Gen+Y+and+Their+health.+better+or+worse+then+Gen+X?

Names: James Duffy Student Number: N8286396 Tutor: Sophie Miller



Description:

This picture depicts a mother feeding her newborn via her breasts. This is the natural way in which newborns receive their first nutrients. The mother in this picture is seen to resemble a symbol of a fast food company mascot that is highly recognizable in today’s society. This picture is being used as a metaphor for the young generations growing up in a world that is run by corporate dominance, technically advanced and saturated and a society that searches for the easiest, most laziest way to achieve their own sense of social dominance.

Public health issue:

This artefact represents the world that today’s generations are growing up in and is symbolic of just what society is teaching the young. This essay will report on the health issues associated with generation Y and what throughout history may be the reasons for the negative and or positive changes. It will critically analyze the impact of generation X and changes that have occurred. Furthermore it will analyze the social and cultural forces that influence and affect the issue and will address its needs as a case in point for future reference.

Literature review:

A generation is a group of people who are born into a particular period and shaped by its influences and events. Although commonly defined by birth years, their attitudes, behaviours and values are formed to some extent by their surroundings and historical events that occurred when they were teenagers trying to establish their identity (Crowe, Hill, Hollingum, 2011). The turbulent 20th century has shaped generation Y in such a way that their values, morals and attitudes towards sex, alcohol, recreational drug use and Tobacco differ to that of past generations (Crowe, Hill, Hollingum, 2011).

The creation of the Internet has particular influenced Generation Y in such a way that by the time the oldest members of this generation where 12; the Internet was widely available and growing, providing anonymity to all uses, allowing teenagers to engage in behaviours such as cyber-sex in chat rooms, click away pornography and to research sexual topics without embarrassment (Crowe, Hill, Hollingum, 2011). Generations Y’s sexual attitudes and behaviours are more permissive than those of previous generation’s. They are having sex at a younger age and girls are as sexually active as boys. In 2007 The National Health Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) found that 20 percent of sexually active high school students said they have had sex with four or more people; two of five sexually active teenage girls have had at least one STD; and 12 percent of sexually active primary school students had three or more partners. As a result the government promoted educational programs that condemned sex outside of marriages and did not include discussion of contraception. Thus, students of generation Y were either given limited information or were taught nothing about contraception and prevention of STD’s. The problem that arises with generation Y is that it is seen as acceptable if one person likes another and both want to have sex therefore they are more permissive about casual sex and approve of comprehensives sex education, pornography, oral sex and masturbation. In addition, now and in the future this generation has become more accepting of homosexuality than previous generations (Crowe, Hill, Hollingum, 2011).

Youth is often the stage of life when people begin to experiment with alcohol and other drugs. Generation Y has experimented with alcohol and is partaking in short term high risk drinking, often referred to as binge drinking, at a much younger age then their predecessors. A study by the ABS ‘Australian social trends, 2008’ reported that most of generation Y males had first consumed alcohol at the age of 15 and for young women; the average age for first use of alcohol was around 17 years. The term binge drinking refers to one consuming five or more standard drinks in one night consequently leading to immediate and severe intoxication. This is major health issue into days society as it poses potential health consequences such as drink driving, abusive behavior, unwanted sexual activity and increases the chance of being in an accident. Although binge drinking has been prevalent in Australia for more than a decade, generation Y has taken it beyond the pubs and clubs to public spaces and parties at home. While there has been much discussion about easy-to-consume alcopops, the broader issue is the massive increase in packaged liquor sales to young people.

Living in a world of technological advances happening every second, it has allowed the production of drugs to become easier, cheaper and faster. Illicit drugs such as amphetamines and legal drugs such as painkillers will have harmful consequences that range from psychological and behavioral effects such as delusions, hallucinations, and aggressive or erratic behaviours, to high blood pressure, respiratory problems and kidney, liver and brain damage if abused and used inappropriately. The 2007 National Drug Strategy Household Survey found that 23% of generation Y aged between 15-24 years had reported using illicit drugs during the past twelve months, however this is an over all decrease as In 1998, 39% of Australians aged 14 years or older had at some time used cannabis (Adhikari & Summerill, 2000). In addition as more prescription drugs have begun to circulate, abuses of such substances have also increased. As a result over the past ten years the Australian government has tried to reduce supply, demand and harm by implementing a National Drug Strategy (NDS) aimed a providing a network that minimizes harmful actions of drug use to individuals, families and communities (NDS, 2011). Despite drug resistance programs and increased educational programs, drugs such as ecstasy and marijuana still find themselves in the mainstream (Yan, 2006).

With technological advances come medical advances. Despite its social acceptance tobacco smoking has many effects, most notably its relation to various cancers and has been know for many years (Australian Social Trends, 2009). In recent years there has been a major decrease in Australians smoking and being exposed to second-hand (passive) smoke as a result of comprehensive public health approaches, including bans on advertising, smoking in enclosed public spaces and significant investment in public education and media campaigns (Christen & Christen, 2005). The daily smoking rate among Australians aged 14 years and over has fallen from 30.5 percent in 1998 to 16.6 percent in 2007 (NDS, 2011). However these smoking rates continue to be unacceptable high in the general population. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed in the National Healthcare Agreement 2008 to targets of reducing the prevalence of smoking in the Australian population to 10 per cent by 2018. However the limitation is working out why teenagers choose to smoke despite them knowing the health risks associated with smoking and what ingredients are in a cigarette. DR Nick Carr says “smoking has been linked to depression, and recent research suggests that’s its not depressed kids that take up smoking, but the perfectly normal Happy kids who become smokers and are at risk of developing depression” but in the end the kids will make their own choices and all you can do is make sure they understand the dangers.

