teens, romance and contraception

from childtrends...

Teens, Romance, and Contraception? The Quality of Teen Relationships Influences Decisions About Contraception

New research from Child Trends indicates that teens in strong, positive romantic relationships are more likely to use contraception. The study finds:

• Teens who identify their relationships as "romantic" and who spend more time with their partners in dating activities are more likely to use contraceptives.
• Female teens who discuss contraception with their partners before sex are twice as likely to practice safe sex.
• Female teens whose partners are similar to themselves, particularly in age, are more likely to use contraception.
• Teens continue habits from previous relationships. Those who used contraception consistently in an earlier relationship (either on their own initiative or from a partner) are more likely to also do so in a current relationship, indicating that teens may learn from their experiences across relationships.

A new fact sheet summarizes the findings of the study, which was published in the journal Demography and analyzes survey data from high school students to identify contraceptive use patterns. PRESS RELEASE

immature brains -at risk behavior

My Brain Made Me Do It: Immature Brains Linked to Teen Risk-Taking Behavior
The teenage brain, Laurence Steinberg says, is like a car with a good accelerator but a weak brake. With powerful impulses under poor control, the likely result is a crash. And, perhaps, a crime. more

some christmas fun...

a local church offered to bless some of the kids that we serve just because they could. lots of fun. in between some great pizza, some cool presents our young friends mixed it up with some fun games...like decorate a christmas tree, saucer slide and and santa's beard. yep...worth the watch.

Divorce and children

Divorce doesn't have to destroy the kids Experts say high-profile messy divorces may actually be contributing something positive. By showing what not to do, they're raising awareness that more can be done to protect the kids.

Click here to read the article.

new contraceptive

go here to learn more...

Bratty or behavior disorder? Help for parents

Researchers offer clues on where ‘terrible twos’ end and real trouble begins...go here to learn more...

Birth Control in MIddle Schools

Here is an interesting article I found on birth control being offered in a middle school in Maine, possibly without a parent's consent. It is an interesting debate that will likely increase, but the issue of middle school children engaging in sexual activity is something we all should be talking about -- because it is happening more than anyone would like to know and more than the kids will admit. Not all risky sexual activity involves just intercourse, so this only deals with one aspect of the issue. I hope this will encourage parents to talk to their kids about sex so they learn to set and keep their own limits. To read the article, click here.