A TALE OF TWO CITIES: HEALTH-COMPROMISING BEHAVIORS BETWEEN HUNGARIAN AND AMERICAN YOUTH

Abstract

Adolescents, because of the unique developmental stage they occupy, are particularly sensitive to their socio-cultural environment. Adolescents often define behaviors in light of prevailing attitudes, values, and norms (i.e. culture) established across primary social domains. Specifically, overarching social structures (e.g. economic, political, religious, etc.), working through the local landscape (e.g. neighborhood, school, peer networks, and family), play a vital role in shaping adolescent development and influencing psychological, behavioral, and social outcomes (Arnett & Arnett-Jensen, 1994; Greenberger et al., 2000; Grob et al., 1996; McArdle et al., 2000). For youth, definitions of normative behavior vary, yet socio-cultural context continues to be important in defining who they are and what they do. Culture defines accepted standards of behavior, lifestyles, and life chances. As such, socio-cultural influences have been particularly strong predictors of health-compromising behaviors for this population subgroup (Fitzpatrick, 1997; Fitzpatrick & LaGory, 2000; Gibbons et al., 1995; Graham et al., 1991).

Citation

Fitzpatrick, K.M., Piko, B.F. and Wright, D.R. (2005), "A TALE OF TWO CITIES: HEALTH-COMPROMISING BEHAVIORS BETWEEN HUNGARIAN AND AMERICAN YOUTH", Bass, L. (Ed.) Sociological Studies of Children and Youth (Sociological Studies of Children and Youth, Vol. 10), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 189-212. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1537-4661(04)10010-X