Areas of Study
Research Methods
Data Tables
Contact Us
Site Map
Related
Link
|
2007 Healthy Hall Focus
Group Report - Youth
Youthful Voices
It is hard to find any one assembly that can
represent all youth, but the Chamber’s Youth Leadership group is an
impressive attempt at it. This group consisted of 19 teenagers
representing a variety of ethnic groups, backgrounds, high schools,
church affiliations, interests and talents. They were thoughtful,
articulate and willing to share their perspectives on life in Hall
County.
Youth appreciate the sense of community and
comfort that is provided by a city the size of Gainesville, and they
like the land and water around it. When asked to choose words that
describe Hall County, the youth chose words like "home," "community,"
"beautiful," "homey," and "friendly."
Of course, not every word chosen within the group
was so upbeat. The youth also offered up "polluted," "crowded,"
"overweight," and "segregated." Clearly, there was a lot to talk about.
Quality Of The Environment
The environment is an important topic among young people, and these
were eager to discuss the use of "polluted" to describe Hall County.
These teens see the growth of shopping districts and the urbanization of
the county and know there are environmental consequences. They see Hall
County as still very nice, but "somewhat polluted" as one put it.
Water quality is a primary concern. Students expressed concern that
Lake Lanier is not as clean as it once was or should be.
One young man who lives in a rural area of the county said that he
hopes to move out of Hall County some day to reclaim the farmland
landscape he says Hall County used to have. It is interesting to hear 16
year olds talk about the good old days, but even these young citizens
feel something important slipping away.
Youth Risky Behavior
The teens were asked about risky youth behavior they observe at
school in and in the community. Youth risky behavior is commonly defined
as substance abuse, sexual activity, tobacco use, violence and reckless
driving. When asked to identify which behaviors are the biggest
problems, one youth volunteered that the "biggest problems are, in
order, drinking, sex and drugs." Most youth in the room seemed to agree.
"Alcohol is the most common problem," said another youth. Why?
Alcohol is easy to get and is socially acceptable. "The coolest kids in
school are drinkers," said one.
Several youth helped explain that alcohol is easy to get because
there are many adults who are willing to provide it, even parents.
Although underage
drinking is illegal, it is not perceived as wrong—or at least not very
wrong—because it will be legal for each of them eventually. As one youth
put it, "It used to be legal at 18, but then they changed it." So there
is no social stigma to drinking, it is perceived as a grown up act,
pursued a little early.
When asked if
friends would disapprove if they used alcohol,
52.5% of Hall County seniors said, "not really."
29% of 10th graders and 41% of
12th graders say alcohol is easy to get.
Source:
Hall County School System Safe & Drug Free Schools & Communities Report,
2007
There are stigmata associated with drug use, but it remains a
pervasive problem. The most common form of recreational drug use
involves prescription medications stolen from parents or grandparents or
sold on a campus black market. One young woman told of having surgery
and getting a prescription for pain pills. She had left-over pills she
disposed of, and friends at school told her "you should have sold
those." It is reported to be common that other students do just that.
Valued drugs include Loritabs and other painkillers and muscle
relaxants. Other drugs visible among Hall County youth include meth.
Sexual activity is often connected with drinking and drug use, the
students say. They go together, but not exclusively. When asked what
percentage of students at there schools are sexually active, one youth
said, " a lot." Another said, "75%" to which another replied "80%."
By the time teens graduate from
high school, what percentage
do you think have had sexual intercourse?
Parents said 40%
Adolescents said 80%
Source:
Georgia Campaign for Adolescent Pregnancy
Prevention
When asked if there is any effort to reduce youth risky behavior,
several responded that "health class" is the only official response.
Health class, which includes admonishments and instruction to avoid
risky behavior, is taught each year in middle school and then again for
one last time in the ninth grade. When asked how effective health
classes are in reducing youth risky behavior, all 19 students were
unanimous (they voted) that it is not effective at all.
"People pretty much treat it as a joke," said one youth of health
class. "It is not challenging." Some youth suggest it would be helpful
to spread out the class and offer it in non-consecutive years. Others
want to see a total revamp.
One youth offered this summary of health class content: "You drink,
you die. You do drugs, you die. You have sex, you die. That’s health
class in 30 seconds."
Youth believe that education can be an effective way to combat youth
risky behavior, but it must be taught in an effective, engaging and
creative manner. More than "some coach putting on a video" to quote a
student.
These students do see the need for parents to get involved. Several
volunteered that their most effective instruction to avoid youth risky
behavior comes from their parents, and from their churches. A few
mentioned FCA as a resource they appreciate.
A youth behavior that seems to be yesterday’s news is smoking
cigarettes. It is not perceived as much of an issue or a problem in
according to these youth. "More people dip than smoke," said one.
Violence & Gangs
Whether violence and gang activity is a problem at school depends on
what school you go to. Two students from Flowery Branch said they were
pretty sure there where no gangs at their school at all. But students
from East Hall deal with gang influence every day.
"The teachers are scared of them," said one student. "Teachers won’t
do anything about them—they’re just scared." It seems gang members have
staked out one hallway as their turf and they control what goes on
there. "I hate walking down that hall," said a student.
Students expressed hope that the installation of cameras at school
might improve things next year, but as one put it, a camera itself does
not do anything. An adult still has to take action on what the camera
sees.
When asked to respond with a show of hands, about half the students
in the room said they personally new someone who stayed home from school
because they were afraid of violence or something happening to them.
"I think that all the gang violence is what’s going to get me out of
Hall County," said a young woman. "I don’t want to raise my kids around
it. I want my kids to be able to go outside and play."
Looking Toward The Future
These are bright students, and most of them have an eye on college.
They feel like they are being prepared for what lies ahead, but they
also feel their schools are not challenging them enough. "They dumb it
down for us," said one.
Volunteered another, "Both of my brothers have gone to college, and
they both said they wish the [Hall area] schools would have been a lot
harder. They said the teachers kind of walked them through it, never
gave them much responsibility."
Percentages of Hall students who
feel their schools always
have high standards for achievement:
6th Graders: 58.4%
8th Graders: 43.6%
10th Graders: 33.4%
12th Graders: 28.5%
Source:
Hall County School System Safe &
Drug Free Schools & Communities Report, 2007
After college, most are unsure they will come back to Hall County to
live. A few are certain that "this is home," but most are unsure Hall
County will offer them the opportunities they hope to seek.
When asked what characteristics would lure them back to Hall County
to live after college, some offered a few new words—involvement, pride,
perseverance and vision. Seeing a vision for a progressive and growing
community that continues to embrace the qualities that make it home,
would make Hall County the kind of place where they would want to
continue to live
Key Observations From The Youth Group
Alcohol use, drug use and sexual activity are high profile
problems in Hall County youth culture. Current efforts to deal with
them through health classes are inadequate, and are not taken
seriously by youth.
Adults, including parents, are the sources of both alcohol and
drugs. The drugs may be stolen from medicine cabinets, but alcohol
is often supplied willingly.
Parental engagement and support from positive influences like
youth pastors are more effective, but many youth lack these
influences.
Fear of gang violence is quite real in some schools, and totally
absent in others. Where gang violence is a problem, students expect
teachers to step up and do something, and are disappointed when they
do not.
Some of these student leaders feel schools and teachers do not
expect enough from them. They would like to see more rigorous
preparation for college and for life beyond.
|
Focus Group Table of Contents
Purpose
African Americans
Community Service Leaders
Latinos
School Counselors & Nurses
Seniors
South Hall
Youth |
