|
|
 |
Metholated or nonmetholated? Full-flavor, light, or ultralight? No matter what they're called, cigarettes are harmful and addictive. Nicotine levels have been rising in all kinds of cigarettes—from full-flavor to light—increasing the risk of addiction.
|
|
|
|
Summer Friendships and Increased Risk of Drug Use
You may be doing a great job teaching your kids not to use alcohol or drugs, but what about the messages they’re getting from some of their friends? Kids seem to get caught in a tug of war between what they hear from their parents and what they hear from their peers. In reality, study after study has found that parents can make a big difference in the choices their children make.
Teen Popularity Tied to Alcohol, Tobacco, and Illegal Drug Use
From cigarette-smoking James Dean in the 1950s to the current generation of rave goers, images of popularity among teenagers often have included alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use. According to a study from the Annenberg Public Policy Center, young people between the ages of 14 and 22 are more likely to connect drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes or pot, or gambling with their “popular” peers than their “unpopular” ones.
Preparing Youth for Peer Pressure
Peer pressure—it’s more than just a phase that young people go through. Whether it leads to pink hair or body piercing, peer pressure is a powerful reality and many adults do not realize its effects. It can be a negative force in the lives of children and adolescents, often resulting in their experimentation with tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
Making Friends in Middle School
Making good grades probably tops your list of goals for your middle school student, but making friends is also important. Middle school marks a new chapter in your child’s life. She’s moving away from childhood and into the beginning of adolescence. Your middle schooler’s friends will help shape many of her values and actions—including what she thinks about alcohol and whether she drinks before her 21st birthday.
Dating Violence Common Among Teens
Teen life, with its fads, crushes, clashes, and breakups, seems to be a world away from abusive relationships. Yet, there’s a dark side to all of the social drama. Many teens go through the same types of abuse—sexual, physical, and emotional—that we know some adults go through.
What Is Your Child’s School Doing About Bullying?
Bullying affects more students than many parents realize. Even if your child isn’t a bully and isn’t a victim of bullying, she may still be affected by bully/victim problems in her school. A classroom with a lot of bullying problems may also have other harmful effects on students. Children and teens who regularly see bullying at school have a less secure learning environment, fear that the bully may target them next, and know that teachers and other adults either can’t or won’t control bullies’ behavior.
Sibling Squabbles: Helping Your Kids Get Along With Each Other
“Mom, Jenny took my toy!” “Sam is looking at me again!” “Why does Angela get to stay up an hour later?” Does this sound like your household? Sibling rivalry is a fact of life in many households where more than one child lives. Siblings may fight with each other for the attention of their parents, for possessions, or for privileges. At times, parents may feel that there is nothing they can do to stop their children from fighting, but if conflicts between your children are handled well, sibling rivalry can be reduced.
Helping Kids Keep Themselves Out of Hot Water
Many times during the year, children may have more free time. After school, vacations, summer break, and weekends are all examples of times when there may be less structured activities and when, often, there is relaxed adult supervision. Does your child know when, and how, to get out of a potentially dangerous situation? Parents often don’t realize how early they need to talk to older children and adolescents about dangers, such as alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs.
Help Your Child Feel Comfortable in Social Situations
Some of our fondest adult memories are about childhood friendships and good times we shared with special friends. No matter who we become later in life, having special memories makes our lives richer. To be liked and accepted as part of a group makes us feel good about ourselves and is good for our mental. health. Peer acceptance is especially important to a young person’s healthy growth and mental development.
Preparing Youth for Peer Pressure
Peer pressure—it's more than just a phase that young people go through. Whether it leads to pink hair or body piercing, peer pressure is a powerful reality and many adults do not realize its effects.
The School Bully Can Take a Toll on Your Child's Mental Health
When children are picked on by bullies, whether physically or mentally, many feel the need to suffer in silence for fear that speaking up will provoke further torture. But bullying is not a problem that usually just takes care of itself. Action needs to be taken.
Help Your Child Build Healthy Relationships
"Play nicely." "Please share with Johnny/Suzie." These phrases or similar versions of them are familiar to many of us. We heard them as children and probably repeat them to our own children. It's in the early years when we begin to help our children make friends and build relationships.
Know Your Child's Friends and Their Parents
As children move into middle school and on to high school, they meet new people and experience changes in style, outlook, and social life. Don't be surprised to see major shifts in your child.
* We refer to a child as "him" in some places and "her" in others. We do this for easier reading. All information applies to both boys and girls unless otherwise specified.
|
|
|
 |
| | | | |  |
Last updated on 1/24/07
Home | Site Map | SAMHSA | Frequently Asked Questions | About Us | Contact Us | Join Our E-mail Update
Talk With Your Child 
