Its May and that time honoured tradition of Prom is back. Each year across North America, hundreds of teens are killed or injured in alcohol-related accidents connected with their prom night celebrations. Communities, school officials and parents have stepped up their efforts in recent years to prevent these tragedies from happening. Today New York Times columnist Tara Parker Pope takes a look at a new report from the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and why parents should use the power of science to explain why drinking isn’t the right choice.Link to read the article
Below is just one of the comments that this article elicited:
Tara, usually you’re right on the money, but this is sheer drivel.
If not prom night, when is the appropriate time to get ripping drunk and do drugs, away from parents and supervision ?
The only note of sober realism that needs to be injected forcefully is, that no one driving can have any alcohol or drugs.
Teenagers. Sex, drugs and rock and roll. Let’s be realistic.
Don’t forget the condoms.
The tux and dress will never be worn again, so it’s OK to throw up on them. Marcel Duchamp
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We’d love to hear some of your experiences and thoughts on this.
A study led by the University of Western Australia has found that teenage girls who lose their virginity when they are not ready; often at an earlier age, are more likely to feel disappointed and regret the experience.
The study, led by Dr Rachel Skinner, from UWA’s School of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, interviewed 68 teenage girls aged 14 to 19, with the aim of better understanding the factors that influence sexual behaviour, including the first sexual experience in teenage girls. [continue reading…]
How well I remember with my own children their reluctance to use school toilets! Now a new Swedish study(Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg) has found that disgusting toilets and feeling uncomfortable when using them make children hesitant to go during the school day, and teachers’ rules also matter. Almost 400 children at eight primary and lower secondary schools in Gothenburg, Sweden, responded to a survey on how they feel about their school toilets and on their toilet habits during school hours. Although this was a local study, the geographical spread of reports on the standards and cleanliness of school toilets hints that they may be a concern to children around the world. Many children reported that there may be urine and faeces splattered on the toilet ring and that the floor is often wet and soiled. As if that was not enough, toilet paper, soap and paper towels are often missing. [continue reading…]
Like most women I get  preoccupied with my weight. 🙁  Don’t get me wrong… although I obsess, it doesn’t consume me. One of the most popular searched posts (daily) on this blog is Media influence on women’s body image. Recently I have been struck by one young girl in her mid 20’s who uses the same gym as I do. Why? Clearly borderline anorexic she exercises with fanatical zeal, her body disguised in baggy sweats, her shoulders which are visible show bones and no muscle tone. I observe sadly as she weighs herself at least 3 times during the course of each workout! So maybe its not surprising that today in my daily newspaper trawl, both the following articles captured my attention.
In the New York TimesTara Parker Pope looks at how books on anorexia can inadvertently become how-to books for teens struggling with the disease Link to read this article and also the full review of Skin and Bone.
More discussion in The Guardian of how women’s weight issues impact their lives in Decca Aitenkhead’s interviewwith Susie Orbach author of Fat is a Feminist Issue
and new book Bodies: Big Ideas/Small Books Link to read this articleinterview
Can a novel convey, however inadvertently, an allure to anorexic behavior?Are you comfortable with your body? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
