SOCIAL ISSUES IN MALAYSIA AND ITS EFFECT TO THE COUNTRY

                                  

   Social Issues In Malaysia and its effect to the country

A social issue or problem is an issue that has been recognized by society as a problem that is preventing society from functioning at an optimal level. It is important to understand that not all things that occur in society are raised to the level of social problems. Four factors have been outlined that seem to characterize a social issue or problem. These include:

1. The public must recognize the situation as a problem.
2. The situation is against the general values accepted by the society.
3. A large segment of the population recognizes the problem as a valid concern.
4. The problem can be rectified or alleviated through the joint action of citizens and/or community resources

Among lots of social issues in Malaysia, i choose 5 social issues that i felt is the worst in Malaysia.

(1) High Rate Of Unemployment Among Graduates 

The cause of unemployed graduates nowadays is the incompatibility in the focus of higher education institutions and the needs of labor market. The reason for that is lack in compatibility as compared to the situation twenty years ago. In addition, there is an increase of competitiveness and volatility in the labor market. The work environment nowadays require graduates to have some work experiences in order to the requirement of qualified employee. Besides that, incompatibility in the knowledge acquired in higher education institution is one of the factor. Besides that, university graduates are lack of experiences and skills. Most of organizations today prefer to have graduates with experience to ensure the employers sustain their economic competitiveness. The number of unemployed female graduates is much higher in comparison male graduates. Moreover, those graduates with essential skills are more preferable compared to them who does not have any skills. They also should have proficiency in English. Other than that, university graduates have to possess their interpersonal skills in order to decrease the number of unemployment among them.

(2) Alcohol Abuse among Teenagers

Teenagers who abuse alcohol increase their risk of negative health effects because their organs, brain and mental capabilities are still growing. There are few most notable negative effects of alcohol abuse on teens, such as:

(i) Addiction and dependence

 Studies prove that the younger a person is when they start drinking the more likely they are to develop a problem with alcohol. In fact, people who reported drinking before the age of 15 are four times more likely to become dependent on alcohol than those who started drinking later in life. 

(ii)Brain damage. 

Heavy drinking among teens over many years can result in serious mental disorders or permanent, irreversible damage to the brain or nervous system. According to the American Medical Association, scientific evidence suggests that even modest alcohol consumption in adolescence can result in permanent brain damage. 

(iii) Car accidents

When they consume too much alcohol, car accidents do happen. Alcohol-related traffic accidents are a major cause of death among teens. A recent study showed that 28 percent of 15- to 20-year-old drivers who were killed in car crashes had been drinking. Alcohol is often a gateway drug to other illicit substances. Teens that drink are more likely than non-drinking teens to use other drugs like marijuana, cocaine, Ecstasy or heroin.

(3) Drug Abuse among Teenagers

Young people engage in drug use for different reasons than do adults, and as such, they need different treatment methods to help them break the cycle of addiction. Some of the root causes and co-occurring issues that are addressed in teen-specific drug rehab include:

(i) Peer Pressure

A young person’s social group plays an incredibly important role in the choices they make. Being involved with a circle of friends that experiments with drugs makes the individual much more likely to take part in that behavior themselves. 

(ii) Self-image issues

 The cause of many problems among teenagers, including drug addiction, alcohol addiction and eating disorders, coping with a poor sense of self can lead to escapist behavior that includes substance abuse.

(iii) Problems at Home

Many teenagers turn to drugs as a means of escaping their problems at home. This is most common in families where there is physical abuse, sexual abuse or other forms of neglect and conflict.

(iv) Co-occurring disorders

Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression and eating disorders are among the most common mental health disorders among teens that co-occur with drug abuse and addiction. These problems will need to be addressed at the same time that drug abuse is treated in order to achieve optimum success.

(4) Baby Abortion among Teenagers

Abortion means termination of pregnancy, it can either be spontaneous or induced. Spontaneous is known as miscarriage, while induced simply means termination of a pregnancy which is planned. Recently, the statistics have shown an increase in abortion 

rate year after year. Abortion can cause by social, economic or pregnant women health condition as well.

