The+highs+and+lows+of+being+a+gen+Y'er;+Are+we+healthier+than+gen+X'ers?

Name: Tiana-Lee Hosking Student No.: 8284628 Tutor: Emily Mann

** Cultural Artefact **
This artefact was retrieved from a website called Social Branding and illustrates the three prominent aspects of a gen Yer’s life as perceived by society; sex, as shown by the tiny, see-through singlet and black leather skirt worn over stockings, substance use, portrayed by the cigarette and glass of alcohol being held, and teenage pregnancy. This photo emits a feeling of hopelessness and submission to the life this adolescent mother expects is now hers. The slouched posture suggests she has given up and the cigarette and alcohol imply that she doesn’t care about the child she is carrying.

When you think generation Y what are some of the first images that come to your mind? Out-of-control parties, lots of alcohol, drugs, smoking, irresponsible sexual activities and unplanned pregnancy? For a lot of society these are the images related to gen Y’s lifestyle but how much of this is really true? Is generation Y’s partying, substance use and sexual activity as out-of-control as society perceives or is the stereotype of gen Y significantly exaggerated? The following research was undergone to distinguish truth from myth when it comes to the existence of generation Y.

To start off on a positive note, the percentage of people who smoke tobacco has decreased since 1995 falling from 28% and 22% of males and females, respectively, to 26% of males and 20% of females (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006). In light of the fact that the proportion of people smoking has decreased continuously over the past 15 years, I predict that this trend will continue into the future, thus eliminating the 15% of deaths that were a result of tobacco smoking in 1998 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006).

Cannabis use has also dropped since 1998 when the percentage of people surveyed who had used cannabis in the past year was at 18%. The percentage of people who had used cannabis between 2003 and 2004 had decreased to 11%, quite a significant drop for such a short period of time (McLaren & Mattick (Unknown Date). The rate of suicides by drugs also dropped between 1991 and 2001 decreasing, for males, from a rate of 2.5 per 100,000 people to 1.65 per 100,000 people in 2001 and for females from 2.1 to 1.25 deaths per 100,000 people (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2003).

While generation X’s alcohol consumption was significantly higher than that of generation Y it appears that since 1997 the amount of alcohol consumed has began to slowly rise again, suggesting that in the next decade or so the amount of alcohol consumed per capita may become equal to or even greater than that recorded in 1977 (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). While it appears that a decrease in the consumption of alcohol is a good achievement for the health sector it should be noted that the amount of concentrated alcohols, such as wine and spirits, has increased by almost 200% over the past 30 years rising from 2 litres per person to 3.9 litres (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Although the total consumption of alcohol has decreased over the years binge drinking has become a more common occurrence with young people. Evidence of this can be found in Wechsler and Nelson’s (2001) study on binge drinking in college students where they suggest that binge drinking has received increased attention since 1993. The study also found that binge drinking significantly affects the health of college students stating that 10.9% of students got hurt or injured after binge drinking compared to just 3.9% of non-binge drinkers. Another shocking statistic included in this study is that 22.9% of students engaged in unplanned sex while they were under the influence of alcohol and 9% of students did not use protection during their drunken interactions. The presence of this statistic leads me to the next health issue affecting generation Y, which is sexual interactions.

The average age for first sexual intercourse has dropped from 18 in the Baby Boomers’ time to just 16 in generation Y. The National Survey of Secondary Students (2002, as cited in The Age, 2008) found that 47% of year 12 students had had sexual intercourse and 15% of these students had had intercourse with three or more people in the past year. The large number of students who had had intercourse with three or more people is quite concerning from a health perspective, especially when it comes to the issue of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Doctors estimated that one in ten generation Y teenagers have an STI. While the presence of all STIs has increased the one that is the most alarming is chlamydia which had increased 300% between 1999 an 2008 (The Age, 2008). A study by Scott et al. (2011) states that adolescents between the ages of 15 and 19 have higher levels of reported STIs than any other age group. One factor which has contributed to this high rate of STIs is the fact that only 40% of year 12 students use a condom every time they engage in sex (Better Health Channel, 2011), thus allowing for the spread of STIs.

Another health issue associated with generation Y and their sexual behaviours is teenage pregnancy. Current statistics state that five percent of sexually active teenagers have engaged in sex which has resulted in an unplanned pregnancy (Better Health Channel, 2011), a statistic which can be backed up by the fact that abortion is the second most common hospital procedure for women aged 12 to 24 (Better Health Channel, 2011). According to Better Health Channel (2011) a considerable 50% of teenagers are sexually active for 12 months before they visit their doctor for a prescription contraceptive, which is quite a risky move when it is taken into consideration that around half of all teenage pregnancies occur in the first 6 months of being sexually active (Better Health Channel, 2011).

Harden et al. (2007) found that children of adolescent mothers are at a higher risk of depression and anxiety disorders, as well as other psychopathological disorders. In Harden et al.’s (2007) study it was also noted that several authors have come to the conclusion that a mother’s age at their first birth greatly affects a child’s cognitive and psychosocial development as well as their adult adjustment.

