There are SO many things that kids have to face these days. When the old people were young, you only had to worry about drugs if you hung out with 'that' crowd. Now, however, it doesnt matter who you hang out with. at least one person in whatever group you're in, will be involved in drugs and alchohol, and will pressure you to do those things. Sex is another big issue. There are SO many teen pregnancies now that it makes me sick. It is common to see 14 and 15 year old girls on birth control, and boys the same age buying condoms. It has almost become a law that you have to lose your virginity before you turn 18. There is not only pressures from peers, but also from society. Think about it. Adults want us to act more grown up...and in the mind of young adults, grown up means being able to handle issues like sex and drugs. So, we go out and experiance those things, to prove to adults that we can handle them. When it turns out we can't, then we are not only belittled, but we also have to deal with the concequences for the rest of our lives. Men, or more accuratly boys, are pressuring their girlfriends within a week or two dating to get into bed with them. I am fortunate to have a boyfriend who moves at whatever speed I deem fit, but the truth is, most boys wont. They pressure the girls, and the girls dont want to be the little girl who's afraid of sex, or afraid of drugs, so they do it. Or, even worse, they will sleep with a boy that they like just so that the boy will like them. Then later, when the boy breaks up with her, she is heartbroken and becomes overly depressed. Even the actions of teens now have become more sexual. It is common-place to see guys touching girls butts, and girls touching guys 'areas', as my grandmother would say. It seems like the teachers are afraid of the students, and thus let them get away with anything that they want. Gangs have been growing to a scary number. One of my best friends is in a gang, and he is their best shooter. Do you have any idea how scary that is as one of his closest friends? To know that every day you talk to him could be the last? It's even scarier to me to know that he is capable of harming people physically, emotionally, and even sexually. There is virtually no escape from the evils that plauge us daily. We, as teens, just need to attempt to overcome them without lasting psychological damage.