Essay Quiz


1			Consider research findings regarding the use of leisure time by adolescents. Compare and contrast adolescents' use of leisure time in America with those in other industrialized countries. What are the differences, for example, in the rates of adolescent employment during the school year in the United States compared to other industrialized nations? Do you feel that, as a society, America can justify these differences based on the consequences of adolescent employment upon academic performance and ultimately academic achievement? Based on what you know about other countries relative to the United States, what advice would you give policy makers in our country about this issue? Support your ideas and advice with research.




2			Research suggests that most school-age youth who are employed part-time do not save their money, do not contribute to the financial welfare of the household, and tend to spend their money without parental supervision. Do you view this as a serious problem facing adolescents in America? Why or why not? In your opinion, should the government play a role in helping adolescents develop a sense of financial responsibility from their earnings? For example, just as adults are forced to contribute to the social security system and their own pension plans, might the government enact a type of forced savings plan that would prohibit access to the money until the adolescent has reached college age?




3			After-school employment is widespread among adolescents in America, and its effects on academic achievement depend on the type of employment and the number of hours per week the adolescent is employed. At the turn of the previous century, labor laws were enacted to protect young children from the dangers of the workplace, enabling children to continue their education through high school years. Considering the environment today, do you see the need to enact legislation to regulate employment of school-age children in order to prevent the decline in academic achievement among those with high levels of involvement with part-time employment?




4			Psychologists have debated whether adolescents who take care of themselves after school profit from these opportunities for self-management or are at greater risk for problems because they are not supervised by adults. Describe how research can inform this debate, and discuss how parents influence their adolescents' outcomes via monitoring. What are the potentially negative influences facing unsupervised adolescents? Given that the numbers of households where both parents are employed full-time continues to increase, what would you recommend to your local school board to alleviate this problem?




5			Research has demonstrated associations between the types of media to which adolescents are exposed and adolescents' health-compromising behaviors. For example, some studies have shown that exposure to media violence does in fact lead to more aggressive behavior (although not to serious violence) and that exposure to images of drug and alcohol use and sex affects adolescents' attitudes and beliefs about these matters. However, some researchers question the direction of causality, and others suggest that adolescents determine their media exposure on the basis of pre-existing preferences and inclinations. Discuss the role of correlation, causation, reverse causation, and spurious causation in regard to media research with adolescents. Also, how does the following metaphor relate to these media findings: "What came first, the chicken or the egg?"




6			Some experts have argued for readily available after-school programs for adolescents that will not only deter problem behavior by providing adolescent with adult supervision, but will promote positive development. Describe the different models of positive youth development programs (HINT: Five Cs). Can you think of any modern-day youth programs that promote positive youth development?




7			Discuss some of the common misconceptions that adults have about adolescents' use of the Internet. Which beliefs are (and are not) supported by scientific research? With respect to Internet usage, what would you say is the biggest threat to adolescents' health and development? Can you think of any positive or productive ways that adolescents can use the Internet?

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