Young people in society

Provided by the Professional Order of Social Workers of Québec (Ordre professionnel des travailleurs sociaux du Québec), these articles are intended to help you deal with everyday life. They could also give you resources to help a friend!

Becoming a parent
These days, more young people who want children are becoming parents. Still, no matter how old you are, carrying a child, giving birth and caring for the new baby requires much strength and flexibility.

Get ready to launch your life
As you begin your adult life, you stand at a crossroads. You will soon have to make many decisions—decisions that will probably affect the rest of your life. Want to be sure that you’re making the right decisions that will yield satisfying results? Learn to know yourself (your tastes, needs, interests, values, etc.). Once you know yourself well, you will be ready to launch your life.

Family conflicts
There are a thousand and more reasons why, between 18 and 25 years of age, we have conflicts with our parents: complex family dynamics, fear about the future, long-lasting conflicts, etc. How can you resolve tensions and hope for a bright future? By thinking things through and seeking external help if the situation is serious and trying.

Get involved and be happy
When you enter adulthood, it's important to take part in improving the quality of life around us. To do so, keep abreast of what's going on in the world and close to home, get involved in an action group and do something positive to help others.

Reorientation and self-improvement
Young people often choose the easiest course of study. A few years later, they have a better sense of themselves and realize that they are bored and their life isn't quite what they expected it to be. Once you are an adult, why not take steps to make sure you will be happy?

General culture
Learning to develop a general knowledge of culture, a curiosity about current events, and teaching yourself based on history and a useful methodology will improve your learning and development in your chosen field.

What is amotivational syndrome?
Amotivational syndrome is underestimated by drug users and their supporters who advocate legalizing these substances.

What lies ahead
Benjamin just received a letter saying he is no longer enrolled in his regional cegep because of poor grades. "What?" he exclaims, surprised. "I was one of the best students in high school without having to really work!"

What is the DPJ?
Find out more about the Department of Youth Protection, which comes to the aid of children age 0 to 18 and their families.

To find out more about homophobia
Even though the rights of gays, lesbians and transsexuals are increasingly recognized in Québec, the fight against homophobia is far from over.

Love, not violence
Young couples between the ages of 18 and 24 are not immune to violence in their relationships. What may seem at first like a match made in heaven may, unfortunately, turn into a nightmare in some cases.

Self-esteem in young adults
It's not always easy to maintain strong self-respect. Our dominant culture imposes numerous requirements upon us. Building self-esteem can be a major challenge.

Non-violent communication
Allow me to tell you about a very useful tool to create or maintain a space for dialogue between you and your friends or between you and your parents.

It's never too late to intervene
Did you know that every year nearly 1,400 people commit suicide in Québec? And that slightly over 20% of the people who commit suicide are less than 30 years old?

Note: These articles reflect the views of the author alone. Desjardins cannot be held responsible for the opinions expressed in them.