Young Adult Issues

Impact of Institutions Social institutions affect the identity

formation of individuals• Think about how you are affected by:

Family The media Education Religion The economy Politics

Health Women statistically live longer than men

in Canada• What does this mean for caregiving?

Mental health issues are prevalent Since 1970, suicide rates have increased

(3500 people yearly, 2% of all deaths)• Caused by a sense of hopelessness and lack of

control• Men are 4x more likely to commit suicide than

women

Emile Durkheim (Sociologist) suggests suicide increases when expectations set by society are not met and a lack of control is felt• Society historically has lower expectations

for women in their roles, therefore they are less likely to commit suicide

• Women also form their identity through relationships with others so they are more likely to seek support

How would a Structural Functionalist explain? Symbolic interactionist?

Homelessness “Having no fixed place to sleep at night” The number of homeless youth has

increased by 80% in Toronto since 1992 26 000+ people in Toronto access the

homeless shelters 3 categories of causes:

• 1. Disruptive family conditions (i.e. abuse)• 2. Residential instability (i.e. foster care,

runaways)• 3. Financial Crisis (i.e. after living independently)

Most depend on begging or illegal means (selling drugs or sex) to meet basic needs

Health is compromised by high-risk lifestyle• Suffer more from infections, malnutrition, STIs

Rates of psychological disorders are high Street youth have a mortality rate 13x

higher than other youth Not likely to return to school, so they have

limited knowledge and skills How would the conflict theory explain??

Cultural Conflict Immigration creates challenges during

identity formation• Pressure to excel at school and work but

expectations can remain for traditional gender roles in the family

• Children of immigrant families are more likely to become assimilated into Canadian culture than their parents Why? Socialization at school

• Additional challenges arise when cultural values conflict between the country of origin and new country

Access to Education 70% of high school students say the

cost of post-secondary education is a barrier

87% of Canadian parents hope their children will go to college/university but many cannot help pay

Many fear the debts after graduation• Students from lower income

families will have more debt• Tuitions continue to increase

yearly

Multiple Roles Having multiple roles can create

personal conflict and stress• What are the roles of young adults?

Student, volunteer, employee, friend, son/daughter, sibling, caregiver, etc.

• Sandwich generation – young adults acting as both caregivers for their children and aging parents

Task: Youth Survival Kit Create a “survival kit” that lists items

a young person needs to make it through the issues we discussed today

Include advice and resources in your kit as well (i.e. where can they go for help?)