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Why the Concern?
"My family has always been one to bet. We bet who will catch the fist fish, the biggest fish and the most fish. I was always pretty lucky so I won the bets and the praise. When the lottery started my parents would buy tickets and let me scratch them off. Just think, I’d win $5-$20 just by spending a dollar. Now, all my allowance goes for lottery tickets. My parents have noticed that I never have money, so they are trying to put me on a budget. I pretend to be interested, but all I can think about is gambling. I even took money out of my friend’s locker because I had run out of my own. I’ve been losing more often now but I am sure my luck will change. And besides, my 11 th birthday is next week and my grandparents will give ma a bunch of lottery tickets in my birthday card."
Gambling is becoming more and more prominent in our society. With the opening of more casinos, the expansion of state lotteries, the increased betting on sports, and wide variety of gambling opportunities available on the internet, it is not suprising to see an increase in the number of teenage gamblers. The earlier a person begins to gamble, the more likely they ware to become a pathological(uncontrolled) gambler according to the National Gambling Impact Study Commission. The study goes on to say that one attraction for youth is that gambling is being marketed as a form of entertainment, like video games or the movies. The favorite types of gambling among adolescents are wagering on cards, dice, dominoes, games of skill, sporting events and lottery. Teens who are vulnerable to peer pressure use gambling as a way to gain attention from their peers. Kids with low self-esteem see gambling as an opportunity to become popular among their classmates.
The rate of pathological gambling among high school and college-age youth is about twice that of adults. The outcomes of teenage gambling can vary from truancy, stealing, aggressive behaviors, substance abuse, poor academic achievement, and suicidal ideations. Teens with severe gambling problems are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system.
Instant Society
We live in an “instant society” where gratification without wait is a common objective for many life activities. So it is with the decision making process; gratification is achievable but sometimes, for some teens, testing out all of the alternatives to make the right choice is not worth the wait. At each juncture in our lives, we make decisions that affect our futures. Each decision we make, whether major or minor, depends on many influences: time, money, talents, values, attitudes, age, and cultural influences. Many adolescents see gambling as a social event, compared to what they could be doing, they see it as safe. Several research studies have shown that 4% to 7% of teens have a gambling problem. The numbers show that in recent years, more girls have taken up gambling.
A Harmless Activity?
Gambling is not a harmless activity. It is a pastime that can develop into a ruinous problem that can affect anybody. Being able to access prevention and education services where you live is vital to the recovery process. Educations must be able to identify signs of a gambling problem. Public awareness and education about he problem gambling is vital to sound decision-making for parents and teens.
What to look for
The Curriculum
In the six-lesson “Gambling: Choices & Challenges Curriculum,” youth are involved in examining shifting attitudes and values concerning gambling and ar challenged to consider how they will approach gambling activities in their lives. The lesions are appropriate for middle and high school students.
Cost
The cost of the six week program is $1,100.00. PICADA will assist in co-writing a grant or assist you in seeking other funding for this program.
Contact
Please contact Doug McLain at 608-246-7606, extension 1118 or email dougn@fsmad.org for more information.