Self-destructive And Risk Behaviour Related Deaths Amoungst South African Teenagers

downloadDownload
  • Words 618
  • Page 1
Download PDF

Dysregulated behaviour commonly known as self-destructive behaviour is any behaviour that is harmful or potentially harmful towards the person who engages in the behaviour. Self-destructive behaviour actions can be deliberate, born of impulse or developed as a habit. Examples of self-destructive behaviour can include avoiding friendship to prevent rejection, self-harm, unsafe high-risk exploits, excessive self-sacrificing and not using exceptional talents.

Risk-behaviour is the indulgence of any type of action or activity which can cause potential harm to an individual as a consequence of what he or she chooses to do. Although risk-behaviour can be seen in adults, they are commonly seen amongst teenagers. Risk-behaviours can include unprotected sexual activity, sexting, smoking and consuming alcohol and illegal activities such as dangerous driving, train surfing, trespassing, vandalising and fighting.

Click to get a unique essay

Our writers can write you a new plagiarism-free essay on any topic

Train surfing

Msizi Nzama was 16 years old when he was killed instantly when he made contact with the trains power cables while he was train surfing. He and a group of about twenty friends were riding on top of a passenger train in honour of a friend who had allegedly also died while train surfing. They were on their way to the funeral of the friend, who had died on Saturday at the Kwa-Mnyandu station in uMlazi. Witnesses said other friends, also on their way to his funeral, had performed a stunt known as staff riding (holding onto the rear bumper of a moving vehicle and running with it). On the train, the friends decided to see who was the best train surfer. They had to run along the top of the train to the front and tag the train number. As Msizi was heading to the front, the train driver allegedly abruptly applied the brakes, causing the boy to slip and get electrocuted by the overhead contact wire.

Suicide and self-harm

The prevalence of self-harm is increasingly common in teenage population. According to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) non-suicidal self-injury is more common than people realise. It is the only coping skill some people have when they feel emotionally overwhelmed. Frequently mistaken for a suicidal gesture or failed suicide attempt, it is not intended to kill. Although some teenagers cut themselves some teenagers take their own lives. Alison Narain was a 15-year-old who took her own life. Alison used her father’s revolver to shoot herself in the forehead. Alison’s death has left her family very sad as they feel like the joy which had been bought to them has been silenced.

Illegal street racing

Street racing might seem to be very fun to some teenagers but adults do not see it the same way. Illegal street racing puts the lives of the people within the car, other motorists and pedestrians in danger. Four teenagers died after the car they were travelling in veered off the road into a tree before it rolled for more than 90 metres. It was alleged that the teenagers were racing another car. The death of the teenagers has left people shocked.

Self-Destructive and risk-behaviour reducers

  • Understanding challenges = make good decisions and then act on them.
  • Discuss realities = know the reality of certain situations.
  • Expect and accept mistakes = accept mistakes and learn from them

It is completely normal for teenagers to feel the need to experience new things in life as it helps them explore their own abilities, limits their own boundaries and boundaries set by their parents. During the transition from childhood to adulthood, adolescents struggle to make lifestyle choices and establish patterns of behaviour that affect both their current and future health. Teenagers need to express themselves as it helps them become independent young adults with their own sense of identity. Teenagers can seek thrills but they can seek thrills safely without putting themselves and other in harm’s way.

image

We use cookies to give you the best experience possible. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy.