Adolescence has always been a period of exploration of limits, of experimentation, of confrontation with the rules, of questioning the established order. By risky behavior we mean alcohol, drugs, but also sports or sexuality and driving. An increase noted by several studies, which may reflect a certain malaise of these young generations.

According to a study conducted by INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), health is rarely at the heart of young people’s concerns. The majority of them consider themselves to be in good health and well informed.

Yet the study shows an increase in addictions (drugs, alcohol, screens), eating disorders and dangerous driving. These behaviors have repercussions on their health, but also on their school results and their social life. They lead to isolation, marginalization, psychological disorders in adulthood.

An observation which calls for vigilance and the maintenance of prevention in schools and places of leisure for young people.

Regarding tobacco, despite the images on cigarette packs, the high price, and the alternatives to vaping, daily consumption is on the rise. Almost a third of 17 year olds smoke every day.

The consumption of alcohol in large quantities is also one of the practices on the rise, especially among young girls. At 17, more than one in two reports having been drunk.

Mainly in boys, it is driving while intoxicated or too fast that encourages vigilance. According to INSEE “boys pay a heavy price with nearly 2 deaths among 300-15 year olds in 24, deaths associated with violent deaths, caused by road accidents and suicides. “

For adolescents and especially for young girls, weight is a worrying subject. Health is not the main reason, it is above all the dictate of appearance that prevails. You have to be thin, fit in 34, and wear skinny jeans. The Barbie brand and many others have created dolls with shapes closer to reality, clothing stores now offer sizes up to 46, even singers and actresses with Beyonce, Aya Nakamura, Camélia Jordana … present their feminine forms and are proud of it.

But at the end of college, 42% of girls are too fat. A dissatisfaction which slowly leads to diets and eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia). Behaviors related to a deep illness that can lead some young girls to have suicidal thoughts, or even to threaten their life. In 2010, they already represented 2% of 15-19 year olds.

Cécile Martha, Lecturer at STAPS University (Sports Studies) studied the meaning given to these current risk behaviors among STAPS students. She distinguishes two types of motives: personal and social.

The personal reasons would be of the order of the search for sensations or for fulfillment.

The social reasons would relate to:

• sharing of experience;
• social valuation of overtaking;
• the transgression of the forbidden.

The researcher also includes unprotected sexual practices and presents the testimony of a student who speaks of the phenomenon of “trivialization” of STD prevention campaigns (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). Rachel, a Deug STAPS student, talks about the risk of AIDS: “we (the media) keep telling us about it so much that we no longer even watch out”. A little later in the interview, she talks about people in general to say that “now there is so much prevention, compared to 15 years ago, that we say to ourselves” well the guy I have. in front of me logically it must be clean… ”.

The recommendations of sanitary distance, wearing of the curfew mask, etc., adolescents understand them but it is clear that they do not always follow them.

When hormones are boiling, the urge to see friends, to party, to laugh together is stronger than anything. Flavien, 18, in Terminale, like many of his friends, does not respect barrier gestures. “We are fed up with not being able to live, go out, play matches with friends. I take the risk because it is vital ”.

His parents are distraught. “We forbid him to go out after 19 pm to respect the curfew, but he is dragging on. They don’t do anything wrong, they play video games, they skate. We know it. Well aware of the € 135 fine, they understand however that their son needs to live through his adolescence and that they cannot punish him all the time. “He can’t sleep with his friends all the time. So often on weekends we close our eyes if he comes home a little later ”.