Adolescent Behavior And Its Effects On Human Behavior

* Factors influencing risk taking – drugs and alcohol can reduce inhibition and lead to sexual activity, peer pressure and family value system

Cocaine dependence has been linked to inappropriate sexual behaviors that in turn contribute to spread and increase of sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV/AIDS. Winhusen et. al. (2013), states that there is a strong link between cocaine usage and increased sexual risk behavior (p.1). These claims are based on the findings of multiple studies that have proven the strong association between cocaine use and increased sexual risk behavior. Users of these drugs tend to ignore safe sex practices because of the effect of the drug on normal psychological functioning of the brain.

The individuals that participated for this study used a format that was more of an open-response type report during a 4 months period time frame. We used: male and female sexual partners, they had to account how many times they times they had unprotected vaginal sex (e.g., not using a condoms), they also had to answer how many time they had unprotected vaginal and anal sex, with either a mates that was in jail, prison or normal every day citizen. They also had to answer if any form of alcohol or drugs where used before or after sexual contact, and the total number of partners (different partners) they were engage with.

It’s no surprise that adolescents tend to withhold some of their personal information from their parents for a variety of reasons. When the health of the adolescent in concerned, on the other hand, how should the situation be handled? Teenagers are an extremely vulnerable population due to the many changes, stresses, and difficulties that they experience during their everyday life. This is the time in which adolescents value their privacy the most. The same goes for how they handle their medical situations. When they are just going in for a yearly checkup, a vaccine, or a common illness, most teenagers have no problem sharing the information with their parents to ensure that they are well taken care of. Also, teens typically rely on

"Approximately four million teens get a sexually transmitted disease every year" (Scripps 1). Today’s numbers of sexually active teens differ greatly from that of just a few years ago. Which in return, projects that not only the risk of being infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD) has risen, but the actual numbers of those infected rise each year as well. These changes have not gone unnoticed. In fact have produced adaptations as to how society educates its young adults about sex, using special programs, various advertising, and regulating sexual education courses in public schools. One major adaptation is the advancement and availability of

With drug use and needle sharing comes the issue of promiscuous sex, for the prevention of contamination users must be aware of their health and if contaminated must inform the optional individual(s).

Numerous sexual partners enables the chances of contracting an STI, such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, or Syphilis, to increase; that being said, statistics indicate that one in every five teens has had four or more sexual partners. Teens of the ages 15 through 19 are among the highest rates of the population infected with the previously mentioned sexually transmitted diseases. Teens engaging in sexual activity are often exposed to diseases without full understanding of the ease that these infections can be transmitted; students need to be exposed to the severe consequences in order to promote more cautious future decisions, like the amount of sexual encounters. Many young males and females never acquire information on the numerous sexually transmitted infections that they could catch and distribute nor how to prevent or treat such diseases. The statistics of high school students that document receiving counseling on STDs and STD testing at a routine checkup with their doctor meets low expectations, recording at 42.8 percent for females and only 26.4 percent for males. The high rates of infected teens could be directly related to the lack of knowledge they receive on the possible diseases that can be distributed through sex. Without proper knowledge on sexually transmitted diseases, the

This lapse in judgement may correlate with the high rates of sexual promiscuity amongst some gay men. Subsequently, gay men who use methamphetamines during sex are more likely to participate in high risk sexual behaviors such as sex without a condom (Lyons, Tilmon, & Fontaine, 2014). Described indications in a longitudinal study demonstrate that methamphetamine continues to be the most commonly reported substance abused by gay man in urban areas (Reback, Shoptaw, & Grella,

Sex and drug use can affect people’s sexual activities. A survey was taken by college students in a Midwestern state. The findings indicated that “an increase of risky sexual activities, such as unprotected sex, having multiple sexual partners, or casual sex, was associated with drug use.” This, however, was more true for females than males (Broman, Clifford L.). More female college students were engaging in unsafe sexual activities than males when under the influence of drugs. This is probably because females are more likely to use drugs. Women are also more influenced by the drugs they abuse than their male counter parts.

The peer review Daily Associations of alcohol use with sexual behavior and condom use during Spring Break by Megan E. Patrick is based upon methods used, measures, and results. Students go on spring break to drink and have sex. People in relationships are more likely to not use condoms then those that are single. They are also more likely to

An experiment completed in 2002 identified sex related differences in adolescent risky behavior, with a sample size of 9,601 females and 9,165 males. 32% of males, and 31% of females had friends who used substances. 25% of females engaged in delinquent activities and 39% of males engaged in delinquent activities. 22% of females were smokers, and 21% of males were also smokers. 37% of females were or have had sexual intercourse, and 39% of males. 64% of females used contraception during their first sexual intercourse, and 65% of males used contraception. “p≤.001;∗∗p≤.01;∗p≤.05.” (Wilder, I. E, Watt, T. T 2002). The use of contraception has increased since the 1970’s, but studies show that adolescents are still unlikely to use contraception always. 30% of females, and 18% of males did not use contraception the last time they had intercourse. (Wilder, I. E, Watt, T. T 2002). There are still ongoing issues pertaining to the adolescent’s willingness to participate in risky behavior. One-third of adolescents from the study concluded that they did not use contraception during their first sexual intercourse. Parent’s exposing their children to risky behaviors in turn risk having children who participate in negative

Globally a large number of the population is infected with HIV/AIDS each year. According to the Center for Disease Control (2010), women represent about 20% of the estimated 47,500 new HIV infections in the U.S. in 2010. Often we hear of drug use mentioned as one of the potential risk factors of HIV/AIDS transmission, particularly injecting drug use. In 2007, injecting drug use was the third most frequently reported risk factor for HIV infection (Strathdee & Stockman, 2010). Among those

The practice of casual sex is more popular among American teenagers; however, the feelings of independence and empowerment obtained by it are not the only consequences. Having multiple random partners can result in sexually transmitted diseases (STD), HIV, unwanted pregnancies and other physical risks. Moreover, depression and intimacy problems can bear

From a sociological perspective the reason for why an adolescent is involved in delinquent behavior is because they lack the attachment to the parents. Certainly, Hirschi theory involves other three components to social theory and of course they play a role towards the delinquent behavior. An adolescent just doesn’t act upon a delinquent behavior without having any reason to it. As a child grows up mostly all parents help aid their child to follow into a good path. Not everyone is so fortunate to be given that help. Some children lack the guidance to behave in a positive way. Not having someone to guide them in way to do good in school and life can have certain consequences like being involved in delinquent behavior. They would think that no one cares in what their involved. At the same time they may be around peers that are not a good influence on them. Not to mention, adolescents go through a phase where they intend to misbehave. This certainly, contributes to them getting involved in delinquent behavior. Teens are usually hanging out together with friends and at time get peer pressure to do stuff that isn’t good. If, they have someone to guide them in the direction in not being involved in that type of activity is good both for the parent and child.

With the use of alcohol or drugs, be very careful. Being under the influence can make one careless about practicing safer sex.