Article: The option of saying "no"

The option to say “no”

 

The option of saying “no” is often frowned upon by the younger generation usually around the adolescent years. Why? To save hassle, fit in, or just not to cause any trouble. The younger generation today are often influenced by the people around them and usually do what their friends ask them to do just to fit in. They are often afraid of saying no to things like, drinking, doing drugs, or just even something they are not comfortable with.

 

They are afraid that there friends will think differently of them. This suddenly puts the person under a lot of pressure otherwise known as “peer pressure”. This just doesn’t only happen to the younger generation. This can happen around someone’s working space or even come from a family member. People should always have the option to say “no”, without thinking that their friends will think differently of them. Sadly this is not always the case as some people are more afraid to say no than others. This also effects their self-confidence. Someone who has a large self-esteem will be more likely to state their point and say “no” when needed. People often don’t say “no” because they want to show off to their friends or fit in with a crowd. This is often seen with the younger generation when they get in with a bad crowd and suddenly are being encouraged to drink or do drugs or play in some other parts of illegal activity. I think teenagers should be encouraged more even in school to speak up and build up their self-esteem. I think that if this problem does not get solved it will lead to future problems for the younger generation as it might get as bad as settling for anything just to save hassle.

 

I hope this article about self-esteem and the ability to say “no” helps people have the confidence to say “no” and realise that people will respect their decision. I think it is extremely important to encourage the younger generation to speak up, give their own opinion and have the confidence to say “no”

 

Sean Kirwan

3^rd year

Article: Faking Happiness

 

Faking Happiness

 

Sometimes we need to listen more than speak and be aware of the fake happiness that is happening around us. The topic of Depression is not often discussed as it is usually put to the side as people sometimes think it’s a phase that others are going through. This topic needs to be discussed as it is a big problem, not only in Ireland but everywhere across the globe. The fact that people physically hurting themselves to feel relief is wrong and very sad. This could result in worse things happening in the future.

Depression, Depression is a condition which affects more than 450,000 people alone in Ireland (one in ten) at any one time. Any of us, irrespective of age, gender and background can be affected at some point in their life. lt can affect up to 10% of teenagers at any time. Depression can cause us to lose interest in our hobbies, sports, and school. Sometimes all the person needs is someone to talk too. Most of the time you wouldn’t notice that your friend, family member, or a stranger is suffering from depression as they keep it bottled up inside. I think depression is caused by Debt, Bullying, or lack of attention. We can help stop depression by opening up opportunities to people to allow them talk about their feelings. Even a simple “how are you feeling” could be the difference from a smile to a frown. When someone’s states that they are in a critical condition like depression it shouldn’t be taken as a phase but only something that needs to be cured. If you are reading this and whatever age you are, please talk to someone and live your life.

Sometimes we just need someone to simply be there and listen. This topic needs to be discussed more and people need to talk to someone. It can happen at any age, or can come from any background. When you think someone’s depressed or feeling down talk to them, because “There is nothing more depressing then having it all and still feeling sad”.

Sean Kirwan
3rd year

Article "Technology is no longer a novelty; it will be the cause of the lack of social skills in our society".

Article:

Technology is no longer a novelty; it will be the cause of the lack of social skills in our society.

 

From books to phones, technology has changed so much over the years. In most households you see the 5 year old baby being able to work an IPad better than the older generation can. Technology has changed our way of thinking and how we react around other people, is this a bad thing for our future?

 

Our entertainment is no longer sitting beside the fire reading a book, or just simply chatting. It is now sitting down beside the fire with something electronic to keep us entertained. The lack of socials skills now in our society is ridiculous and will be a horrific thing in our future if it continues to get worse.

The young people today find it difficult to talk to a stranger because they are only use to talking behind the phone were no eye contact is needed. Studies have shown that the average persons spend 23 days a year looking at their phone screen. That’s 3.9 years of the average person’s lifetime. This figure will continue to rise and the amount of social skills for future adults will decline. There usual response to someone communicating with them is either ignoring it, or one or two word answers. This worries me for their future as they will find things more difficult like, going for an interview for a job, giving their own opinion, or even standing up for themselves. I myself know that technology is a problem for social skills as I am also a young person in today’s society and notice this is already a big problem.

 

This problem is definitely something we need to fix for the sake of the young people’s future in today’s society. If this continues to get worse the younger generation of today will find it very hard to cope with the big bad world when they leave home in the few years to come.

 

Sean Kirwan

3^rd year