Youth and gambling problem - Essay Example

?Youth and Problem Gambling Introduction to the problem The increasingly easier opportunities for gaming and wagering available to clubs, hotels, casinos, gaming zones and increased games of chance like X-Lotto, scratch-tickets, sports betting, internet gambling, Bingo etc. in such places exposes gambling to the younger generation more prominently than ever (Hales 2006, p. 305). Advancements in technology resulted in some easier modes of accessibility to gambling. Internet and mobiles are the best sources of easily available components to youth for card games gambling, betting and so on. The increasing use of electronic gaming machines (EGM) in such places help the owners to attract more youngsters and involve them in gambling easily. The impacts of gaming and wagering due to the high exposure of electronic gambling to the youth has been a point of debate among the researchers in legislative, social, economic and cultural fields. Sports bars and ‘events based wagering’ are two important areas of discussion for their impacts on the youth as these are specifically aimed to target younger population (The South Australian Centre for Economic Studies 2003). This paper aims to analyze the effects of problem gambling on youth and the recommendations to improve the prevalent conditions which are harming the youth psychologically, socially and economically. Causes of Problem Gambling Sharpe (2002, p.1) exposes that “biological, psychological, and social factors are all relevant to the development of problematic levels of gambling”. Hence problem gambling implies the gambling behaviors beyond the boundaries of simple addiction. Blaszczynski (2000) classifies problem gamblers into three main categories including, the “normal” problem gamblers, the psychologically vulnerable group of gamblers and Group with biologically based impulses: The impulsive gamblers. The members of the first group are those who do not have any pre-existing psychopathology and have lost their control over gambling rends. The second group, however, points towards those individuals who have alarming danger of immense losses due to their misconceptions about gambling as a treatment of their emotional distress and pressure of life. This group takes gambling as a resort to escape the problems of life and involve themselves in bigger troubles associated with problem gambling. The third group involves individuals with some kind of neurological or Neuro-chemical dysfunction. This group is highly vulnerable to problem gambling due to impulsivity and attention deficits (Blaszczynski 2000). Such importance and high emphasize on problem gambling lead to the discussion of impacts that these gambling patterns have on the youth which is the major part of our society and upcoming future. The gambling behaviors in youngsters are closely related to their exposure to gambling in their childhood. They start gambling as an adoption of behaviors they experienced in childhood and if they win in the start their greed to win more empowers them to continue gambling. In the losing phase, they are more likely to win back what they had lost earlier. This urge and empowerment leads to desperation and motivation to bring more money with legal or illegal activities and stay in the game. Such desperation mostly resulted in illegal activities like cheating, stealing, robbing, nonpayment of debts and so on (Hales 2006, pp. 305-307; National Research Council (US) 1999, pp. 169-171). Effects of Problem Gambling on Youth: Health effects: The younger generation is often exposed to other dangers when they involve in gambling within casinos, gaming zones and other areas covered by private owners. The addiction of gambling alone brings psychological disorders, attention deficits, depression, violent behaviors and aggression. In addition to these threats to psychological and physical well being of younger generation, alcohol, cocaine, heroin, tobacco and other addictives available in the play premises also affect their habits and behaviors towards the addictive things. Studies reveal that most of the younger population involved in problem gambling is vulnerable and more motivated to involve in other addictions like alcohol, cigarettes and so on. Indeed, such addictions bring health problems which are not limited to psychological or mental illness but involve other diseases like cardiovascular disease (Coombs 2004, pp. 131-136). Educational effects: Problem gambling not only leads to health disorders but also affect the performance of youth in other areas. These include but are not limited to their educational performance, sports involvement, social engagement, family interaction and personal development. Problem gamblers are more likely to bunk school and colleges, not being attentive in the classrooms, show lack of interest in educational activities, indicate unfriendly attitude with school mates, teachers and other staff and show poor performance