Young Adult Issues Impact of Institutions Social institutions

Young Adult Issues

Impact of Institutions �Social institutions affect the identity formation of individuals • Think about how you are affected by: �Family �The media �Education �Religion �The economy �Politics

Health �Women statistically live longer than men in Canada • What does this mean for caregiving? �Mental health issues are prevalent �Since 1970, suicide rates have increased (3500 people yearly, 2% of all deaths) • Caused by a sense of hopelessness and lack of control • Men are 4 x more likely to commit suicide than women

� Emile Durkheim (Sociologist) suggests suicide increases when expectations set by society are not met and a lack of control is felt • Society historically has lower expectations for women in their roles, therefore they are less likely to commit suicide • Women also form their identity through relationships with others so they are more likely to seek support � How would a Structural Functionalist explain? Symbolic interactionist?

Homelessness “Having no fixed place to sleep at night” � The number of homeless youth has increased by 80% in Toronto since 1992 � 26 000+ people in Toronto access the homeless shelters � 3 categories of causes: � • 1. Disruptive family conditions (i. e. abuse) • 2. Residential instability (i. e. foster care, runaways) • 3. Financial Crisis (i. e. after living independently)

Most depend on begging or illegal means (selling drugs or sex) to meet basic needs � Health is compromised by high-risk lifestyle � • Suffer more from infections, malnutrition, STIs Rates of psychological disorders are high � Street youth have a mortality rate 13 x higher than other youth � Not likely to return to school, so they have limited knowledge and skills � How would the conflict theory explain? ? �

Cultural Conflict �Immigration creates challenges during identity formation • Pressure to excel at school and work but expectations can remain for traditional gender roles in the family • Children of immigrant families are more likely to become assimilated into Canadian culture than their parents �Why? Socialization at school • Additional challenges arise when cultural values conflict between the country of origin and new country

Access to Education 70% of high school students say the cost of post-secondary education is a barrier � 87% of Canadian parents hope their children will go to college/university but many cannot help pay � Many fear the debts after graduation � • • Students from lower income families will have more debt Tuitions continue to increase yearly

Multiple Roles �Having multiple roles can create personal conflict and stress • What are the roles of young adults? �Student, volunteer, employee, friend, son/daughter, sibling, caregiver, etc. • Sandwich generation – young adults acting as both caregivers for their children and aging parents

Task: Youth Survival Kit �Create a “survival kit” that lists items a young person needs to make it through the issues we discussed today � Include advice and resources in your kit as well (i. e. where can they go for help? )