When I first started this website, I knew there would come a time when I had to deal with some very heavy issues. Most of which tend to hit home with me. It is not easy to write about a topic, such as teen suicide or teen pregnancy, and have the faces of the children you care about float through your mind, especially when some have slipped through your fingers.
Being a 'professional parent' has given me a unique perspective on these issues. I have never listened to just one counselor, I have always pulled information from many sources when faced with a situation. It is my hope that my experiences will enable me to help someone else. As you read through my features in the next couple of weeks, note that I will present more then one side of an issue. I firmly believe that every child is as different as their fingerprints, and there is no set of rules that encompass all of them.
Here is why I am attempting to cover these topics:
Alarming Stats
In the next twenty four hours, 1,439 Teens will attempt suicide.
from Teen Help.
A 1995 study by Children Now and Kaiser Permanente found 40% of teen women know someone who was in an abusive relationship.
from Teen Dating Violence
In the next twenty four hours, 2,795 Teenage girls will become pregnant.
from Teen Help.
Comparing 1986 and 1992, murders by all age groups were up 2 percent overall nationwide, but murders by juveniles 16 and under during the same period were up 96 percent.
from Violent Crimes by Pre-Teens Increasing
Suicide is the third leading cause of death for 15 - to - 24 years old, and the sixth leading cause of death for 5 - to - 14 year old.
From Facts for Families.
In the next twenty four hours, 15,006 Teens will use drugs for the first time.
from Teen Help.
Every 4 minutes a youth is arrested for an alcohol related crime.
From Crime Time by Safe Place.
Sexual abuse was reported up to 80,000 times in 1995.
From Facts for Families.
In the next twenty four hours, 3,506 Teens will run away.
from Teen Help.
Every 2 hours a youth is murdered.
From Crime Time by Safe Place.
Comparing 1986 and 1992, rape by all age groups were up 7 percent overall nationwide, but rapes by juveniles 16 and under during the same period were up 14 percent.
from Violent Crimes by Pre-Teens Increasing
"While the crime rate for adults has decreased in recent years, the juvenile crime rate has grown alarmingly. The homicide rate among 18 to 24 years old increased 65% and the rate for 14 to 17 year-old increased 165%."
From BIDEN WARNS OF RISING TIDE OF YOUTH VIOLENCE
In a recent Australian study of 1,500 gay and lesbian adolescents, 80% had not told their parents of their same sex attraction. Studies over the past 7 years have indicated that 25% to 40% of young lesbians and gays have attempted suicide.
From "Here For Life" Youth Sexuality Project
Every 7 minutes a youth is arrested for a drug crime.
From Crime Time by Safe Place.
