Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Teenagers in the United States - Statistics & Facts
Teenagers make up the part of the young population aged 13 to 19 years old. The teenage years represent a very special phase in which a person usually develops many of the characteristics that will shape their adult life. It is often an age of conflicts characterized by misunderstandings and miscommunication typically with the adult generations.
Due to a demographic shift happening in many western countries, the young population is becoming smaller in favor of the older generations. Nevertheless, the American adolescent population has remained quite stable over the last decade, accounting for 21 millions to 22 millions of the young American population.
Similarly, most of the students who have tried cocaine or hallucinogenic drugs were either White or male Hispanics. While cocaine and hallucinogenic drugs have been tried by some four to six percent of young students, marijuana is much more popular, with over 20 percent of students between grades nine and twelve stating they have tried it at least once.
The schools are some of the most common places where this happens, and adults often lack the capacity and means to face this problem. According to a recent survey conducted among American teenagers, males are more often victims of bullying than females. In addition, homosexual adolescents are more likely to experience this than their peers.
Due to a demographic shift happening in many western countries, the young population is becoming smaller in favor of the older generations. Nevertheless, the American adolescent population has remained quite stable over the last decade, accounting for 21 millions to 22 millions of the young American population.
Drugs
Teenagers are usually keener to try new things and make new experiences as they start gaining their first tastes of freedom. However, this sometimes includes being involved in unwise decisions, such as taking drugs or binge drinking. In the United States, binge drinking, which means having multiple alcoholic drinks in a row within a short time, seems to be more widespread among the white population than among hispanic or black teenagers.Similarly, most of the students who have tried cocaine or hallucinogenic drugs were either White or male Hispanics. While cocaine and hallucinogenic drugs have been tried by some four to six percent of young students, marijuana is much more popular, with over 20 percent of students between grades nine and twelve stating they have tried it at least once.
Bullying
Problems faced by young people during their teenage years are often underestimated or taken with insufficient seriousness. One significant issue which many adolescents deal with is bullying. The experience of being bullied can have large psychological consequences on the person, even years later in their adult life.The schools are some of the most common places where this happens, and adults often lack the capacity and means to face this problem. According to a recent survey conducted among American teenagers, males are more often victims of bullying than females. In addition, homosexual adolescents are more likely to experience this than their peers.
