Framework for Growing Up as a Youth in the U.S.
Guns and Violence In order to purchase a shotgun, rifle, or ammunition for a gun, in the United States one must be eighteen years of age. For any other types of firearms and ammunition, one must be twenty-one years old. The U.S. is prone to violence and particularly gun violence. We see this ma - nifest itself in a variety of ways throughout U.S. socie - ty, and many of these outcomes directly impact youth. Some youth are affected by one of their parents being incarcerated (if not themselves) due to gun violence, which is often exacerbated by the easy access of fire - arms. There is often a high probability that youth will be directly impacted by this gun violence. As such, youth in the U.S. must confront and grapple with the impacts of the culture of guns in ways that other youth in develo - ped economies do not have to worry about. Due to the increased economic strain associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, urban centers have especially seen rates of criminality increase, with a significant portion of this sur - ge being tied back to youth.
go through metal detectors and other forms of security in order to enter their school before the school day be - gins. It is important to note that violence also occurs in schools as well. School shootings have become a regu - lar occurrence in the United States. While terrifying for both students, educators, parents, and communities, there are still polarizing debates about gun rights and school safety. Since 2018, there have been 119 school shootings in the United States. Student and parent ad - vocacy groups are working to push for legislation that would increase gun control in the hopes that it will lower the rate of school shootings. Alcohol, Tobacco and Drugs In the United States, the culture of alcohol is quite dif - ferent from the culture of alcohol in many European countries and it is forbidden for younger people to drink. While the age when young people are allowed to drink alcohol in many countries in Europe is typically between 16 and 18, in the United States, one must be 21 years old in order to legally consume and purchase alcohol. In order to purchase cigarettes or other forms of tobacco, one must be 18 years old. While some high school stu -
Additionally, urban schools are more likely to have po - lice officers in their schools, as well as have students to
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