Social factors have contributed heavily to the health-risk behaviours of generation Y, largely due to peer pressure. An excellent example of the role peer pressure plays in the sexual behaviour of teenagers is that 12.6% of teenagers engaged in unwanted sex because their partner pressured them into it and 2% gave in to unwanted sexual intercourse because of the pressure their friends put on them (Better Health Channel, 2011). According to Flay et al. (1983, as cited in Aloise-Young et al., 1994), “peer pressure is at the heart of all models of adolescent substance use”. A test by Bauman and colleagues backs up this statement with results showing that teenagers whose best friends were tobacco smokers were about twice as likely to become tobacco smokers as those whose friends weren’t smokers (Fischer & Bauman, 1988, as cited in Wills & Cleary, 1999, p 1). The same can also be said for the consumption of alcohol, after a study by Curran, Stice and Chassin (1997, as cited in Wills & Cleary, 1999, p 2) showed that teenagers whose friends consumed alcohol at a young age showed a higher rate of alcohol consumption over time.

In order to overcome the issue of peer pressure in the instance of health-risk behaviours such as sex behaviours and substance use it may be worthwhile to implement longer and more in-depth classes focussing on these issues in high schools. Perhaps by investigating what goes into certain drugs, for example ecstasy and cigarettes, teenagers will be put off trying these things. It may also be productive to share the stories of those whose lives have been affected by alcohol and drugs, for example guest speakers could visit schools sharing their stories of how they became paraplegics or how they lost their friend to drugs. If educators were able to take the influence that peer pressure has on teenagers and turn it into peer pressure against substance use and sexual activity perhaps the teenagers of generation Y would not be so quick to engage in health-risk behaviours such as substance use and sex.

With regards to teenage pregnancy, the social stigma that used to surround the idea of being a young parent has dispersed in most parts of Australia (Better Health Channel, 2011), thus relieving the pressure young parents were accustomed to feeling and allowing them to remain an active member in society, rather than outsiders shunned to the side. This, along with the pensions and support systems available to young parents, while less prejudice and more humane than the old ways, has perhaps made the thought of teenage pregnancy less taunting for sexually active teenagers and, therefore, dulled the importance of using contraception during sexual intercourse.

While this artefact doesn’t necessarily represent generation Y precisely, it thoroughly illustrates the stereotypes that society has attached to the young generation. The cigarette in this girl’s hand implies that gen Y’ers are heavy smokers, suggesting that even during pregnancy this girl is unable to fight her addiction. However, as noted previously the number of people smoking tobacco has decreased over the years from 28% to 26% of males and 22% to 20% of females (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006), therefore the cigarette in this picture does not accurately portray gen Y’ers.

In comparison, the glass of alcohol in the photo is an excellent portrayal of the health issues affecting gen Y as it highlights the increase in the consumption of stronger alcohols, such as spirits, as well as the amplified occurrence of binge drinking in teenagers.

Another aspect of this photo which clearly outlines the health-risk behaviours carried out by gen Y teenagers is the promiscuous clothing worn by the girl. The tight leather skirt worn over opaque stockings and the tiny see-through white singlet suggests this girl is advertising her body in the hope that a boy will shown interest. This feature of the photo clearly portrays the shocking sex-risk behaviours carried out by gen Y teenagers and supports the fact that 15% of year 12 students had had three or more sex partners in 12 months (The Age, 2008).

Finally, this girl’s pregnancy maintains the fact that teenagers need to be more cautious when engaging in intercourse, especially when it comes to contraception.

Aloise-Young, P., Graham, J. & Hansen, W. (1994). Peer influence on smoking initiation during early adolescence: A comparison of group members and group outsiders. //Journal of Applied Psychology, 79//(2), 281-287. doi: 10.1037/0021-9010.79.2.281

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2006). Tobacco Smoking in Australia: A Snapshot, 2004 – 2005 [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2003). Drug Induced Deaths, Australia, 1991 – 2001 [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Apparent Consumption of Alcohol: Extended Time Series, 1944-45 to 2008-09 [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

Better Health Channel. (2011). Teenagers – Sexual Behaviour [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

Better Health Channel. (2011). Teenage Pregnancy [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

Harden, P., Lynch, S, Turkheimer E., Emery, R., D'Onofrio, B., Waldron, M., ... Statham, D. (2007). A behaviour genetic investigation of adolescent motherhood and offspring mental health problems. //Journal of Abnormal Psychology//, //116//(4), 667-683. doi: 10.1037/0021-843X.116.4.667

McLaren, J. & Mattick, R. (Unknown Date). Cannabis in Australia: Use, Harms and Responses [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

The Age. (2008). Sexual Infections Rise Among Gen Y [Electronic Version]. Retrieved from []

Wechsler, H. &Nelson, T. (2001). Binge drinking and the American college students: What’s five drinks? //Psychology of Addictive Behaviours, 15//(4), 287-291. doi: 10.1037/0893-164X.15.4.287

Wills, T. & Cleary, S. (1999). Peer and adolescent substance use among 6th-9th graders: Latent growth analyses of influence versus selection mechanisms. //Health Psychology, 18//(5), 453-463. doi: 10.1037/0278-6133.18.5.453