Cultural/social analysis:

Culturally, generation Y has grown up in the years of great technological advances in which the world has never been so accessible, interconnected, informational, educational rich and hyper connected. Generation Y is racially and ethnically diverse and extremely independent because of divorce, day care, single parents and the technological they are growing up beside. They feel empowered: thanks to overindulgent parents; they have a sense of security and are optimistic about the future (NAS, 2006). Generation Y has been shaped in an environment of more permissive parenting where their parents have given them more freedom younger, and for many, parents have morphed into peerants. The lack of boundaries and a failure to emphasise personal responsibility has created a context where there are choices without an understanding of consequences. Far from instilling independence and maturity, too much freedom too early creates a safety net syndrome where young adults are less likely to worry about the risks of their behaviours (McCrindle, 2010). Despite this, one major culture shift is the rise of women in particular young women drinking excessively. In the past, young women had dampening effect on male violence however; studies show that the growth in female binge drinking is rising faster than that of men (McCrindle, 2010).

Socially, generation Y has grown up in a society where binge drinking, smoking and recreation drug use is socially acceptable whether that be at music festivals, clubs and pubs or a social event (NDS, 2011). Technology has added to this complex problem via the use of social networking sites in organizing gatherings. With very short notice, plans can be made or changed, parties can be arranged or shifted and events can be gatecrashed (McCrindle, 2010). At the current stage generation Y is less likely to seek treatment for excessive drinking and tobacco use (NDS, 2011). This is because they have not experienced the health problems associated due to their young age (ABS, Social Trends 2008). Partaking in these activities allows social aspects such as conversations, companionships and other social contacts to happen. Despite the negativity surrounding technology and its influence on everyday life, generation Y has found a way to be socially supporting using technology as its main tool, using social networks sites to start petitions, lead advertising campaigns and promote safe health risk behaviours (McCrindle, 2010).

Analysis of artefact/learning reflection :

In reference to my artefact of a highly recognizable fast food symbol providing nutrients to a newborn, it has allowed me to recall the influence of corporate dominance on my own life thus far growing up in generation Y. Over the course of this assignment it has taught me that despite continued health warnings, bans and advertisement campaigns generation Y wont believe / listen to what health professions/ experts are saying and wont realize the consequences of their actions until it is too late. Although statistically speaking results have shown an overall improvement across areas, I do believe this is a highly under researched topic in regards to how often these practices are taking place. Culturally I understand that’s as Australians we have grown up with a drinking and smoking culture that has a reputation worldwide and as a ramification generation Y has grown up with this attitude and now it is seen as socially acceptable. As a member of generation Y I have grown up in a culture and society that supports consumerism and has helped produced a new world that is forever changing.

Reflection comments: > >
 * 1) http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/message/view/%27You+are+what+you+buy%27+-Implications+of+Gen+Y%27s+consumerist+behaviour/45693436
 * 1) http://healthculturesociety.wikispaces.com/message/view/+Is+generation+Y+‘real’+or+a+creation+of+the+media%3F+Has+the+media+created+the+ideal+body+image+and+what+impact+is+it+having+on+generation+Y’s+health%3F/45692286

References :

Adhikari, P. & Summerill, A. 2000, 1998 National Drug Strategy Household Survey: Detailed findings, AIHW Cat. no. PHE 27 (Drug Statistics Series No. 6), Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra.

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2009). //Australian Social Trends, 2009.// Available: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features30Dec+2009. Last accessed 4th Nov 2011

Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2008). //Australian Social Trends, 2008 .// Available: http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008. Last accessed 2nd Nov 2011.

Christen, Arden G. & Joan A. Christen. (2005). //Teens and Smoking Tobacco.// Available: http://www.teendrugabuse.us/teensmoking.html. Last accessed 3rd Nov 2011.

Crowe,F Hill, E Hollingum, B (2011). //Sex and Society//. New York: Paul Bernabeo. p326-328

Mark McCrindle. (2010). //Many ingredients make this gen Y cocktail of violence Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/many-ingredients-make-this-gen-y-cocktail-of-violence-20100204-ng35.html#ixzz1cio.// Available: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/many-ingredients-make-this-gen-y-cocktail-of-violence-20100204-ng35.html. Last accessed 4th Nov 2011.

McCrindle, M. (2009). //Understanding Generation Y.// Available: http://www.learningtolearn.sa.edu.au/Colleagues/files/links/UnderstandingGenY.pdf. Last accessed 4th Nov 2011.

Ministerial Council on Drug Strategy. (25 February 2011.). //National Drug Strategy 2010–2015.// Available: http://www.nationaldrugstrategy.gov.au/internet/drugstrategy/publishing.nsf/Content/DB4076D49F13309FCA257854007BAF30/$File/nds2015.pdf. Last accessed 4th Nov 2011

NAS Insights. (2006). //Generation Y - The Millennials.// Available: http://www.scribd.com/doc/2607132/GENERATION-Y-THE-MILLENNIALS. Last accessed 4th Nov 2011.

NEGUS, G DR CAR, N. (2011). //why teens smoke.// Available: http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_health/Transcripts/s911877.htm. Last accessed 4th Nov 2011