The incidence of teenage depression has increased all over the world. In some populations it is has been accompanied by suicide, but suicide remains rare. Clinical depression, which entails many debilitating physical and psychological symptoms, is a serious disease that can do terrible and even permanent damage to a teenager's developmental…

This theme issue of the newsletter SEDLetter contains articles about the challenges facing rural youth, communities, and schools, and the ways that rural schools are meeting those challenges. "When Rural Traditions Really Count" (Ullik Rouk) outlines the rural situation with regard to adolescent substance abuse, youth gangs, teen pregnancy,…

This Kids Count report of the Action Alliance for Virginia's Children and Youth reviews the role of schools, bullying, media, family violence, gangs, and substance use in the violence experienced by children and young people in Virginia and the United States. The report finds that increasing numbers of young people experience violent images and…

This study examined characteristics of youth emancipated from child welfare (ECW) and probation (EPR) supervised foster care; receipt of mental health services for emancipating youth; births to emancipating females; deaths of youth who emancipated from foster care; receipt of Medi-Cal due to AFDC/TANF, SSI/disability, or medical indigence after…

This KIDS COUNT report examines trends in the well-being of Vermont's youth. The report balances at-risk youth data with survey results related to "positive youth development," an approach that promotes beneficial attributes of youth and their communities. Following an introduction and discussion of positive youth development and youth…

This paper outlines educators' responsibilities when a student speaks of suicide. It focuses on suicide in Illinois and reports on a survey that asked principals about suicide behavior in their schools. The results were divided into three categories: districts with fewer than 1,000 students, districts with 1,000 to 2,500 students, and districts…

This document consists of the 11 issues of the Children's Defense Fund (CDP) Report published during 1996. Issues discuss concerns related to child advocacy and provide information on problems in children's lives in the United States. Regular sections in each issue are the editorial column "A Voice for Children," a status report on…

Pressures that may cause stress in children and adolescents are discussed. Shifting family paterns due to divorce or working parents, stressful situations at day care centers, busy schedules during adolescence, test anxiety at school, and watching violence on television all can increase stress for today's children. (PP)

Discusses the personal, familial, and educational causes of the emergence of student violence since the 1950s. Suggests how counselors can better relate to each individual student and how teachers, parents, and counselors can work together to help reduce school violence. (SB)

Examines two seminal films of adolescent rebellion, "The Wild One" and "Rebel Without a Cause." Argues that both films expressed a discontent with, and acted as a critique of, the complacency and conformity of the postwar United States. Discusses the films' own ambivalent attitudes to issues of conformity and alienation. (MJP)

Provides background information and related learning activities for three areas of inquiry involving youth and violence: (1) "Evolution of the Juvenile Justice System"; (2) "The Literature of Crime and Poverty"; (3) "Youth Crime and Public Policy." Includes a list of six recommended Web sites. (MJP)

In Botswana, precolonial Tswana spirituality gave way to European secularization. This, plus related changes in labor patterns, government, and educational practices, led to the transformative educational philosophy that now separates the Tswana from the environment and traditional religious beliefs. This cultural fragmentation underlies the…

Compared the social support of 92 homeless and 115 permanently housed low-income mothers. Results reveal that homeless mothers had less contact with their friends/relatives, could count on fewer people for help and child care in times of need, and felt their social networks were less helpful than housed mothers. (RJM)

Suggests explanations for derailment of the self-continuity warranting process. Maintains that although Chandler's studies used important concepts without sufficient evidence for construct validity, such use may be justified by the need to address the high Native youth suicide rate. Concludes that Chandler et al. have begun to validate a measure…

Stratification and control by a dominant group leave many African American youth feeling powerless, alienated, and angry. A justice-based model of therapy focuses on self-efficacy, personal mastery, competent adaptive behavior, and community-building. The model supports resilience and the group process, and encourages advocating for justice-based…