Adolescent Girls at Risk

Adolescent Girls at Risk

What risks are really in existence for adolescent girls growing up on the Arizona-Mexico border? Well, more then anyone in their right mind might be able to imagine. Adolescent girls growing up on the border or in a multicultural area are generally from lower income homes, which in itself introduces an entire set of risk factors. The main focus, but certainly not the only ones at risk, being that of minority groups, such as Hispanic and American Indian girls. In general, they are at a risk for teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse, gang affiliation, and academic and social challenges at school. Now this might not seem entirely foreign or surprising to some people. In fact, almost all high school students are at risk for everything listed, but the degree to which the girls are vulnerable to these risks in a multicultural environment can be alarming.

There are many factors that can affect an adolescent girl’s degree of risk, and these factors are generally characterized as “stressors.” Stressors can consist of many things, from family problems, to social problems, to problems with academics. In migrant children, the stressors can be from the actual act of moving. They can also develop from difficulties in adjusting to a new area where they are now the minority and are being discriminated against for the first time (Canino & Spurlock, 18). This can cause a marked decline in self-esteem, which leads to even more difficulties including metal health problems. Many risk factors affecting minority youth are enhanced by the fact that they are typically from poor, highly stressed families (Canino & Spurlock, 18). Among all of these stressors, there are remedies, including social support...

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