<p>In recent times statistical findings suggesting a deteriorating mental health among teenagers, have been published. Not only did I find the lack of an all-inclusive analysis problematic, but also the fact that the studies themselves where often insufficient. Thus my purpose has been to chart these statistical studies, and then scrutinize the results.My method has been inspired by critical theory, where an interpretive starting point, self-reflection, and the idea that man and society interacts as a whole, is of great importance. Aside from the above mentioned studies, I have also employed secondary empirical data from TV, newspapers and the Internet. My own experience as a social worker has also been an important resource for this paper. The results from the statistical studies are analysed through theories regarding cultural modernisation, in particular Thomas Ziehe's ideas about cultural release of constraints, and Aaron Antonovsky's ideas concerning the importance of SOC (sense of coherence). Rapports from the Welfare Commission pertaining to developments in the Swedish welfare during the 1990's are also central for this thesis. I have found that the results from the statistical studies could be the outcome of other factors than mental illness per se - such as the play down in society concerning some of the taboos associated with it. This means that today's youth have easier access to psychiatric care (in so far as they are more willing to talk about psychiatric problems) and therefore necessarily don't feel worse than preceding age groups. Having said that, my conclusion is that today's youth is more inclined to mental illness than teenagers 10-15 years ago. My belief is that this is due to cultural modernisation and growing shortcomings within the social welfare. Cultural modernisation can make for an arduous upbringing, and a society where traditional norms are being replaced by everlasting possibilities, do put a fair amount of strain on the young individual. In my final discussion I'll conclude that SOC, which was previously created collectively, is now an undertaking of the sole individual. Therefore, I mean, today's teenagers are in the need of sufficient tools in their identity work. Naturally these can be found within the perpetual bombardment of information and symbols that surrounds them, but this should not diminish the importance of an everyday contact with sensible grownups, who understands the need to counterbalance a manipulative market.</p>

In recent times statistical findings suggesting a deteriorating mental health among teenagers, have been published. Not only did I find the lack of an all-inclusive analysis problematic, but also the fact that the studies themselves where often insufficient. Thus my purpose has been to chart these statistical studies, and then scrutinize the results.My method has been inspired by critical theory, where an interpretive starting point, self-reflection, and the idea that man and society interacts as a whole, is of great importance. Aside from the above mentioned studies, I have also employed secondary empirical data from TV, newspapers and the Internet. My own experience as a social worker has also been an important resource for this paper. The results from the statistical studies are analysed through theories regarding cultural modernisation, in particular Thomas Ziehe's ideas about cultural release of constraints, and Aaron Antonovsky's ideas concerning the importance of SOC (sense of coherence). Rapports from the Welfare Commission pertaining to developments in the Swedish welfare during the 1990's are also central for this thesis. I have found that the results from the statistical studies could be the outcome of other factors than mental illness per se - such as the play down in society concerning some of the taboos associated with it. This means that today's youth have easier access to psychiatric care (in so far as they are more willing to talk about psychiatric problems) and therefore necessarily don't feel worse than preceding age groups. Having said that, my conclusion is that today's youth is more inclined to mental illness than teenagers 10-15 years ago. My belief is that this is due to cultural modernisation and growing shortcomings within the social welfare. Cultural modernisation can make for an arduous upbringing, and a society where traditional norms are being replaced by everlasting possibilities, do put a fair amount of strain on the young individual. In my final discussion I'll conclude that SOC, which was previously created collectively, is now an undertaking of the sole individual. Therefore, I mean, today's teenagers are in the need of sufficient tools in their identity work. Naturally these can be found within the perpetual bombardment of information and symbols that surrounds them, but this should not diminish the importance of an everyday contact with sensible grownups, who understands the need to counterbalance a manipulative market.