Anonymous wrote:Teens need a relationship with Jesus and get connected to a church.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The teens in the DMV were the most anxious/depressed, social maladjusted kids I've ever met, and I've lived around the country. My teen said they were the only one of their friends there not on some sort of anti-anxiety medication. It's the DMV culture -- home, parenting, schools. Something is rotten in the water there. It's bad juju.

Other areas have their own set of issues. Maybe not the academic pressure but other things-sports focused, less tolerance of other views. Pick your poison.

Anonymous wrote:The teens in the DMV were the most anxious/depressed, social maladjusted kids I've ever met, and I've lived around the country. My teen said they were the only one of their friends there not on some sort of anti-anxiety medication. It's the DMV culture -- home, parenting, schools. Something is rotten in the water there. It's bad juju.

Anonymous wrote:Teens need a relationship with Jesus and get connected to a church.

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Anonymous wrote:For us it's clear that there is much, much, much less face to face interaction with other kids. My son, in high school, goes out with friends every once in a while. Mostly, though, his friends are happy enough to stay home and play PS4 virtually with each other. When he does go out, it's usually disappointing because other people he wants to see have decided to stay home and play video games. My Middle School daughter - when she sees her friends, they are generally comparing Instagrams or chatting with other people online while hanging out. We used to wander the neighborhoods looking for other people to hang out with and then we would actually talk and play games and whatever.

Yes, I concur. My kids are spending much less time face-time with friends. My older kid does make weekend plans, but my other one does not (despite having friends!).

It is lonely!

Totally agree and this is hard to overcome. It's also "easier" in the short term as a parent to know your kid is home and physically safe chatting online with friends rather than out without your supervision. But to me, that's short sighted and will lead to other issues.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For us it's clear that there is much, much, much less face to face interaction with other kids. My son, in high school, goes out with friends every once in a while. Mostly, though, his friends are happy enough to stay home and play PS4 virtually with each other. When he does go out, it's usually disappointing because other people he wants to see have decided to stay home and play video games. My Middle School daughter - when she sees her friends, they are generally comparing Instagrams or chatting with other people online while hanging out. We used to wander the neighborhoods looking for other people to hang out with and then we would actually talk and play games and whatever.

Yes, I concur. My kids are spending much less time face-time with friends. My older kid does make weekend plans, but my other one does not (despite having friends!).

It is lonely!

Anonymous wrote:This article makes sense but ugggh - it is so complicated parenting teens now.

Why American Teens Are So Sad
Four forces are propelling the rising rates of depression among young people by Derek Thompson
https://apple.news/ALWQH2XNvRd6MtUUBGrZKVw
Article discusses various fallacies such as teens behaving badly. In fact, lots of self-reported teen behaviors are moving in a positive direction. Since the 1990s, drinking-and-driving is down almost 50 percent. School fights are down 50 percent. Sex before 13 is down more than 70 percent. School bullying is down. And LGBTQ acceptance is up.

>>> Here are four inter dynamic forces propelling the increase in teen/ youth sadness.

1. Social-media use is pervasive

2. Sociality is down since pandemic

3. The world is stressful—and there is more news about the world’s stressors

4. Modern parenting strategies

Eg High-income parents in particular are spending much more time preparing their kids for a competitive college admissions process.

Eg Over accommodating every discomfort.

Widespread Parental substance abuse - One study found that a sixth of the increase in teen suicides was associated with parental opioid addiction.

….. the author concludes

“The truth is I’m not satisfied by any of the above explanations, on their own. But I see no reason to keep them alone. They interact, amplify, and compound. And together they paint a powerful picture.”

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teens need a relationship with Jesus and get connected to a church.

Gay teens do?

Anonymous wrote:Teens need a relationship with Jesus and get connected to a church.

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Anonymous wrote:Also, the teen birth rate is at a record low, re: teens moving in a positive direction.

Hmm also likely means less sex and relationships which may be contributing to sadness

By relationships do you only mean dating? I personally prefer that my child not date or be sexually active as a teen. I can’t prevent it of course, but I would prefer that.

No dating at all?

I said “prefer.” Of course they will likely date and I won’t be a roadblock to that. But I’d still prefer if they didn’t in high school.

Don't do this. You want your child's first experiences dating to be in your home, under your watch. My parents didn't let me date and I got to college fairly clueless about relationships and dating and how to navigate them and all the freedom that comes with college. I think if I had been able to test the waters in a controlled and safe environment while at home with my parents who could also guide me, I would have been better prepared for or might even have avoided some of the emotional and other situations I encountered in college.

I didn’t date at all in high school or college.

Anonymous wrote:Of everything discussed and listed, imo as someone who works with high risk kids, it is this:

4. Modern parenting strategies

The #s 1, 2 and 3 of your list (the use of social media, the lack of socialization, and the inability of kids to flex) all comes down to poor parenting. Modern parents aren't modeling these behaviors the way they should.

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Anonymous wrote:Also, the teen birth rate is at a record low, re: teens moving in a positive direction.

Hmm also likely means less sex and relationships which may be contributing to sadness

By relationships do you only mean dating? I personally prefer that my child not date or be sexually active as a teen. I can’t prevent it of course, but I would prefer that.

No dating at all?

I said “prefer.” Of course they will likely date and I won’t be a roadblock to that. But I’d still prefer if they didn’t in high school.

Don't do this. You want your child's first experiences dating to be in your home, under your watch. My parents didn't let me date and I got to college fairly clueless about relationships and dating and how to navigate them and all the freedom that comes with college. I think if I had been able to test the waters in a controlled and safe environment while at home with my parents who could also guide me, I would have been better prepared for or might even have avoided some of the emotional and other situations I encountered in college.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lack of sunshine. Lack of physical labor/chores.

Yeah, my neighbor has 2 big boys at private who play football but they hire out company to mow their small yard.