While the newsletters are usually designed for the youth, there are times like this month where I feel led to talk to the parents. I would encourage everyone to read this, it is that important. Over the past month I have come to realize that being a teenager today is very different than when I was one. I think that I already knew this, but it has finally sunk in. If you asked most adults they would say that teens have the same troubles today as they always have. That is a very broad statement. It implies that teenagers 100, 200, or more years ago went through the same things.
Puberty Adulthood (as defined by culture) Duration
Pre-1900 14.5 16 1.5
1900-1970 13 18 5
Today 11.7 Mid-20’s 15+
Resource: Youth Specialties the Core 2005
In just over 100 years time the age at which kids reach puberty has gone down from 14.5 to 11.7 years of age, nearly a 3 year change. In that same time the age at which our culture defines someone as having reached adulthood has gone from 16 to mid-20’s, a change of nearly 10 years. Because of this our culture has created a whole new period in our lives typically called adolescence. What happened? We quit teaching our kids what they needed to learn. I do realize that I just painted with a really broad stroke and that not all parents do this to their kids.
I have to admit, I am learning a lot about this, especially from the Thursday afternoon high school Bible study. For example, did you know that teachers are grading papers in purple so they do not hurt anyone’s self-esteem? How about the fact that in sports for younger kids, scores are no longer being kept that way there are no winners or losers and everyone’s self-esteem is maintained. At what point are these kids going to learn how to deal with rejection? If a child never learns to deal with rejection it most likely will not take much for them to get depressed. Once depressed what is to stop them from trying to relieve that pain? Nothing, in fact many kids are now “cutting.” What is that? It is a form of self-injury that kids are using in an effort to escape the pain they are in. There is a wonderful 3-part article on Battle Cry.com. The following is just an excerpt from this article:
Methods of Cutting
There are different ways the individual will satisfy the need to self-injure. The most common practice is “cutting” with the use of razor blades, broken glass, or even writing utensils. Anything that is sharp in nature could end up in the hands of a “cutter” to serve this purpose. Although cutting has been found to be the most common type of self-injury, other actions such as burning and head banging can follow suit. Other methods include self-punching, biting, skin picking or carving, interference with wound healing (re-opening wounds), hair pulling, or needle sticking, but not only limited to these.
This behavior often occurs sporadically and repetitively. Oftentimes, it develops an “addictive” cycle and becomes an overwhelming preoccupation for some people. Both in clinical studies and informal surveys, it was found that the most popular areas of the body to inflict the injuries were wrists, arms, and inner thighs.
Read youth culture news, youth ministry articles, and join the fight for America’s young people at http://www.battlecry.com
To understand it more fully please go to the Battle Cry.com website and read the entire article. If you do not have access to the Internet or if you would like a printed copy, let me know and I will get it to you.
Does that sound like anyone you know? Maybe, maybe not. After you read the article you may think of one or more kids that could be having this trouble. This is a critical time in the lives of the youth everywhere and we, as adults need to recognize what is going on and do something about it.
Because of Him,
Terry and Diane
A conversation with God
Hi. As I was about to begin I realized that someone who is reading this may be ready to give their life to you, so my conversation with you is for them. God, I want so much to be free of my sin, to no longer feel the pain that I feel. I know that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins and that even if I were to be the only person to every know and understand, You would have still sent Him. I know that I may stumble and fall, but I know You will pick me up and that by Your grace I am forgiven. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
If you just had this conversation with God, please share this with a Christian friend or pastor. If are not already attending a church it is our desire for you to find a local church where you can worship and grow in your faith.
We would love to hear about your decision to accept and follow Jesus. Please contact us at one of the following:
Hus Church, 2808 Schaeffer Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-363-0067
huschurch@huschurch.org
“9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13 NIV
I have to admit, I am learning a lot about this, especially from the Thursday afternoon high school Bible study. For example, did you know that teachers are grading papers in purple so they do not hurt anyone’s self-esteem? How about the fact that in sports for younger kids, scores are no longer being kept that way there are no winners or losers and everyone’s self-esteem is maintained. At what point are these kids going to learn how to deal with rejection? If a child never learns to deal with rejection it most likely will not take much for them to get depressed. Once depressed what is to stop them from trying to relieve that pain? Nothing, in fact many kids are now “cutting.” What is that? It is a form of self-injury that kids are using in an effort to escape the pain they are in. There is a wonderful 3-part article on Battle Cry.com. The following is just an excerpt from this article:
Methods of Cutting
There are different ways the individual will satisfy the need to self-injure. The most common practice is “cutting” with the use of razor blades, broken glass, or even writing utensils. Anything that is sharp in nature could end up in the hands of a “cutter” to serve this purpose. Although cutting has been found to be the most common type of self-injury, other actions such as burning and head banging can follow suit. Other methods include self-punching, biting, skin picking or carving, interference with wound healing (re-opening wounds), hair pulling, or needle sticking, but not only limited to these.
This behavior often occurs sporadically and repetitively. Oftentimes, it develops an “addictive” cycle and becomes an overwhelming preoccupation for some people. Both in clinical studies and informal surveys, it was found that the most popular areas of the body to inflict the injuries were wrists, arms, and inner thighs.
Read youth culture news, youth ministry articles, and join the fight for America’s young people at http://www.battlecry.com
To understand it more fully please go to the Battle Cry.com website and read the entire article. If you do not have access to the Internet or if you would like a printed copy, let me know and I will get it to you.
Does that sound like anyone you know? Maybe, maybe not. After you read the article you may think of one or more kids that could be having this trouble. This is a critical time in the lives of the youth everywhere and we, as adults need to recognize what is going on and do something about it.
Because of Him,
Terry and Diane
A conversation with God
Hi. As I was about to begin I realized that someone who is reading this may be ready to give their life to you, so my conversation with you is for them. God, I want so much to be free of my sin, to no longer feel the pain that I feel. I know that you sent Jesus to die on the cross for my sins and that even if I were to be the only person to every know and understand, You would have still sent Him. I know that I may stumble and fall, but I know You will pick me up and that by Your grace I am forgiven. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.
If you just had this conversation with God, please share this with a Christian friend or pastor. If are not already attending a church it is our desire for you to find a local church where you can worship and grow in your faith.
We would love to hear about your decision to accept and follow Jesus. Please contact us at one of the following:
Hus Church, 2808 Schaeffer Dr. SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
319-363-0067
huschurch@huschurch.org
“9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
Romans 12:9-13 NIV
No comments:
Post a Comment