Challenges Faced by Today’s Youth [Infographic]

Today’s kids face a number of a stressful challenges that they must overcome to succeed in life. It is estimated that 60 percent of kids spend at least a part of their childhood in a single-parent family. Most single parents are mothers who must often juggle multiple jobs to make ends meet, and this ultimately takes its toll on the kids. Children tend to receive less attention and guidance on their homework, which leads to behavioral and academic problems.

Six out of 10 children who live only with their mother are living near or below the poverty line, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The resulting emotional effects on children include low self-esteem, increased anger and frustration, and increased risk for violent behavior. Further, parentified (a form of emotional and psychological abuse) children suppress their own needs and lack normal development and lack healthy emotional bonds.

Studies of school shootings—such as Columbine in 1999 and Virginia Tech in 2007—suggest that most shooters reported having a history of feeling bullied or threatened. Unlike the past, children today must overcome the threat of cyber-bullying as well. Social discrimination as a result of being overweight or obese as well as significant educational disparities are some of the other challenges today’s youth must often confront.

How do you feel about the challenges faced by today’s youth? Please share in the comments, and be sure to check out the infographic below by Master-of-Education.org.

Image compliments of Master of Education Degrees