Reference no: EM133719426

Assignment: Social Control and Drug Use among Young Adults Research Paper

Abstract

According to social control theory, what causes drug use, like most or all deviant behavior, is the absence of social controls encouraging conformity. Most of us do not engage in deviant or criminal acts because of strong bonds to conventional, beliefs, activities, and ties with our parents and peers. This study examines how weak and strong bonds with parents, peers, and society affect young adult behavior. This research uses a panel study to examine how weak and strong bonds affect subjects and their behavior and also the long-term effects of subjects who continue to use and not use drugs throughout their life course. The findings clarify how social controls affect young adults choosing the correct life course.

Introduction

Within society, social control helps groups of people in the community behave accordingly actively or passively. Without social control, young adults are more likely to experiment with illicit drugs, whichcan affect their life in various aspects. Most of us engage in at least one "technically" illegal act because we are all curious at some point. Social control plays a factor in everyones lives on a daily basis in regards to having to work, or volunteer with a program in the community, attend school, engage in extracurricular activities, spending time with family, and moral beliefs. Social control is the close bond individuals have with society; it can be either weak or strong. What may influence drug use, like most or all deviant behavior,is the absence of parental attachment, social ties with the community. Reason being is because an individual is more likely to act accordingly to social norms If the bond is strong, drug use will still occur amongst a small circle, but those who have a strong bond with society will behave and may not come across the thought of drug use. If there is no bond with society, then the individual is free from the controls which lead them to behave however they want, which most likely turns to drug use. Without feeling comfortable in engaging with society or family, individuals are likely to turn to delinquent and criminal behavior including drug use.

Drug use and socioeconomic outcomes

This article investigates the longitudinal impact on drug use and the socioeconomic outcomes in young adults. Researchers have clarofied studies that drug use in adolescents can have a positive, negative, and fair outcome in the future. A comparison is made between alcohol use and drug use. Whereas alcohol is a socially accepted "lubricant" used at social gatherings such as parties, weddings, etc. Whereas, drug use is illegal and in most cases it is not socially accepted. Alcohol is the most widely used substance along with marijuana by young adults. Although teenagers get curious about other drugs they most likely are not bound to try them due to the fearful outcomes. Having possession of any illegal substance at any age is a crime. Drug use as an adult and young adult can lead to deviants and dangerous behavior, which can cause your life to be at risk. As stated in the article "the research of Chassin and colleagues (1999) suggested that the use of illegal drugs negatively affected teen's independence and freedom along with their capability" (Broman, 2009. P.2). However, heavy use of alcohol had either no effect or a positive impact in competence in young adulthood. This article also, discusses the cost of drugs, and how most teens do not have sufficient funds to purchase. In this case teens are tempted to turn to deviant behavior in order to obtain enough currency to purchase the substances.

Title: The Conditional Effect of Parental Drug Use on Parental Attachment and Adolescent Drug Use
Author: Laurie A. Drapella, Clayton Mosher

1) How has it been used?
2) What concepts are important?
3) What has been found?

A. This study uses the frameworks of social control theory and the social development model to analyze the impact of parental drug use and parent-child attachments on youth substance use.

B. This study draws upon the concepts of differential imitation and differential reinforcements in its explanation of pro-social and antisocial paths of adolescent behavior.

C. What has been found is that youth who are strongly attached to the male figure(s) in the household where parents ARE drug users, are more likely to become users of illicit drugs, whereas children who are strongly attached to the male figure(s) in the household where parents are NOT drug users, are less likely to become users. Parental deviance plays a key role in the antisocial behaviors of adolescents.

Title: The Longitudinal Impact of Adolescent Drug Use on Socioeconomic Outcomes

1) How has it been used
2) What concepts are important?
3) What has been found?

A. It has been used by investigating the long-term impact of substance use in adolescents on a variety of outcomes

B. The important concepts include: (i) socioeconomic affects can be and usually are measured by the type of substances being used by the adolescent, (ii) the use of illegal drugs negatively affect the autonomy and competence in young adults.

C. Epidemiological findings show that approximately 45% of older adolescents have tried illegal substances (drugs) and almost 90% of adolescents have tried only alcohol. The literature suggests that the relationship between substance abuse in adolescence and outcomes in adulthood is quite complex. The most important finding in this research is that the socioeconomic outcome is variable depending on the types of substances used.

Title: Community, Family, and Peer influences on alcohol, marijuana, and illicit drug use among a sample of Native American youth
Author: Aislinn R. HeavyRunnerRioux, Dusten R. Hollist

1) How has it been used?
2) What concepts are important?
3) What has been found?

A. This study has been used to investigate and measure the predictive factors of community, family, and peer influence in regards to drug use among Native American youth.

B. The levels of substance abuse are expected to be higher for those where levels of community social disorganization, association with delinquent peers, and pro-delinquent attitudes are high, and attachment to parents is low. (THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CONCEPT!!)

C. The findings found suggest that existing theories offer a promising framework for understanding the process of Native American drug abuse. The study found that American Indian youths that start drug use relatively early have a high prevalence of lifetime use, and use particular substances including marijuana more regularly.

Research Design

Method of survey: Use 50 teens that come from a high class suburban area like Andover and 50 teens that come from a lower class from a city like Lawrence. This is method will be an advantage to my study because it clarifies which teens can afford the drugs,which teens have easier access to drugs, which teens live in a community where they observe drug transaction and individuals taking drugs in public.

This will be a longitudinal research design, reason being is because I would like to find out if young adults who continue to use drugs through their life, would be as successful as young adults who do not continue with drug use. Also, I would like to compare the lifestyles of one group and another group on a long-term aspect.

Key concepts: Parenting. Peers and groups.

Most kids learn what is right from wrong from their parents. If a child is in a home where the parents are drug users, they are more likely to use drugs when they get older and develop a negative mind set towards life. But if a child is a healthy stable home where the parents both work and have a healthy relationship the child develops a positive mind. Good and bad parenting have positive and negative affects on the children in various ways. As the young adults grow older they are able to make their own decisions and are able to try new things that they are curious about. If parents teach their kids what they should and should not do, then the young adult will follow what their parents taught them.

Reference

1) Clifford L. Broman (2009), The Longitudinal Impact of Adolescent Drug Use on Socioeconomic Outcomes in Young Adulthood.

2) Laurie A. Drapela, Clayton Mosher (2007), The Conditional Effect of Parental Drug Use on Parental Attachmentand Adolescent Drug Use: Social Control and Social Development Model Perspectives.

3) Aislinn R. Heavyrunner-Rioux and Dusten R. Hollist (2010), Community, Family, and Peer Influences on Alcohol, Marijuana, and Illicit Drug Use Among a Sample of Native American Youth: An Analysis of Predictive Factors.