. Therefore, managing these three features is critical in preventing deviance among young adults.
Drug abuse remains a significant challenge for middle and high school students in the United States. The most commonly abused drug among adolescents is marijuana, alcohol, and tobacco (CDC, 2020). Sadly, by 12th grade, at least a third of students have dabbled in alcohol. Moreover, 2 in ten 12th graders have reported having access to prescription medicine despite not having a prescription. These statistics paint a dire picture of society (CDC, 2020).
Families have access to many resources within Houston that can support parents and youth with information and family services related to substance use issues. Families can access One of the Teen and Family Services (TAF) organizations. The organization offers teenagers and their families the requisite skill to address mental health issues and behavioral problems holistically (TAF, 2022). Additionally, the families should seek the services of the council on recovery. The Council on Recovery offers services in prevention, education, and outpatient treatment of addictions, alcoholism, and mental health disorders (Council on Recovery, 2021). Besides offering in-person services, the Council on Recovery also offers telehealth services which are also convenient. Moreover, parents should liaise with their religious leaders to identify religious institutions offering similar services.
In conclusion, the newsletter explores the development of deviance among high school and middle school children. The general strain theory offers a definitive explanation of the relationship between substance use issues and crime. Additionally, it presents some of the resources available to parents and teens seeking to learn and address issues with drug abuse.
References
Agnew, R., & Brezina, T. (2019). General strain theory. Handbooks of Sociology and Social Research, 145-160. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-20779-3_8
Bellah, R. Ν. (2017). Durkheim and history. Emile Durkheim, 3-26. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315256627-1
CDC. (2020, February 18). Teen substance use & risks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/features/teen-substance-use.html
Council on Recovery. (2021, March 17). Council on Recovery. https://www.councilonrecovery.org/
Sawyer, S. M., Azzopardi, P. S., Wickremarathne, D., & Patton, G. C. (2018). The age of adolescence. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 2(3), 223–228. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2352-4642(18)30022-1
TAF. (2022, September 22). About teen and family services. TAFS | Substance Abuse Solutions around Houston, TX. https://www.teenandfamilyservices.org/about-us
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