Teen Involvement In Schools

“Where on Earth have all the kids gone?” This question has been echoed around the world by community members from the south pole to the arctic circle. A shocking lack of teen involvement in places once the pride of the youths who participated in them has gripped the nation… nay, the world! Let’s face it- being involved in the community as a teen has become stigmatized. Their peers view it as a frivolity, and an unnecessary distraction from time they believe would be better spent playing Fortnite or Snapchatting. In all reality, I myself think that, sometimes. But, this mindset is only semi-permanent. If teens were offered positions or ways to be active in the community and school district where they knew they could have an effect, they would …show more content…
Dealing with civil processes at an early age will build skills for the future, allowing teens to experience what it’s like in the real world, working in close proximity to others to achieve a common goal. Regardless of how they take initiative in the community or school, they will gain valuable experience that is applicable to adult life. If you’re not terribly convinced yet, take it from the experts- according to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Community involvement is a great opportunity to show initiative and develop skills to be used in the future,” and “Being able to manage free time while balancing leisure, work and study is an important life skill. Community involvement could motivate children to get more organised and start to manage their own time.” The skills we learn by taking roles in our community build us to face the future. Without the skills community involvement teaches us, we could not function as a society. Participating in decision making processes in school and out would be, overall, beneficial to the youth of this …show more content…
According to the TPPR (Teen Pregnancy Prevention Review) after bringing aboard an advisory committee of teenage girls to improve on existing legislature regarding the issues at hand, teen pregnancies dropped 7.4% in the first year alone, as a direct result of the changes suggested and implemented by the council. This is cold, hard evidence of the effects 10 teens had on an entire nation. If opportunities such as this were provided, teens would be all over it. The thought of making an actual difference in the world is enticing to adults and teens alike, and the entire deal would be beneficial for all involved. Though implementing any such advisory position, whether to state congressmen or city council members, would mean cutting through a wilderness of red tape, there are back routes through the bureaucratic processes, and if those fail, well… who could say no to cold hard