"Teenage Wasteland"

Donna Gaines is a journalist, cultural sociologist, and New York State certified social worker. Also she was an expert in youth violence and culture. She talks about how when a teenager commits suicide it is a personal tragedy, but when groups of teens form a suicide pact and successfully carry it out, it becomes a matter of public concern. I completely agree with what she is saying because this is a growing epidemic that has to be contained. Gaines examines both history and the biography of suburban teens to better her research. In my opinion, I see on the news and read about teen suicide cases, and most of them are caused by bullying and abuse.

Referring to my textbook “Experience Sociology”, chapter 3 talks about “Culture”. I find culture very important in someone’s life. It helps them have a mid set of what to believe in and follow. But some families don’t have this, either because they are atheists or they never follow what was thought to them. Page 59 in the textbook culture is defined as the collection of values, beliefs, knowledge, norms, language, behaviors, and material objects shared by a people and socially transmitted from generation to generation. This definition is true in my views but in others view they might contest this. Saying that the culture is there, but it’s the person who chooses to follow it or not.

As you continue reading this article on Teenage Wastelands, Gaines tells us about these groups of kids who commit suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. She tells us that they were dropouts “druggies” who barely got by in school and at home. Personally I think this is not true. Not all dropouts are druggies. It is either they have a different learning set then others; they have disabilities, family problems, or even abuse problems. That is why there is programs in the world to help these kids get past there problem, and live a good life. But some teens choose the negative path and sometimes end up committing suicide.

Gaines research tells us that mostly white kids kill themselves, and that how black kids in America are more likely to kill each other. Alcohol and drugs are mostly involved, but her other research tells us that kids prefer to go out with gas or drug overdose. In Gaines words “kids get bored and this boredom could lead to them occupying there time with drugs which might even kill”.

Kids these days have to moral in life and no respect. They just act out to impress people, mostly their friends, but where would that lead them? In jail, jobless, school less, or even dead? Kids need to wake up and see the world, what it can really do to you. Protect your life at all cost, and cherish what you have. Because there is others in the world who live to see another day, and don’t have anything to live for. There passion and dedication in life is priceless, and kids need to wake up and see this.