Question

In at least 250 words respond to one of the questions below. You must support your response with course readings and/or other relevant scholarly sources. Please List Sources. I prefer topic 2.

1. Adolescence has been described by some parents and parenting experts as being a time of heighted storm and stress. During adolescence, youth may engage in risky behaviors such as, having unprotected sex, using illicit substances, drinking, and smoking. Based on the learning resources this week, discuss at least two prevention strategies that have proven to be effective for reducing negative health outcomes related to risky teen behavior for at least two risk behaviors (e.g. sexual activity, smoking, suicide, etc.).

2. Many grandparents assume the role of primary caretaker of their grandchildren. Discuss at least two positive outcomes that grandparents may experience as a result of being primary caretakers of grandchildren. Discuss at least two negative outcomes that grandparents may experience as a result of being primary caretakers of grandchildren.

Answer 1

1. Teenagers need to explore their own limits and abilities, as well as the boundaries you set. They also need to express themselves as individuals. It’s all part of their path to becoming independent young adults, with their own identities. Also, the parts of the teenage brain that handle planning and impulse control don’t completely mature until about age 25. This means teenagers are sometimes more likely than adults to make quick decisions without always thinking through the consequences. Some preventions are:-

• Encouraging a wide social network
  You probably can’t stop your child from being friends with a particular person or group – but you can give her the chance to make other friends through sport, church, community or family activities. And if you make your child’s friends welcome in your home, it gives you a chance to get to know them.

• Helping your child handle peer influence
  If your child feels peer influence to do risky things, you could help him think of ways to opt out without losing credibility. For example, he could tell his friends that smoking gives him asthma. Or he can’t stay out partying because he has a big game the next day and needs to get some sleep.

2. Grandparents often are very influential in the lives of grandchildren, whether they provide occasional care, live close by or are far away. But becoming a parent to a grandchild means taking on an important new role in life. It is a global phenomenon that grandparents act as substitute parents in cases where their children as biological parents fail to take care of their own for various reasons.

• Grandparents usually anticipate later life as a time to enjoy the privileges of grandchildren without many responsibilities. Adjusting to the new role of primary caregiver typically takes some effort. Also, it may mean many adjustments in life planning, from finances to career changes to location and lifestyle changes.
• Most adults enjoy being grandparents and associating with grandchildren. However, taking on the role of raising a grandchild can bring mixed feelings because grandparents feel increased anxiety and pressure while also appreciating closeness to a grandchild.
• Grandparents involved in raising grandchildren often report a greater sense of purpose in their own lives. While the change may not be expected, most grandparents raising grandchildren describe a greater sense of purpose in life because of their caretaking responsibility.
• Raising children brings with it common stresses, from meeting basic needs to making sure homework gets done. Often, grandparents raising a grandchild experience significantly more stress than other caregivers due to such things as financial concerns, physical limitations or adjusting to transitions. Grandparents in this role need support in caring for their own physical and emotional health.
• The support needs of grandparents raising grandchildren often increase. Providing for education costs, medical needs of children, discipline and guidance, and other tasks require support and encouragement from others.