I think that this is certainly a philosophical question. I`ll start with the definition of youth. Since I live in Russia, I`ll say, focusing on Russia`s standards. So, In Russia a young man is any person from 14 to 30 years. Youth according to this definition captures a long period of our lives. However, it should be recognized that the beginning of youth is the beginning of the adult life. You receive more responsibilities, problems, life makes sometimes take difficult decisions at the young age. I`m only 17 years old, and, of course, I will discuss with the height of this age, and discuss the problems of youth in a small range from 13 to 18 years. For most the conscious youth begins at the age of 18 and for some people even earlier. But let`s dwell on it. . . Absolutely not every young Person who enters the stage of youth, is doing well and great. It shouldn`t be forgotten about the orphans, the homeless tramping children. I do not think that the period of youth is a happy time for them. Lonely, not supported by anyone except those fellow-sufferers, starving, freezing in the winter without proper clothing and nutrition, with poor health adolescents live in the streets. It`s not easy to be young for them. They do not have the period of youth as it is, they immediately get into the world of complicated adult life with many challenges: where to find something to eat, what to wear in cold weather, where to go in a freezing night and sleep peacefully.
We can not say that teenagers living in more or less affluent families, don`t have problems. They are just of a Completely different level than that of homeless children. For the teenagers aged 13 to 18 who live with their families very common problems are having a healthy lifestyle, self-criticism, setbacks in their personal life, the problem of unrequited love, a dissatisfaction with their own position in society, lack of pocket money, teens are often not satisfied with their appearance. All these seemingly unimportant
things, rather than problems inherent in many modern teenagers. But for teenagers it`s not trivial but important factors of personality. Unfortunately, there are quite a high percentage of children aged 13-18 years who commit suicide. This happens for various reasons, for example because of an unhappy love affair, because of falling in the influence of any religious organization or humiliation by their peers. All this is very sad.
I was personally acquainted with the girl 2 years older than me, she studied at my school, and was very active, positive person. But when she splat up with her young man, to everyone`s shock in a few days after the event she written a suicide note drank a large dose of potent drugs and died. Having come home in the evening her mother found her daughter already dead, and yet it was the only child in the family. What a blow it was to parents, it is impossible to describe. And for what was this suicide? To prove her former young man her sincere love? I can not answer this question. . . .
Another group of teenagers are children who are subjected to constant criticism from peers and at times systematic beatings, grabbing of money. It can`t be said that it`s only those repairs` fault who outrage. It`s also the fault of the children who suffer from such abuse. There must be a reason of such humiliation of the same teenager. This is primarily due to the weak character of the child, and children who once showed their weakness are no longer able to resist. These systematical claims often bring teenagers to suicide.
Children born in disadvantaged families, often also can not boast of a happy youth. Bad clothes, scanty food, and life on the brink of poverty leaves “happy” memories. But often, these young people due to their desire to escape from this life and due to their diligence become educated, influential people.
Now in our bustling world the teenagers have got many temptations that beset nearly everyone. These are drugs ( “light” and “heavy”), alcohol. They strongly affect not completely established adolescent psyche, making them potential victims of various religious organizations. In pursuit of acute sensations many teenagers create gangs involved in robbery, and sometimes murder, drug trafficking. Well, probably the most dangerous thing that many of them face, is the plague of the 21st century-AIDS.
In the 21 century it is very popular among teenagers to have so called “adulthood” life. What does this concept mean? This is unprotected sex, alcohol, drugs. A horrible set, isn`t it?
In the quest for knowledge of all the charms of adulthood, many young people forget that it is not so simple in this life as we would like, and often fall into the clutches of AIDS and hepatitis and can no longer get out of this “swamp”.
Health problems, unfortunately, also very common at this time in the world of youth. And it is not surprising. According to sociologists, 35% of young people drink alcohol regularly now, 47% smoke, 30% use “light” types of drugs. So it`s not surprising that most young people of the modern world have liver disease in 16 -17 years, kidney disease and cardio-vascular system. And in the modern world is even more difficult for those who have a congenital disease because the psychology of most teenagers is unfortunately the following: “If you are different from us, you`re not with us”. And children with birth defects have a very hard life, they have almost no friends, peers, there is no understanding with the outside world of adolescence, as if they are cut off from the world of youth. Such children usually grow up as inferior, flawed human beings.
