Many Teens Believe They'll Die Young

They engage in risky behavior because they think they have little to lose.

SUMMARY: Nearly 15% of teenagers believe they will die young, a reason according to new research that they may use drugs, attempt suicide, or engage in other unsafe behavior. The study, which appears in the July issue of Pediatrics and which was based on a survey of 20,000 kids, counters conventional thinking that teens engage in risky behavior because they think they're invulnerable to harm. Instead, they may take chances "because they feel hopeless and figure that not much is at stake," according to study author Dr. Iris Borowsky of the University of Minnesota.

Such a fatalistic outlook could cause their behavior to turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy. Teens who thought they would die early were seven times more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS than other young people and were more likely to attempt suicide and get into serious fights that could lead to major injuries. Adolescence is "a time of great opportunity and for such a large minority of youth to feel like they don't have a long life ahead of them was surprising," Borowsky said.

Dr. Jonathan Klein of the U. of Rochester suggested that doctors should seek to detect kids suffering from fatalism so that they might potentially prevent unsafe behavior. Native Americans, blacks and low-income teens are more likely to be exposed to violence and hardship and much more likely than whites to believe they will die young. Still, fatalistic teens weren't more likely to die than more optimistic kids; there were just 94 deaths reported from the more than 20,000 teens.

To read the entire article click on this YAHOO NEWS link.

COMMENT: This report should be an eye-opener for anyone who works with our young people. While 15% may not sound like much, what it means is that in an average class of 33 students five of them may be engaging in risky behavior and be fatalistic.

Some observers of religion are reporting it seems more and more difficult to get teens to attend church. Yet, an article like this one makes it imperative that these youth need to find out who they really are (beloved children of God) and why they can be optimistic about the future (Jesus died for them and promises to be a friend who is always by their side).

The challenge then for parents, pastors and youth workers is to get through to these teenagers regarding their spiritual lives and the true hope for the future which we all have through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus never promised that life for everyone would be easy and carefree, but He did promise to be with us to the end of this earthy life all the way to a blessed eternity. Also, I believe it is important to show teens the many ways they can serve Him, a reason He will grant most of them long and prosperous lives.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

According to the Food and Drug Administration, how many food recalls have there been during the past three years?

There were 214 food recalls in 2006, 247 in 2007, and 310 in 2008. Experts say the increasing number of recalls is due to better detection of potential problems because there has been no increase in food-borne illnesses.

Source: Parade magazine (June 28, 2009)

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