in the educational field. Their interest from other activities than gambling and planning to stay in the gambling arena divert their attention from educational and social activities (General accounting, 2000). Financial effects: Gambling seems more of interest to younger generation as it motivates them to win. They feel more confident and pleased by winning and feel more enthusiastic to gamble again. This motivation and pleasure is, however, temporary. Their initial pleasure on winning and appreciation form other gamblers lasts as long as they are financially able to put in more money to cover what they lost in the game. Once they start losing more and more, they reach a situation of bankruptcy which further leads to depression, troublesome situations, negative attitudes, irritation, confidence deficits and anti-social and illegal behaviors (Fabiansson 2010, pp. 5-19). They tend to use all legal and illegal ways to win back what they lost or to double what they earn. These extreme behaviors of depression or greed lead to more severe losses both in financial and health terms. Social Effects: Children who are exposed to gambling in their childhood are more likely to adopt these behaviors of gambling when they grow up. The negative effects of gambling including health, educational and financial effects, as described above, lead to social isolation. A gambler alone may be responsible for the gambling behaviors of his children and other related people who observe them in this practice. Gambling is also associated with the social problems like robberies, frauds and other illegal ways to gain financial possessions. The vulnerability of young problem gamblers to excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco usage and drug addictions also pose a threat to the social order and peace (McMillen 1996, pp. 163-167). The society, hence, has a threat of increased crimes, antisocial behaviors, aggression, violence, illegal activities and addiction related issues as a secondary effect of gambling. Recommendations to improve the situation: Awareness programs, social campaigns and educational schemes may be helpful in curbing the issues related to problem gambling in younger population. The laws and regulations regarding gambling should be stricter and more specific in order to stop or restrict youngsters from involving into gambling until they reach the legal maturity age. The drugs, alcohol and tobacco laws should be reviewed and organizations offering such products within the premises where younger generation is more likely to be exposed of these harmful things should also be restricted. Educational curriculums should involve the awareness of drugs, alcohol, gambling and other harmful addictions. Students should be involved in programs which are aimed at reducing gambling and provide with the information about the negativity of such activities. Moreover, there is a need to involve parents, teachers and other elderly population in order to prevent the youth from the dangers of gambling and addictive behaviors. Conclusion: In conclusion, we can say that problem gambling cannot be described simply as a social behavior as generic, neurological, psychological and biological effects are also involved in describing the problem gambling behaviors. The negative impacts discussed are important to be addressed and restricted. Problem gambling may influence a child’s social, personal, economic, financial and educational life negatively. Hence, awareness and restrictions on gambling for children and younger population is necessary. The role of parents, elder siblings and teachers cannot be ignored in this regard as youngsters tend to adopt behaviors which they observe in their loved ones. Bibliography Blaszczynski, A. (2000, March). Pathways to pathological gambling: Identifying typologies. Electronic Journal of Gambling Issues, #1 [On-line serial]. Available: http://www.camh.net/egambling Coombs, R. H. (2004). Handbook of addictive disorders: A practical guide to diagnosis and treatment. Hoboken, N.J: Wiley. Fabiansson, C. (2010). Pathways to excessive gambling: A societal perspective on youth and adult gambling pursuits. Farnham, Surrey [England: Ashgate. Hales, D. R. (2006). An invitation to health. Australia: Wadsworth. Impact of gambling: Economic effects more measurable than social effects. (2000). S.l.: U S General Accounting. McMillen, J. (1996). Gambling cultures: Studies in history and interpretation. London: Routledge. National Research Council (U.S.)., & National Research Council (U.S.). (1999). Pathological gambling: A critical review. Washington, D.C: National Academy Press. Sharpe, L. (January 01, 2002). A reformulated cognitive-behavioral model of problem gambling - A biopsychosocial perspective. Clinical Psychology Review, 22, 1, 1. South Australian Centre for Economic Studies. (2003).Measurement of prevalence of youth problem gambling in Australia: Report on review of literature. Adelaide: The Centre. Read More