At any age for all men and women relationship is very important, that is relation between sexes. In the youth world, these relationships play a significant role in the adolescent`s personality. If in the 90-s boys and girls began to meet actively with each other mainly from 17-18 years old, now this age limit moved up to 12-13 years old. And sometimes walking along the street, I notice these seemingly quite children, walking hand in hand and smiling to each other. When I see this, my heart fills with something like happiness. But what does such earlier relationship evidences? Perhaps, it shows the progress of society: children grow up much earlier and perceive the world differently than adolescents who were born in the 80-ies. That early sexual activity does not lead to anything good for teenagers, but the more attention is paid to the issue, the more interest it excites among young people, that is theadult society consciously rouses interest to this topic. Hence, there is a large number of unwanted pregnancies and therefore abortions, for which many girls are required, without considering the consequences. But often they are incited to this step by young people who do not want to become young fathers. Sometimes they are very sorry about this act.
We can not avoid the problem of hobbies of today`s youth. Now the number of things that can take interest is very great, and everyone chooses what he or she likes most. But sometimes these interests transgress the bounds of the law. In our time in terms of the interests of young people in the first part is the Internet and computer technology, communication with friends, music, sports, books. But it should be noticed that today`s teenagers get into a computer addiction, and often it is not less dangerous than drugs and alcohol. They can sit in front of the monitor for hours ruining his eyesight and not doing homework, but not for anything on their own they are ready to turn off the processor. This is one of the problems of today`s youngsters.
Music. . . Who would have ever thought that it could have such influence on modern teenagers to form their character and preferences? The most common kind of music today is pop music, and I can not say that it somehow radicall
y affects the psyche of young people, but for example, emo music and emo culture in general promotes depression, tears, pain, dark hair, long bangs falling over people`s eyes, piercing. In general, the style is not very optimistic. And surprisingly, many of my peers, guys younger than me are amendable to this trend. I was amazed to see these seemingly normal people who deliberately mutilated themselves, doing piercing in all sorts of places of the body, whose eyes can`t be seen because of fringe, who have a clothes of only two colors: pink and black. However, fans of rock music also does not look particularly pleasant. I think that despite what music you listen, you need to adhere to a neutral style. Though I understand why young people begin dressing in an unusual way, strangely: they want to stand out among their peers, seem somebody better than they are. But sometimes these attempts end in misunderstanding by others, and often expelled from the society of their peers. Unfortunately, music is not the same as 20 years ago, when every song had a sense, it was interesting to listen to. Now, when I see the concerts on television half-naked, dancing more than singing “pop stars” are more often get in the frame and the texts of their songs are monotonous and are not meaningful. Similarly, young people know now how to dance mainly by club music, and few people know how to dance the world-famous rock-n-roll or samba.
Previously, youth entertainment centers were interesting and what is most important safe for adolescents, the today`s clubs can not guarantee any security, because in exactly such institutionsdrugs are spread and alcohol is promoted. Is it normal? Of course not! Often in the street I see a crowd of my peers and adolescents younger than me, who stand in a close circle and smoke and moreover drink alcohol. And if I see a young man sipping a beer, I am still neutral to it, but when I see girls who smokes cheap cigarettes like a locomotive, I honestly feel ashamed! After all, life given to us not to destroy ourselves! Though some respond to my argument: “In life it is necessary to try everything! It is interesting to understand what drugs are or feeling a hangover after the party the morning! “. But not everyone understands that, once having taken the drug, you can say goodbye to your life. All adolescents are maximalists. This is the reason why many of them fall into the clutches of drug dealers. All maximalists believe that they are able to stop taking drugs at any time, because they have strong personalities and can take a volitional decision. Just they do not even suspect that their will no longer exists, that they are the slaves of drugs forever. The realization of horror comes to drug addicts too late. . .
However, there are not only black stripes in the lives of young people. There are much more striking moments, true friends. Through the life each person remains wonderful memories of school years, about the adventures which he had when he was a teenager. And if the child grows up in a happy family, a good student at school and does not communicate with bad company, then he has every chance of becoming a successful person without encountering along the way any serious problems.
Someone in their teens meets his love and not leave it all their life, living in happiness and joy. After all, childhood is the happiest time, if the child has a warm home, loving parents, loyal friends. And from this side it seems easy to be young. After all, virtually no duties, except that everyone should study at school a lot of free time (it will not suffice only in high school), and you can do what you want. And this is happiness. Only we (teenagers) do not think about it, taking for grunted being supported by the parents and the fact that we are not obliged to anyone and free. And only then, in 15-20 years we realize how good it was and easy to live as a teenager Because adults are so busy and full of problems they are so tired but young people take everything much easier and have more fun.
