Boarding Schools for Girls

The children who bully others online and their victims are both more likely to have physical and mental problems, according to a new study from Finland.

• Dr. Andre Sourander and his colleagues studied 2,215 teenagers ages 13 to 16 years old.
• About 5% were victims of online bullying, and 7.4% admitted to being cyberbullies.
• They tended to pick children their age to bully, and they tended to be boys.
• Sixteen percent of the girls had been bullied by boys, compared to 5% of boys bullied by girls. They also were more less likely than average to be living with both biological parents.

The bullies in the study had frequent headaches and felt unsafe at school. They had emotional difficulties, and problems getting along with other children and concentrating. They were more likely to have conduct problems, abuse alcohol and smoke, and to be hyperactive. What was interesting was that the victims had the same physical and mental health issues.

One problem with the rise of cyberbullying -- a prevalent form of harassment that is acute among girls as well as boys -- is that victims who used to feel safe at home now have a harder time escaping the reach of their tormentors.

The study appears in the Archives of General Psychiatry.
 

Labels: cyber-bullying, bullies, internet

Posted By: Jane St. Clair 1 Comment

Parents are increasingly worried about the phenomenon of cyberbullying, and according to a New York Times report, some are asking school officials to help curtail the problem.

Cyberbullying can begin as early as fourth grade, and becomes more sophisticated as children grow older.

Although 44 states have passed laws about cyberbullying, these statutes often do not spell out what schools' responsibilities are, and most schools do not have cyberbullying guidelines in their codes of conducts.

Some principals are willing to talk to the bullies; others are advising parents of victims to go to police.
 

Labels: cyber-bullying, bullying

Posted By: Aspen/CRC 1 Comment

Though films, television shows, online sources and other media may give the impression that teen sexual activity is commonplace, research paints a different picture.

• Most teenagers are already abstaining from sex, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control.
• Fifty-eight percent of never-married teenage girls and 57 percent of never-married teenage boys have never had sex, according to the latest CDC figures (from 2008).
• Seventy-six percent of the girls, and 80 percent of the boys, told surveyors that they had not had sex within the last 30 days.

In 1988, the percentage of teens with sexual experience peaked at 51percent, and has been declining ever since.
 

Labels: sex

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment

Summer jobs offer many benefits for teens -- but the workplace isn't without its risks. About one in four teens are sexually harassed at work, according to a study from the University of Southern Maine.

Professor Susan Fineran study of 515 people ages 13 to 18 years old who were working part-time during high school. None of them said they were sexually assaulted on the job. However, 25% have faced any of the 20 types of unwanted sexual behaviors, such as verbal harassment, sexist comments, and groping.

The Maine labor Commissioner plans to use the study to target the best training for employers, teenagers and their parents.
 

Labels: work, harassment

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 1 Comment

Young women who drink, smoke and use drugs may not only have a genetic tendency for substance abuse, but they also may have a genetic tendency to choose friends who also abuse substances. These friends in turn reinforce their habits, according to a new study from Washington University in St. Louis.

Professor Arpana Agrawal and her colleagues studied 2000 female twins. By comparing identical and fraternal twins, they found that selection of friends had a genetic basis, and that some young women also have a genetic predisposition toward drug abuse.

"Nature and nurture do not just combine to produce a woman who drinks, smokes or uses drugs -nurture can also increase the effect of nature," said Dr. Agrawal.

The study appeared in the journal Addiction.
 

Labels: friendships, alcohol

Posted By: Boarding Schools for Girls 0 Comments

Cyberbullying is becoming a serious issue among teenagers -- girls as well as boys. More than one case of cyberbullying has ended with the bullied teen taking his or her own life. The Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center wants to help kids get help when they are being bullied.

In the U.K., Facebook is launching easy access to a mini-application for teens who believe they are being subjected to cyber-bullying. The button connects the user to the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center (CEOP), a semi-governmental organization in the U.K. [Source: News Factor]

Once they’re on the CEOP web site, they can answer a few questions aimed at helping them determine if their situation is serious enough to require intervention. Industry analysts believe it’s just a matter of time before a similar feature is made available on the U.S. version of Facebook.

Labels: cyber-bullying, online, internet

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

School is still several weeks away in most parts of the country. But it’s never too early for parents to help their kids develop patterns that will translate into good study habits once class is in session.

“Ideally, you establish strong study habits from a young age. This requires that you ensure your child does their homework even if they don’t feel like it. You should work to set a good example, too. If you bring work home with you, complete it when you tell them it’s the ‘best time to do their homework.’” [Source: Helium]

During the summer months, parents should emphasize the importance of finishing what you start – even if the child doesn’t like the task. If fact, it’s best to do the tasks you don’t like first, and get them out of the way; something you can model for your teens during the summer and teach them to do once school starts.

Labels: school, studies

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

When an adolescent girl is recovering from an eating disorder, her relationship with her mother can be more of a deterrent than a motivator. Mother-daughter relationships are complicated, and unrealistic expectations – by both parties – can hinder a child’s recovery.

A clinical lecturer at Northwestern University, where she is affiliated with both the Family Institute and the Department of Psychology, Weigel Foy endorses an introspective look at this unique relationship and believes temporary distance from family members allows many adolescent and teenage girls to feel safe exploring the mother-daughter relationship in ways they haven’t been able to during prior treatment for anorexia or bulimia. [Source: Melodika]

A residential treatment center can give a teen that much-needed distance and time to take an honest look at her relationships, uncovering negative behaviors and patterns.

Labels: relationships, parenting, mothers, eating disorders

Posted By: Boarding Schools for Girls 1 Comment

By now, it should be clear to all parents that video games aren't only for boys. But when deciding what games your daughter (or son) is allowed to play, don't rely on the game's rating system alone to help you make your decision.

Video games, like movies, have their own rating system. The system is meant to help parents decide what games are appropriate for their kids. But, if you rely solely on the ratings, you may expose your child to things you don’t like. Take, for example, the following video game description:

“This video game is a first-person shooter in which players compete in a ‘kill-or-be-killed’-style TV program. The characters are rewarded with notoriety, fame and points for creative kills. Some female characters are depicted in bikinis, low-cut clothing and showgirl costumes that expose a lot of cleavage. A movie set displays a call sheet that details a bedroom scene. Since this scene involves nudity, only the involved actors and the director should be present. Items such as beer and wine bottles, kegs and tequila appear in the game. Players are also able to consume beer.” [Source: Mercury News (CA)]

On a related note, if your child appears to be obsessed with video games, professional intervention may be called for.

Labels: computers, video game

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment