Tag Archive for teenagers

Does the U.S. Support Forcing Kids into Marriage?

January 16, 2019 Comments Off on Does the U.S. Support Forcing Kids into Marriage?

A teenage girl in America forced to marry an older man in another country, then bring him in on a spousal visa.  A 49-year-old man applying for admission to the U.S. for his 15-year-old bride, likely married off by her family to the older man. These are NOT unusual examples.  Yet we let it happen.  Look at the facts:

  • The US approved thousands of requests by men to bring in child and adolescent brides to live in the United States over the past decade, data the Associated Press obtained show.
  • More than 8,600 minors came to the US as fiancees or spouses in the last 11 years following government approval.
  • The Immigration and Nationality Act does not set minimum age requirements.
  • Additionally, the US goes by whether the marriage is legal in the home country and then whether the marriage would be legal in the state where the petitioner lives, making the approvals legal.

Read the rest of the AP article The US government approved thousands of requests for men to bring child brides to the US and decide for yourself whether our country is condoning, if not encouraging, this practice which enslaves so many young girls. Then contact your Congress members and insist that they include corrective measures in the next immigration package.

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Cell Phone Addicts

December 26, 2017 Comments Off on Cell Phone Addicts

No kidding.  A recent study on teenagers and cell phones showed that when kids hear a ring tone or text alert their brains release dopamine.  Yes, that’s the same reaction they have to taking drugs.

50% of teens admit to being addicted to their cell phones.  And the addition is real, because when they can’t use them they experience actual physiological withdrawal symptoms, like nausea, sweating, and shaking.

Okay, parents. Here’s what to do.  Limit kids’ data.  Program the phone to cut off at certain times (like bedtime).  Model not being glued to your own phone.  Have family times (dinner?) when no phones are allowed.  Maybe even have a day or an evening each week when no one in the family uses a cell phone.

The idea is to have breaks in the cell-phone use so the habit can be broken and so kids can learn that it’s okay not to be tied to it 24/7.

Worth a try?  For our kids’ sake…and maybe our own?

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Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 3

September 13, 2016 Comments Off on Grandkids Then and Now, Pt. 3

When I saw this, written by Annie Korzen and published in the AARP Bulletin (May 2016), I alternated between chuckles and nodding in agreement.  Because I like to keep my posts short, I’m dividing this up into a few, spread-out posts.  If you’d lke to see Part 1, go to http://www.jackieodonnell.net/2016/05/11/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-1/ and Part 2 at http://www.jackieodonnell.net/2016/08/10/grandkids-then-and-now-pt-2/

 

I’m a new grandmother [says Annie Korzen], but am I cut out for it?  Look at how differently I raised my son from how he’s raising his.

Summer vacation  —  Then: One week at the country home of elderly relatives.    Now:  One week at the home of Pliny the Elder–in Pompeii.

Discipline  —  Then:  “I hope your brats are twice as bad!”    Now:  “Schuyler, I’m not disappointed in you personally; I’m disappointed in your action of setting the cat on fire.”

Clothing  —  Then:  Hand-me-downs, like that pink tutu my son still holds against me.  (Hey, the price was right!)    Now:  That Dolce & Gabbana  outfit was just $575?

Entertaining  —  Then:  Kids sat at the kids’ table, where the rule was “No comments from the peanut gallery!”    Now:   Kids join the guests at the dinner table.  The conversation is with and about them.

Teenagers  —  Then: You wisely minimized contact with these known sociopaths.    Now:  Weekly family visits with a therapist to prevent drug addiction, unsafe sex or eating disorders.

[And there you have it.  But who cares abnout the generation gap?  Grandkids are GREAT!]

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Coffee and Life Lessons

June 3, 2016 Comments Off on Coffee and Life Lessons

All too often we overhear someone laughing at or making fun of someone else’s misfortune or troubles.  It’s especially disturbing to hear it among teens, who are on the cusp of an adulthood that should be more understanding and compassionate.  Most of us do or say nothing, figuring that it won’t do any good and might cause trouble.

A North Carolina woman encountered this situation one day at Starbucks.  Her reactions–and, more importantly, her actions–are refreshing.  I wish I’d thought of that.

Read the USA Today story at “Woman gives mean girls an intervention at Starbucks.”

 

 

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