Once again this week, I figured why put my words down when I could just share with you some of what I've been reading? So here they are:
FYI (if you're a teenage girl) - an open letter from a mom who's taking proactive steps to shield her sons from provocative social media pics.
The six ways we talk about a teenage girl's age - the subtitle of this piece tells it all: "The idea that a teen can be 'older than her chronological age' puts young girls in danger."
It's been observed by a few of us on staff that every preteen/teenage issue these days is tied to sex, technology, or some combination of the two. In response, we are working on a calendar of public events for this school year that will talk about those issues, from various angles. I'd like to think if we do it once, and do it well, we won't have to do it again. Sadly, that's a fantasy. The tech is here to stay; the sex has been with us since the dawn of time, but we do seem to be living in an age that celebrates experimentation and indulgence, regardless of the long-term cost.
There are signs of hope: More and more articles (like the one above about language that justifies and condones teenage illicit sexual activity) are cropping up, and not necessarily on Christian websites. There seems to be a collective sense that some socially agreed-upon boundaries, elusive as they may be, are needed.
That unfortunately makes your kids the Guinea Pig Generation. Their kids will grow up with better social conventions regarding the use of technology, particularly in self-expression. For now, it's the Wild, Wild West.
[I hope to see you Wednesday night as Mark & Jan Foreman share on parenting. And look into The Harbor, our Wednesday night program that kicks off September 18, for more info on classes and groups that help families raise their 21st-century kid.]
Info, articles, and thoughts for parents of kids at North Coast Calvary Chapel.
