Describe four obstacles to development in young people, and explain how each detracts from healthy development

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Obstacles to healthy development include the following: 1) Obesity, which can have a long term negative effect on health, and overweight children often become overweight adults with additional health issues. Further, overweight students often face social rejection and negative perceptions from their peers. 2) Drug and alcohol abuse. For example, research as identified a link between long-term marijuana use and lowered IQ, and teenagers who abuse alcohol and drugs place themselves at risk for problems such as damage to their health, car accidents, and even suicide. Further alcohol and drug users are less likely to exercise, and they're less likely to develop healthy mechanisms for coping with life's problems. 3) Child abuse. Abused children obviously have trouble focusing on school and school work. 4) Peer aggression. Children who are aggressive not only have difficulties relating to their peers, but also can become maladjusted adults. In addition, aggression in schools creates an atmosphere of fear and distrust. Aggressive students often grow up to be aggressive adults who have trouble getting along with others in both the workplace and the world at large.