Are Teenagers Growing Up too Fast?

For most teenagers, going out to the movies with friends or having a family barbecue sounds like the perfect life. As children, we are expected to go to school where we are educated and enjoying school with our friends. However, there is a dark side for everything. Many teenagers are also engaged in drug use at a young age, pregnant before graduating high school and taking up adult responsibilities. Are teenagers growing up too fast in today’s society?

More than 60% of teenagers believe that trying any drug for the first or second time is not harmful. This results in many ‘tweens’ (12-18 year olds)  experimenting with many different drugs today such as alcohol, tobacco products, cannabinoids and stimulants. Marijuana and Hashish being the most commonly used drugs. According to MedicineNet.com, teenagers engage with drugs because of “low parental supervision or communication, family conflicts, inconsistent or severe parental discipline and family history of alcohol or drug abuse.” It is also believed that many teenagers are pressured into using drugs to fit in or/and to be ‘cool’. At a young age, drugs can have a massive impact on a young person's educational, social, family and future life. Why give up a healthy life now?

Imagine waking up with morning sickness, then having to pick up a pregnancy test on your way home from school. The test comes out positive. Now, what are you going to do? New Zealand is a small country with less than 5 million residents. Yet it has the third highest teen pregnancy rate for girls between the age of 12-18 years old. A teenager is still a child themselves. How are they going to raise another child? Rape is a different story but there are many teenagers who choose to have unprotected, underage sex. By doing this, they have put themselves in a situation where pregnancy interrupts their education. This would lead to a not so successful job and life in the future.

As a teenager myself, I can say that I enjoy having a part time job so I can afford what I want. Although work does have an impact on education, a high school student should have at least 30min-2hrs of study every day. Teenagers who have part time jobs have to balance out school and work to ensure students are meeting achievement standards and are doing well in school. Many parents encourage their teenagers to get a part time job because they’re spending too much money on their children. Many part time jobs offer after school and weekend shifts meaning teenagers would have to study late at night. This would cause sleepless nights and stress. Although being able to afford what you want is great, education comes first.

For young people, being in a community where they are constantly surrounded by curious teenagers who are experimenting may sound tempting. Instead, think about having a healthy and successful life. Every day, you will be making your parents proud by not coming home high or/and pregnant. You will be doing well in school, working and balancing out school work. As a teenager with a lot of potential,  you have your whole life in front of you. So live your childhood while you still have the time. Don’t rush your childhood because adulthood would be a challenge.


Louisa Tan