Risky+Business+-+Gen+Y’s+Behaviours+Creating+A+Path+Of+Destruction

[[image:GEN_Y.png width="800" height="58"]]




//Ladies and gentlemen please welcome the 'Lazy Generation', formerly known as Generation Y...//

Artefact
Above is the artefact for this Wiki based on the health behaviours of Generation Y and what toll these actions are having on their health. This album cover is from the album ‘House Of Balloons’ by ‘The Weeknd’ - a link to their website and music can be found here. The music on the album is be classed as ‘alternative’ in terms of genre but can certainly be seen to appeal to a younger audience – Generation Y. As shown above, the picture features a topless lady sitting in a bath surrounded by balloons. On the cover also is the tracklisting for the album, including the names of all tracks. Included in the list of songs are titles such as ‘High For This’, ‘Glass Table Girls’, ‘The Party & The After Party’ and ‘Coming Down’ which could be said to describe a night out 'on the town' for an Generation Y individual.

Public Health Issue
The public health issue that relates to the above artifact is generation Y’s health and how this is not only having an impact on their health but that of future generations also. As well as their health, this wiki will investigate the potentially risky behaviours which is leading to the worrying health statistics for this young generation. However, is this generation //really// displaying more risky behaviour than that of the generations before them? Or is it just a case of ‘older’ generations critcising the younger generations. Throughout this essay, a critical analysis will provide insight into the various angle s of this discussion and provide answers as to whether this younger generation actually differs from that of their parents. media type="youtube" key="sX9DgavXiN4" width="382" height="315" align="right"

Literature Review
Many outlets of research are pointing the finger at Generation Y in terms of being the generation that is more likely to take part in ‘high risk’ behaviours. These behaviours are of particular concern because of link to health. Alcohol, smoking, drug use and safety at music festivals are behaviours that all contribute to decline in health and Generation Y is now becoming a concern. This generation of people can be seen as growing up and developing a culture of drinking until intoxicated and ‘living for today’ rather than considering the consequences that this behaviour may have on their health.  The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) (2011) concludes that some short-term effects of consuming large amounts of alcohol include an increased association with dangerous driving and violence which can result in injury or death. In addition to these damaging short-term effects, excessive alcohol consumption has the potential to cause long-term effects such as increase a persons risk of developing chronic illness or result in premature death. Many hospital beds are filled over weekends due to this risky behaviour also. Research conducted in the 10 years from 1995 to 2005 estimated that 813,000 Australians (aged over 15 years) were hospitalized for alcohol related injury or disease (Pascal, Chikritzhs & Jones 2009). In relation to alcohol consumption and young people, evidence suggests that this is an increasingly large problem within younger generations. In 2010, the Australian Institute of Health and Wellness published a report from 2001 to 2007 which focused on ‘Drinking Patterns In Australia’. Aims of the study included finding out what the prevalence of alcohol consumption was, the types of alcohol that was being consumed as well as alcohol and young people. The results indicated that 83% of individuals aged 14 years or over had consumed alcohol recently (within the past 12 months). In addition, 62% of youths aged between 14 and 17 years had consumed alcohol recently. From these, 7 out of 10 obtained alcohol from friends or family and 9 out of 10 youths stated that it was relatively easy to get. The study concluded that the main types of alcohol being consumed were regular-strength beer for males and bottled wine for females. According to Bye & Russow (2010) factors that were more likely to influence drinking amongst youth included youthfulness, smoking daily and having friends that also consumed alcohol Another seemingly large issue is sex-risk behaviour amongst youths. However, research conducted by life insurance consumer awareness campaign //‘Lifewise’// found that Gen X was more likely to commit to this risky behaviour. The study surveyed 1100 people across Australia from both Generation Y and Generation X and found that almost 40% of Gen X’s have had unprotected sex with a stranger, compared to 30% of Gen Y’s. This downward trend in this behaviour could be attributed to having more outlets of information in schools and the community these days with regards to safer sex and contraceptive methods (Maticka-Tyndale, Herold & Oppermann, 2003). For many generations, recreational drugs have been available for people who wish to use them and Gen Y’s are often criticized for being the main users of these. The Australian Institute of Health and Wellness conducted a study in 2006 on ‘Statistics on Drug Use In Australia 2006’. It was discovered that 38% of Australians aged over 14 had used an illicit drug in their lifetime and 15% admitted to using it in the last 12 months. Marijuana was the most common drug with 34% having used it in their lifetime. In regards to methamphetamines, 9% of Australians aged 14 and over had used these in their lifetime, with 3% using in the past 12 months.

Cultural & Social Analysis
There are many factors which can be associated with enabling these behaviors in young people. Cultural and social factors play a large role in accepted behaviours between groups in society. In today’s youth, it can be noted that it is more socially acceptable to binge drink and many events such as parties and music festivals have a nature of encouraging alcohol and drug use. In addition, gen Y is known as the generation that ‘lives for today’ rather than thinking of the consequences that risky behaviours could bring. Social media outlets have opened up a whole new gateway and method of publishing photos and videos of young people drinking and being inebriated which has also had a contribution on society in thinking that this behaviour is okay, week after week. Another factor that plays a large role in predicting risky behaviors amongst gen Y is education level. In many studies, having a higher education was associated with lower levels of alcohol consumption. The decline in smoking behaviour amongst young people may be due to the new laws which were implemented and required cigarette packets to carry warnings and pictures. Also, an increase of anti-smoking advertisements were also brought onto our TV’s. Another issue which many Generation Y's face is the scrutiny from previous generations who make comparisons between their generations. The phrase 'back in my day...' is a very powerful message which really does make one think back to how things were decades ago. As I myself am a Gen Y, I cannot speak from personal experience, however from what I gather from society, there were fewer boundaries many years ago and most importantly, more activities. Nowadays, swing sets are being uprooted because they are 'too dangerous' and neighbours don't know each other. One would make an assumption that this new 'cotton wool society' would have to be having an impact on future generations. Many (myself included) believe that a lack of activities which don't involve alcohol have lead to a generation that lives for the weekends to well, basically - get drunk.

Analysis of Artefact & Reflection of Own Learning
This album cover belongs to the artist ‘The Weeknd’ who produces ‘contemporary R&B’ music. This types of genre are often selected to play at music festivals around the world to appeal to the younger generation (Y) and therefore are also enjoyed by this generation. The cover itself displays a photo of a topless lady sitting in a bathtub surrounded by helium balloons. Reviews of the album and music suggest that they are songs written about ‘morning-after tales of lust, hurt and overindulgence’. Another reviewer praised the album describing it being ‘packed full of sex and drugs’. All of these characteristics can be matched to the nocturnal life of gen Y in one way or another. It is influences through music such as this that is potentially normalising the risky use of alcohol and drugs within our society. Through completion of this Wiki page, I have learnt (or realised) how many outlets //really// do sweep issues such as health of generations under the rug. Media such as news bulletins often mention the effects (either good or bad) of alcohol on older people or middle aged individuals but rarely do cover stories about younger generations and binge drinking. It is generally around 'Schoolies' time of the year when these are covered and even then, young people are portrayed in a light which patronises them and rarely offers factual information. I remember at school having nurses and police members provide us with information and talks to give us advice and guidance about what to do whilst drinking and how to stay safe at social events. I believe this stayed in many peoples minds and should be implemented at all schools from a younger age (not just when a cohort is about to finish school).

Reflections & Learning Engagement
This was a really great wiki! I was really interested in the topic of women being portrayed as just sex objects rather than idolised for their sporting talents. Society has unfortunately placed the spotlight on physical attractiveness and body image, as you mentioned, and it is just a shame that this end up on the playing field. Your artefact was really spot on with the topic and you made some great points throughout the essay. I was really happy to see someone who did this topic that actually made the point that women's sport has become focused on sexualisation rather than trying to make recommendations to 'split girls and boys up' at a school level. I personally think that is isn't being realistic and that in order for more equality on the field, these bigger issues of portrayal of women in sport need to be tackled. Great work with the article! :)
 * <span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Helvetica,sans-serif;">Monday 7th November, 2011 **
 * Posted on Alexa Murray's Wiki: 'Sportswomen or Sex Objects?'**

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">That was a really great article. I will admit, I never really thought about this issue very deeply and how it could affect basically everyone doing this subject. Your Wiki provided so much insight into the implications of not properly engaging and practicing cross-cultural communication. Great references also; especially the insight into the health system from a nurses point of view. Great work :)
 * Monday 7th November, 2011**
 * Posted on Michael Garrahy's Wiki: "Cultural Sensitivity, Can Health Services 'feel'?"**

Reference List
<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Australian Bureau Of Statistics. (2010) Alcohol Consumption. Retrieved from: [])

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). 2010 National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report. Retrieved from: []

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2011). Drinking Patterns In Australia, 2011-2007. Retrieved from: [|www.**aihw**.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442459808]

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;"> Australian Institute of Health and Welfare 2007. Statistics on drug use in Australia 2006. Drug Statistics Series No. 18. Retrieved from: [|www.**aihw**.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442459808]

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Bye, E.K., & Rossow, I. (2010). The impact of drinking pattern on alcohol-related violence among adolescents: An international comparative analysis. //Drug and Alcohol Review, 29//(2), 131-137

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Lifewise Health Insurance. (2011). Y So Naughty Gen X? Retrieved from: []

<span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 110%; text-align: left;">Maticka-Tyndale, E., Herold, E., Oppermann, M. (2003). Casual Sex Among Schoolies. //The Journal of Sex Research//, //40//(2), 158-169