Schools and Adolescent Success

Schools and Adolescent Success

Alexander J Guckenberger

Harford Community College

Abstract

There are comparably preferable ways to school adolescents. Schooling can be beneficial to adolescents under the right circumstances. Many students are in need of an improved schooling environment.

Schooling can be essential to the development and the success of adolescents. The school environment may help young members of our society prepare for preferable employment opportunities, make good decisions as participating societal members, and to live a mentally and physically healthy life. However, there exists a problem; these kids could sometimes do so much better. Schooling can indeed help adolescents with their futures, but there is a necessity that their schooling is done well. The problem is that many children stop attending school, support for academic successfulness is sometimes deficient, and too many children struggle to afford the fundamentals of their educations. Even so, there are ways to help all children gain the success that they deserve.

Approximately one student drops out of school every twenty-six seconds (Padrón, 2009, p. 20). If adolescents are to gain the benefits of education, then ending said education poses a crucial problem. Too many students are leaving that which may be the potential for a firm foundation of a successful future. One possible solution to this problem would be stricter punishments for those individuals who stop attending school. Prison time for adolescents who refuse to attend their schooling responsibilities may give children the tough love that they need to go on a path that will benefit them in the long run of things. However, such draconian policies could also encourage even greater rebellion. Even worse; those children who need to work very hard just to survive would be punished for living in situations that they have little to no choice controlling. Even so, this could be solved by only imprisoning those rebellious children living by certain standards. For example, young people who have permanent shelter, parents within a certain income range, and who are not employed could be subject to far harsher punishments than those children living in greater scarcity. The type of procedures wherein one is asked for proof of income, employment status, and residence is not a new concept to most people. Such questions, when asked by the appropriate governing authorities, are reasonable enough.

Students need support from their parents and from their peers. However, problems can arise. Some children do not have parents. Also disconcerting, some adolescents are without close friends. These problems can be even more disturbing when one considers additional variables that affect the problem of academic guidance. According to Individual and Social Factors Related to Urban African American Adolescents’ School Performance, “[m]any urban children are from low income families, which are… socially underserved” (Somers, Owens, & Piliawsky, 2008, p. 2). To fix this concern, the ever increase of social activities on campuses and in grade school should continue to be encouraged by governing officials, people of high reputation, and every other member of the communities related to our nation’s youth. Further social initiatives should be proposed and heard at council meetings and the like. High school and college graduates should offer their mentorship and support to those children who are struggling with their schooling. Adults need to take the time to be present and attentive to the needs of the coming generation in order to protect our species’ future.

Finally, many of today’s youth are have trouble with their financial capabilities. This affects academic achievement as “[a] link between poverty and school drop out has been identified” (Somers, Owens, & Piliawsky, 2008, p. 2). In grade school, students need to buy notebooks and papers and pens. Students of all ages need to purchase food. College students may have trouble paying for the privilege of higher education; for some, such an academic venture may seem out of the question financially. Students will not be successful if they quit, believing that education is outside of their monetary capabilities. Awareness for financial aid and scholarships should be increased. Billboards, television commercials, and various manifestations of announcements can help with this problem. Furthermore, members of our communities can help through donations. Availability of free books, school utensils, and various other school resources should have a positive effect on the continuity of the academic progression of students from low income families.

In conclusion, academic success helps our youth find good jobs, make informed choices, and aids with their overall health. Regardless, too many children drop out of a life of academia, have little or no support, and are without the money necessary for basic schooling needs. These problems can be fixed with the help of our governing bodies, our societal members of prestige, and everyone else that can play an important role in these adolescents’ lives.

References

Padrón, E. J. (2009). An AMERICAN Crisis. Presidency, 12(1), 18-23.

Somers, C. L., Owens, D., & Piliawsky, M. (2008). Individual and Social Factors Related to Urban African American Adolescents’ School Performance. High School Journal, 91(3), 1-11.