Archive for December 2017
A Case of Mistaken Identity
Escaping some stereotypes while embracing others presents a difficult task. Stereotypes have always followed me around. In elementary school, the “Asian” accent was a running joke. All my friends did it and I did it too, perhaps as a way of deflecting the joke, owning the joke, showing that it didn’t matter and that I…
Read MoreImproving our civic knowledge
Last week, while investigating a politician using public records from the Rhode Island Superior Court and State House for a course, I made a startling discovery: I quickly realized my basic high school education about American government had slipped away from me. As I spoke to administrators who asked me what type of court case…
Read MoreTeaching tolerance
When my sister told me she was trans, her eyes wide open for my response, I almost laughed. I told her that she should give it some time, that she was too young to make such a big decision. I didn’t understand why she took off in front of me when I suggested that maybe…
Read MoreVision Statement
TeensParentsTeachers is an online communication center that brings parents, guardians, students and teachers together to discuss topics relative to helping teenagers become adults. We offer articles, links to other useful sites and a forum for discussing and sharing ideas that cover a wide range of topics: educational issues, college admission, college life, health, nutrition, substance…
Read MoreLinks for Teens, Parents and Teachers
Resources for our readers Health and Social links Robbie’s Hope — “We are a movement. An uprising of teens to help other teens. We’ve made it our mission to stop the suicide epidemic that’s taking the lives of our friends.” Robbie’s Hope (robbies-hope.com) Imagine A Center for Coping with Loss — At Imagine, you will find…
Read MoreHow to resist the pressure to buy young children a smartphone
The holidays are upon us–the season of giving gifts, a time when it’s especially difficult for parents to resist the clamor of children begging for a smartphone. Research into cellphone use among young children suggests that this technology is doing real damage. Smartphone use by the young has been linked to increasing depression, sense of…
Read MoreMaking A Splash
(Note: This is a talk given at an academic awards ceremony to students, parents and teachers.) In the ‘60s during the flowering of the hippie generation, young people didn’t trust anyone over 30. We didn’t like adults, didn’t want to become one. I recall vividly vowing that I would be dead before I turned 30,…
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