The concept of anthropology
The concept of anthropology is a broad social aspect that entails understanding society’s dynamics. As a social tool, it offers unique insights into the social settings of the community (Fallers 12). By facts therefore, anthropology is poised to provide solutions to social conflicts in the society. This paper will address how anthropology has solved the problem of youth alienation in relation to drugs.
The youth problem and substance abuse
The youth problem is a significant concern regarding the question of drinking and substance abuse. The persistence of this issue has led to fears as youths have been considered rootless and alienated from the fundamental values of the society. The drug abuse is always associated with multiplication of crimes and other social evils. Since anthropology studies the dynamics of the community, the culture and social settings, a solution can be arrived at very quickly.
Breakdown of the family institution
Most anthropology reports suggest that breakdown and the weak family institution is one of the major factors contributing to drug use. This provides an insight into the society to initiate strong family values and impart them to their kids. Additionally, anthropology delves into assessing the structural opportunities to the youths and studying the social control patterns in the society (Salman and Willem 67). Most interviews conducted by anthropologists results in positive answers such as lack of job opportunities which leads the youth to engage in drug use. This information is useful to the relevant institutions such as the local governments to create more job opportunities and alleviate this problem of youth alienation.
Cultural attitudes and perspectives on youth alienation
The cultural attitudes towards the issue of youth alienation and substance abuse are looked at into more in-depth details by the anthropologists through a social perspective. Anthropologists help in asking these questions, first, why is drug abuse a menace among the youths? Second, what are the expectations and aspirations of the society concerning the youth? Then lastly, what are the ritualized behaviors that are attached to this problem. By raising these concerns, anthropology serves to dig deep and get more elegant solutions to the problem.
Positive interventions through anthropology
On my part, anthropologically, I would help the youths to deal positively with their life pressures, visit mental hospitals, and team up with them to diagnosis the addicts, evaluate the risk factors of substance abuse and also effectively deal with peer pressure influence by structuring peer programs aimed at using peer groups for positive reasons.
Works Cited
Fallers, Lloyd. The social anthropology of the nation-state. Routledge, 2017.
Salman, Ton, and Willem Assies. "Anthropology and the study of social movements." Handbook of social movements across disciplines. Springer, Cham, 2017. 57-101.
