Hello! As another resource for families and teens, I’m creating a podcast series for teens. This summer I’ll be interviewing teens via zoom on what it’s like to be a teen in today’s world. Topics will include self-esteem, confidence, pressures, dating, friends, and more. Each podcast will be a different topic or theme, providing insights and tools for other teens who may be struggling.
Similar to the process I took for writing my book, Girl Talk, Boys, Bullies, and Body Image, and my play, Girl Talk: Teen Monologies we are going to have frank conversations on sometimes difficult topics. The process of telling one’s story can be extremely satisfying, cathartic, and empowering.
I’m looking for teens (ages 14-17) to share their stories that will air on my Podcast as early as this summer. With a lot of teens looking for summer activities amid COVID, this could be a great way to spend a few hours that can be helpful and inspiring for other teens.
If you’re interested, send me an email at carol@dr-carol.com. Don’t forget….. Mom and dad will need to give permission! Please share with other parents and teens that you feel may be interested in this unique opportunity.
Check out my youtube channel for more information.
Thank you,
Dr. Carol
Did you know that teenage girls (more so than teenage boys) are likely to engage in underage drinking? The most recent data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) found that 66 percent of female high school students had “ever drunk alcohol” compared to 62 percent of male high school students.
Researchers aren’t entirely sure why teenage girls tend to drink more than boys. Some hypothesize that since girls typically reach puberty sooner, they “might” engage in risky behavior (like drinking) earlier as well. There’s also evidence to suggest that teenage girls are more susceptible to alcohol-related messages. For example, advertisers target girls with bright colored magazine ads showing beautiful models in amazing clothing drinking and glamorizing the use of alcohol.
What can you do about it?
Remember, teenagers find it easy to access alcohol when it’s readily available in their homes. Research has shown that two out of three teenagers say it is easy to get alcohol from their homes without their parents knowing about it. As a precautionary step, I’d suggest keeping your liquor cabinet locked.
Also, brain science can be helpful here. At 17, your daughter’s frontal lobe — which is the region that handles restraint — hasn’t fully formed. We now know the human brain does not finish developing until sometime in our 20s. If your daughter can’t yet make the right choice about alcohol, then locking the cabinet helps her by ensuring the alcohol is out of her easy reach.
I’d also recommend an extended, calm conversation about the severity of her actions. What if she or another teenager ended up in the hospital? Or in a car accident? Help her see the potential consequences to her actions.
To read more from this article, click HERE.
Dr Carol 