Adolescence is frequently seen as a turbulent and difficult period for both people and society as a whole. Teenagers are typically characterised as an unruly bunch that is prone to acting out in ways that are uncharacteristic of earlier generations. This has caused a persistent fear and hatred of adolescents that has been passed down through generations. While it is true that some youth groups are considered to be at risk and deal with a variety of issues, it is crucial to understand that these issues are not specific to the present generation of teenagers. Many of the issues that young people now confront are actually not much worse than those that young people in prior generations have faced. We should stop viewing adolescent development from a deficit viewpoint and instead focus on developing favourable environments and personal assets that encourage resilience and balance risk factors. The prevalent notion that puberty is an incurable sickness is one of the biggest issues that young people today are facing. Adolescence as a whole has suffered as a result of how frequently young people are seen through the prism of the “youth at risk” label. In actuality, a lot of the issues that young people now confront are not specific to their generation. For instance, today’s youth experience lower rates of violent mortality, unwed pregnancies, drug misuse, smoking, and alcoholism than did young and middle-aged individuals in the past. In addition, it’s critical to understand that the majority of times when youth problems arise, adult involvement is direct. For instance, studies have shown that children who endure abuse are more prone to face mental health issues and act in a delinquent manner. Young individuals are more prone to engage in these habits themselves if they grow up in a family that has a history of drug misuse or criminal behaviour. This underlines how crucial it is to concentrate on the favourable circumstances and personal strengths that foster resilience and counteract risk factors. It is significant to observe that specific groups of young people are considered as lacking, as a problem, and as needing corrective resources and interventions. This strategy, however, is ineffective since it weakens the impact of what ought to be focused research-based activities. Instead, we should focus on developing strengths by fostering favourable environments and personal resources that promote the existence of resiliency factors and mitigate risk factors. Putting an emphasis on creating wholesome relationships is one strategy to encourage the existence of resiliency characteristics. Strong relationships with adults, peers, and community members, according to research, can aid in young people’s development of a sense of purpose and belonging, which in turn can foster resiliency and favourable outcomes. Additionally, establishing trusting and respectful connections with young people might be important in encouraging positive behaviour. Putting an emphasis on developing personal assets like self-worth, self-efficacy, and a feeling of purpose is another strategy to encourage resiliency. These characteristics increase the likelihood that young people will behave positively and decrease the likelihood that they will take risks. For instance, studies show that young people who feel strongly about something are less likely to engage in harmful behaviour like drug use and delinquent activity. It’s critical to establish favourable circumstances that promote resilience and counteract risk factors in addition to creating strong connections and personal assets. Focusing on establishing secure and encouraging surroundings is one method to do this. Young people who live in secure and encouraging surroundings are less likely to participate in dangerous behaviours and more likely to demonstrate positive behaviours, according to research. It is critical that we abandon a deficit-focused strategy and adopt a new viewpoint on teenagers in Jammu and Kashmir. All teenagers being classified as “at risk” and being portrayed as problems degrade the great majority of children who do not merit such a reputation. In order to cultivate resilience and encourage positive outcomes, we can establish an environment that highlights young people’s abilities and potential. There are a number of suggestions that the local administration of Jammu and Kashmir should take into account in order to encourage the growth and well-being of young people. First and foremost, it is essential to fund extensive youth development initiatives that emphasise chances for skill-building, education, and employment. Young people can actively contribute to the expansion and development of the area if given the proper tools and resources. Additionally, initiatives should be taken to improve education’s availability and standard. For all young people to succeed in the future, regardless of their social status or geographic location, high-quality education is required. Promoting inclusive and equitable education that takes into account the varied needs and ambitions of young people is part of this. Furthermore, it is crucial to provide young people with secure and encouraging environments. This entails making sure that the necessary infrastructure, leisure amenities, and social gathering places are offered. The government should also actively interact with youth, promoting their participation in decision-making processes and giving them forums on which to have their perspectives heard. Additionally, it is critical to promote young people’s mental health and well-being. Adolescent-specific mental health treatments and programmes that target their particular problems and demands can help achieve this. Providing young people with access to counselling and support systems can aid them in navigating the challenges of adolescence and developing resilience. Finally, it is crucial to work together and form partnerships with civil society organisations, local leaders, and other stakeholders. The government may build a thorough and integrated approach to youth development by cooperating and combining its resources, skills, and knowledge.
Last but not least, it’s important to fight the misconceptions and pre-conceptions about adolescents. We can build a future where adolescents are resilient, empowered, and involved in their communities growth by recognising their strengths and potential and giving them the assistance and opportunities they need. The government is essential in creating an atmosphere that supports young people’s well-being and goals. By putting the suggested solutions into practice and making investments in youth development, Jammu and Kashmir can unleash the enormous potential of its young people and open the door to a future that is both brighter and more affluent for all.
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