Of course, my view may not necessarily reflect the views of philosophers and sociologists, but I write from the side of a young man and a part of the world of adolescents and of course my story is the result of my thoughts. I am just like many of my peers and of course like any teenager my character has its pluses and minuses. I am a maximlist like most young people. What can I say about my inner world? This world is already fairly well established, I have my own preferences and beliefs which I hold and which I uphold. Of course I am a choleric. IfI laugh then laugh heartily if you swear then to the white heat. Despite this hardly ideal character, I have quite a lot of friends around the world, and of course in Russia, where I live. I often travel and I am familiar to young people from Sweden, Turkey, England, Scotland, Canada, the USA, Nigeria and even Japan. And I find a common language with everyone, despite the different cultures of our peoples traditions and values. In all situations, I can cheer any man up there is a ray of optimism inside me. But in debates, I always stuck with only my views, and virtually nothing can make me change it, although perhaps I`m not always right. My nature helps me in my achievements. Once you ask? I Answer. In my 17 years I am a candidate for the Master of Sports in judo, and two years ago, I took the third place at the federal level competitions after which I was invited to the judicial board for judo Republic of Bashkortostan, despite of my young age. Naturally I agreed and now I go to manycities in Russia, where the judo competition take place, I work as an arbitrator and get paid for it. Not many of my contemporaries can boast such achievements. But a decisive factor in my success such a trait as obstinacy and desire to win that is inherent in any choleric. Sometimes I stumbled on the lack of understanding from the adult generation and of course argue trying to prove my point. I have a “sharp tongue” and in all situations I find the answer, but sometimes my tongue I doesn`t bring up to good, and I`m arguing with people close to me and friends.
Now among my peers and even in myself I began noticing egoism. Everyone tries to be better than others, while not stopping in front of almost any kind of obstacles on this path. Maybe selfishness is also inherent in the majority of young people though it is weakly expressed in some but stil, there are no people who do not think about their own advantage. All of us are a little bit selfish, and someone is nota bit. But if I am asked if I`d like to live in a world youth 30 years ago I can certainly respond with a refusal despite all the problems and shortcomings of the today`s young generation. Yes, and I have reasons. It is first of all modern technology. Yes, I do not deny that I am a little bit dependent on them now, I would miss cell phone, the Internet, computer games. And probably all of my peers would respond the same way as me. Yes, we all love nature, but to live on fresh air for a long time none of today`s teenagers want to, because there aren`t those conveniences to which they are accustomed in everyday life. Also a resident of rural areas will not be able to feel comfortable in a stuffy town.
Our government assures everybody that it is necessary to support young people, to create youth organizations, to build new sports facilities for children and adolescents, to increase salaries for teachers and doctors, but for the last 6 years only small improvements arenoticeable in this area. Only few building for sport have been built and they are often given in the hands of private owners, and young people have to do sports in the basements (I had been doing it for over 8 years) until my coach found a decent room for her own money. But adolescents are sporting future of Russia, and good conditions for sport should be provided for them.
School is the most important stage in the life of everyone, and teachers are people who help still very young naive kids become decent personalities. And what happens? Why do some teachers from the very yo
uth and all their life live in the dorms (and I know such teacher), and get by modern standards a small salary, sacrificing personal time for the kids at the same time. This issue is being discussed more than a year, but hasn`t significantly changed. Children`s clinics, where doctors should treat and protect children and teenagers, vegetate. Especially young doctors are in need of money and they are obliged to save human beings lives. It should be confessed that there are many youth organizations in Russia now, but few of them get real help and support from the state.
Perhaps, I`ll turn to the conclusions of my story.
I am convinced that there isn`t a single answer to the question if it is easy to be young or not. In teenage life there are both positive and negative points. This question can safely be called the eternal, or philosophical. I live in a wealthy family and I especially do not complain at that I am given an excellent education, my parents buy good clothes, teach me life, help in difficult situations and I`m happy. But many do not have all that I have, and we can not say that all teenagers are absolutely happy. Some would say that it`s easy to be young, someone would say that not very much, so many people, so many opinions. I thank God that I was born and grow up in good conditions, need nothing. Some adults think that youth are turning away from religion. But it isnot true. I agree that it is not fashionable to go to church to pray, and therefore we do not see mass youth-church movements, but I assure you, almost every teenager believes in God, and occasionally whispers a short prayer, which his or her grandmother taught in a recent past, thanks God for successfully passed examinations or good luck. And so, as before, young people believe in God, and can not exist without the religious component. Still, this trend of changing in youth is due to the global progress of society. You can not compare the current youth and the one that was 30 years ago, every generation has its own behavior and values, and these values should not be persecuted as some adults are trying to do now.
That`s all I wanted to say about the question “Is it easy to be young”.
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