There are several reasons as to why abortion among teenagers is reaching alarming proportions. Factors like peer pressure, inadequate sex education, casual attitude towards sex and some sexual materials available in the media today, are some of the factors that greatly contribute to early pregnancy among teenagers leading to unexpected pregnancies. For this, most teens opt for abortion because of concerns that having a baby would derail their important goals in life. They also worry about financial responsibilities involved in raising a child.

Most teenagers who engage in risky behaviors do so due to lack of knowledge about the consequences involved. According to research, teen abortion is the result of modern attitude to sexuality. Not only does parenthood bring devastating effects on most families, but children born to teenagers are prone to malnutrition, abuse and neglect. As the figure of early pregnancy keeps rising, most teens find themselves wondering which path to take. Sadly, they either choose to abort their pregnancies or become teenage parents.

Those teens who form romantic relationships have higher chance of engaging in sexual activities than those who don't. It is vital to understand that with proper and adequate sex education for our children, we can help prevent teen abortion. With today's fast paced society where most parents are busy with their careers, a lot of them only spend limited time with their kids. It is important to spend sometime with our children, listen to them and have a little talk. Relying on schools is not enough because most public schools are allowed to only speak about abstinence sex education and therefore its up to the parents to ensure their children are well educated about this subject to be able to make smart decisions.

The society as a whole has a role to play in preventing teen abortion before it totally gets out of control. We need to find a workable and lasting solution that will bring to an end the high rate of abortion. Statistics may have imperfect measurements, however, they help us understand and see the facts in most aspects of life and understand that something is not right. Both teenagers and parents have a role to play. If you are a teen, ensure you educate yourself against unexpected pregnancy and for parents, it is our responsibilities to regularly teach our teens about the dangers of unprotected sexual activities.

(5) Teen Suicide

Causes of teenage suicide can be difficult to pinpoint and may involve several factors. Teens go through a vulnerable period at this stage in their lives. No matter how small or big their problems, their troubles may feel unbearable or overwhelming. Noticeable changes in behavior, such as withdrawal from friends and family or violent and aggressive behavior, are among the many signs of potential teen suicide, but parents and mental health care providers also need to understand the causes of suicide in teens for effective prevention.

(i) Major Disappointment

Suffering through a major disappointment such as rejection, loss of a boyfriend or girlfriend and failure at school or in sports may trigger suicidal tendencies in teens, who have difficulty coping with these kinds of situations. These circumstances alone may not be responsible for suicide, but they are factors that contribute to a teen's taking extreme measures, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, points out.

(ii) Stress

Stress, confusion, pressure and worries about self-worth are common problems in many teens that can trigger suicide, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Teens may have to go through parental divorce, moving in with a new family, living in a new location or going to a different school. In some cases, teens may be victims of physical or sexual abuse. These are unsettling matters that intensify uncertain feelings such as distress, anxiety or agitation.

(iii) Depression

Depression is a major cause of suicide that can be present in the teenage years. This mental disorder can cause feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness, according to Kids Health. Depression can be particularly harmful for teens who experience violence at home or at school and feel isolated from their peers or lack a social network of friends. Approximately 75 percent of people who commit suicide suffer from depression, according to the Harris County Psychiatric Center at the University of Texas.

(iv) Substance Abuse

Drug or alcohol abuse can lead to impulsive behavior, especially if a teen is haunted by other problems such as a mental disorder or family difficulties. Like adults who turn to alcohol or drugs, teens may believe that substance abuse will bring them relief from surrounding difficulties, but it only worsens the problems. Substance abuse and mental disorders play prominent roles in a majority of suicides, Kids Health notes.

(v)Biology

Genetic components related to brain chemistry may be involved in teen suicides, NAMI notes. Teens with a family history of mental disorders or suicide are at increased risk of suicide or suicide attempts. Being in an environment in which a suicide has occurred with a relative could produce thoughts of suicide for vulnerable teens. Low levels of the brain chemical serotonin may be a cause of suicide, NAMI says. Serotonin controls impulsive actions. Low levels of the chemical may lead to impulsive behavior, including suicide.