Who.+What.+Where+&+Y


 * Julia Wells**
 * N8333131**
 * Colleen Niland**

**Who. What. Where & Y.**

Artefact: Season 1 Episode 1- BBC's Skins

Link: [|Skins- part of Episode 1]  S//kins// is a British TV show created in 2007 by Bryan Elsley. It depicts the lives of eight seventeen year olds living in England who are finishing their last year of college. The characters are Tony, Sid, Michelle, Cassie, Chris, Anwar, Max and Jael. Each episode of the season illustrates the life of one of the characters of the show. By telling a story of how they are coping with life, living with family, spending time with friends, and various exploits and sexploits. The group of friends encounter numerous dramas revolving around friendships, relationships, drugs, alcohol, mental illness and subsequently what to do with their lives after completing college.

Public Health issue

As displayed in a scene of episode 1 of the British TV Show //Skins// the Public Health issues facing Generation Y today revolves around alcohol, drugs, mental illness and the extent to which a Generation Y’er will go to have a great time. Through the comparison of Generation Y to the earlier Generation X, through statistics, an understanding can be qualified as to how the generations differ. By defining Generation Y, by varying characteristic and ideologies, this definition can be applied to the reason why these specific individuals act the way they do. With this understanding the topics of substance abuse and mental illness will be discussed.

Literature Review

Generation Y individuals are born between 1980 – 2001, they have high standards, relish in change and live to learn (Lower, 2008). Due to the rapid rate in which technology changed throughout their formative years Generation Y individuals think fast, want the next best thing in technology and seek new physical and mental challenges (Lower, 2008). World experiences which assisted in the moulding of this particular cohort include the fall of the Berlin Wall, internet, September 11, environmentalism and globalisation (McCrindle, 2011). Due to the occurrence of these events Generation Y’ers seek and revere ideologies and virtues like; freedom, trust, respect, community, hard work and acceptance (McCrindle, 2011). McCrindle (2011) states, “The young people of this generation do not live to work- but rather work to live. A job merely provides the income to do what they want to do. They are on the search for fun…”

One of the major public health issues revolving around Generation Y today is the rate in which they consume alcohol and the harmful effects of binge drinking, directly or indirectly. The National Drug Strategy Household Survey (NDSHS) reported in 2010 that the rate which individuals over the age of 14 consume alcohol that can be harmful increased from 3.5million in 2007 to 3.7million in 2010. The NDSHS also found that, “people aged 18–29 years were more likely than any other age group to drink alcohol in a way that put them at risk of alcohol-related harm over their lifetime (31.7% for those aged 18–19 years and 26.9% for those aged 20–29 years)” (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported in 2010 that Generation Y individuals were the highest among the other generations to receive verbal abuse by someone under the influence of alcohol, at a rate of 45.3% (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010).

Palk, Davey & Freeman (2007) found that 25% of all police related incidents involve alcohol and that individuals most at risk from alcohol-related harm are young people, such incidents that cause harm can involve fatal car crashes and offences against persons, distinctly displaying the impatience and drive for the next best thing. Van Gemert et.al (2009) conducted a behavioural survey in 2009 at a music festival which investigated the response of Generation Y individuals to anti binge drinking campaigns. In 2007 it was reported in Australia that over one third of people aged 20-29 were undertaking occasions of binge drinking (Van Gemert et.al, 2009). The results from the survey showed that 74.7% of the participants comprehended the importance and message of the campaign. Consequently the individuals who reported to undertaking frequent occasions of binge drinking were less likely to understand the meaning of the campaign. Essentially it can be interpreted that Generation Y’ers who enjoy and undertake binge drinking do not comprehend the consequences and will continue to search for fun.

In comparison to Generation X, when applying statistics relating to alcohol consumption and tobacco smoking, Generation Y seem tame. In 1991 the NDSHS reported that the daily consumption of alcohol in the population was at 10.2%. In 2010, for Generation Y, the rate decreased to 7.2% (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). Through media campaigns in current society like “Don’t turn a night out into a Nightmare” provides information to the younger adults of today on the dangers of binge drinking. As displayed by Van Gemert et.al (2009) majority of young adults understand me the message of such campaigns and take on the importance. Tobacco smoking has also decreased since the time of Generation X’s prime, the rate in 1991 of daily smokers was 24.3% compared to 2010 at 15.1% (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). This clearly indicates that individuals of today comprehend the serious health implications of tobacco smoking. As Lower (2008) stated Generation Y persons think fast, are impatient and are always looking for a new challenge. With these mind sets established it is understandable why self-destructive behaviour like binge drinking is such a normal occurrence amongst these individuals. McCrindle (2011) states that one of the primary concerns of Generation Y individuals is the goal to not be bored. With this information at hand it is interpretable as to why the overall percentage of illicit drug use has increased to 39.8% among Generation Y, as reported in the NDSHS in 2010 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). Illicit drugs such as inhalants, hallucinogens and cocaine rates have increased by four times since 1993 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2010). Aldridge (2008) discussed the “normalisation” of youth of today when it comes to taking illicit drugs. As an individual moves from formative years into adulthood the experimentation of drugs is a “norm”, an initiation of such into the deviant experiences of maturity (Aldridge, 2008). Bogart et.al (2006) conducted a survey which researched the effects of substance abuse during adolescence and how it fundamentally impacts on satisfaction of life once in adulthood. Substances such as cigarettes, alcohol and illicit drugs play a significant role in “growing up”. As stated by Aldrige (2008) earlier taking such substances has become normal when in the final formative years. The study by Bogart et.al (2006) found that substance abuse at the age of 18, “associated with lower life satisfaction at age 29…” consequences like loneliness, mental illness, low social skills and recurring substance abuse arose later on in life (Bogart et.al, 2006).

Mental illness has become a fundamental public health issue among the youth in Australia and throughout the world. Taboo’s like self-harm, suicide, anorexia, bulimia and bipolar disorder continually present in the media and are a growing concern in the community. Janelle Miles from the Courier Mail published in 2010 that “9.4% of 10-17 year olds had engaged in self-injury…” Factors that contribute to mental illness and low life satisfaction among human beings can be, low self-esteem, peer pressure, issues with family, depression and alcohol and substance abuse (Greydanus & Apple, 2011). Greydanus and Apple (2011) reported that the prevalence of self harm among Generation Y adolescents is 13-23%. It was also reported that 5% of adolescents who self-harm will suicide within nine years (Greydanus & Apple, 2011). These percentages continue to rise with no obvious reason.

However the question is what drives Generation Y individuals to such self-destructive behaviour which can eventually lead to mental illness and bodily abuse?

Cultural and Social Analysis French social theorist Emile Durkheim believed, articulated by Hamlin (2005, para.1) that if individuals are not able to live their lives in fulfilment and proportioned, for example equal amount of work and play, no human can be truly happy. Durkheim also stated that an individual’s capability for feeling emotions is limitless and that it can never be satisfied (Hamlin, 2005). By applying Durkheim’s theory to the ideologies of Generation Y; freedom, hard work acceptance and the search for fun, it is clear why the endless hunt for new challenges their impatience for life is the cause of their self-destructive behaviour (McCrindle, 2011).

If a human beings capability for feeling emotions is limitless, an abyss, Bogart et.al’s (2006) survey on the satisfaction of Generation Y individuals after years of substance abuse is partially correct (Hamlin, 2005). It can be interpreted that the underlying cause for lower satisfaction of life is due to the sentiment that an individual can never truly be happy. It also explains why the results in Van Gemert et.al’s (2009) study, why the small percentage of individuals who undertake frequent occasions of binge drinking do not comprehend or adhere to the anti-drinking campaigns. These individuals are still seeking to fill the abyss. Assuming this conclusion it can also explain the increase of consumption of cocaine in current society, compared to the percentage from Generation X era.

When taking into consideration the rates which Generation Y individual’s self-harm in current society Durkheim’s theory assists in the explanation of these growing percentages. Greydanus and Apple (2011) reported that 5% of all adolescents who self-harm will suicide within the next nine years, these increasing rates display how if an individual does not live their life in equal proportions of work and play no one can truly remain satisfied (Greydanus & Apple, 2011).

Anaylsis of Artefact //Skins// represents a Generation Y individual’s quest for the meaning of fun and how many different roads you can take to find it, as well as the defining who you are. Through the actions of deviance and varying illegal exploits these human beings are essentially self-destructing but having an awesome time while doing it. To me this artefact shows just how confusing it is to figure out who you are and what it is you want out of life, unfortunately the answer does not always present itself early on. The experiences displayed are true to form and have occurred frequently throughout the years, there is no new meaning represented in this piece but just the truth.

Subsequently, by researching Generation Y in comparison to Generation X and how substance use has changed, it is clear to me that Generation Y (being myself) is quiet worldly and understands the importance of health. Through the application of social theory, in particular Durkheim, I comprehend why the never ending search for a good time and essentially to loose oneself in the moment, is so important. Still, being young I have a lot to learn.

References

Aldrige, J. (2008). Decline but no fall? //Health Education, 108//(3), 189-206 doi:10.1108/09654280810867079

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2010).//2010National Drug Strategy Household Survey Report, July 2010.// Retrieved from []

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2010).//Drinking Patterns in Australia 2001-2007.//Retrieved from []

Bogart, L. Collins, R. Ellickson, P. Klein, D. (2006). Are adolescent substance users less satisfied with like as young adults and if so why? //Social Indicators Research 81,// 149-169. doi:10.1007/s112005-006-0019-6

Greydanus, D. Apple, R.W. (2011) The relationship between deliberate self-harm behaviour; body dissatisfaction, and suicide in adolescents: current concepts. //Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. 2011//(4), 183-189. Retrieved from: []

Hamlin, J.(2005). Emile Durkheim Anomic Suicide Sociological Theories of Deviance. Retrieved from: []

McCrindle, M. (2011). Understanding Generation Y. Retrieved from []

Miles, J. (2010, August 2). Youth self injury becoming an epidemic.//Courier Mail.//Retrieved from []

Palk, G. Davey, J. Freeman, J. (2007). Policing alcohol-related incidents: a study of time and prevelance.//Policing: An International Journal of Polic Strategies & Management, 30//(1), 82-92.doi:10.1108/13639510710725631

Van Gemert, C. Dietze, P. Gold, J. Sacks-Davis, R. Stoové, M. Vally, H. Hellard, M (2011). The Australian national binge drinking campaign: campaign recognition among young people at a music festival who report risky drinking. // BMC Public Health, 11 // (42), 1-8. Retrieved from []

Comments... Can Generation Y Keep up with every changing technology?

I really enjoyed your topic and choice of youtube clips. I found them both entertaining and confronting. It is true that there is now so much information made available to people everyday, but what do we do with it all? Is there going to come a time when there is just too much information available and people are going to consume it all and become some kind of walking dictionery and maybe be a little bit mental?

n.8333131

Girl, My mascara runs faster than you...

Wow, I found your piece to be very informative. I had no idea that those horses could be classified in sport like that. It seems highly ridiculous and patronizing. I hope in time that there will be more women's sport available for viewing, great title too. I hate to sound overly femenist but will there every be a time when women and men are completely equal? I must admit in the everyday dealings with life I have no issues, but this clearly displays that in some areas men obviously believe women do not step up to the mark- especially in sport.

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