Despite a continuing improvement in standard of living, many people believe that young people suffer more stress than older generations. In this essay, the arguments surrounding the issue of teenage stress will be discussed.
Firstly, teenagers are exposed to more products than earlier generations as a result of living in a modern consumer society. Through films and the media, they see celebrities with expensive jewellery, clothes and cars. In addition, youth-oriented advertising gives them an awareness of the latest technology such as digital music formats and mobile phones. Consequently, teenagers feel pressure to acquire these items. Some might argue that these pressures are not new. However, I believe that such stresses were not so strong during earlier times.
It could also be argued that pressures at school are stronger than before. In order to achieve the lifestyle they see in the media, teenagers must succeed in their studies so they can compete for the best jobs. Parental pressure, examinations and homework are all reported as causing increased levels of strain.
On the other hand, although it may be true to say that modern society produces certain stresses it does not necessarily mean that stress was previously absent. In earlier times, hunger and physical discomfort would undoubtedly have caused high levels of anxiety, as would hard physical labour, for example, working down a mine. Any balanced view must take into account these alternative factors.
To sum up, consumerism and academic pressures are powerful causes of stress on today's teenagers. Nevertheless, it is my view that these stresses are no greater than those experienced by earlier generations of teenagers.
Despite a continuing improvement in standard of living,
many
people
believe that young
people
suffer more
stress
than older generations. In this essay, the arguments surrounding the issue of teenage
stress
will
be discussed
.
Firstly
,
teenagers
are exposed
to more products than
earlier
generations
as a result
of living in a modern consumer society. Through films and the media, they
see
celebrities with expensive
jewellery
, clothes and cars.
In addition
, youth-oriented advertising gives them an awareness of the latest technology such as digital music formats and mobile phones.
Consequently
,
teenagers
feel
pressure
to acquire these items.
Some
might argue that these
pressures
are not new.
However
, I believe that such
stresses
were not
so
strong during
earlier
times.
It could
also
be argued
that
pressures
at school are stronger than
before
. In order to achieve the lifestyle they
see
in the media,
teenagers
must
succeed in their studies
so
they can compete for the best jobs. Parental
pressure
, examinations and homework are all reported as causing increased levels of strain.
On the other hand
, although it may be true to say that modern society produces certain
stresses
it does not
necessarily
mean that
stress
was previously absent. In
earlier
times, hunger and physical discomfort would
undoubtedly
have caused high levels of anxiety, as would
hard
physical
labour
,
for example
, working down a mine. Any balanced view
must
take into account these alternative factors.
To sum up, consumerism and academic
pressures
are powerful causes of
stress
on
today
's
teenagers
.
Nevertheless
, it is my view that these
stresses
are no greater than those experienced by
earlier
generations of
teenagers
.