Decisions Teens Make

The modern adolescent experience

Stephen Gray Wallace

Good News, Bad News

When it comes to the topic of risky youth behavior, recent data (and events) present both good news and bad news.

Warm Fuzzies

Camp Kindness Day highlights fundamental elements of experiential learning at camp: kindness, gratitude, empathy and emotional support.

Unplugged

Today almost half of 13- to 17-year-olds say they are online on a “near-constant basis." And a lot of that time is on social media.

Love Is Louder

A mere recitation of scary statistics related to mood disorders, substance use disorders and suicides may divert much needed attention from remedies rather than reactions.

Pay the Price

A haunting new short film describes in detail – and with no shortage of graphic footage – the real-life implications of the misuse of prescription drugs by young people.

Hop, Skip and Jump

Stress is real and its origins and consequences not insignificant. April is Stress Awareness Month, which is designed to promote healthy strategies for coping.

The Content of Their Character

Idleness and passive drift is different from what we saw on display in the streets and parks just days ago in Washington and around the world.

A User’s Guide to the First Year of College

Much attention has been paid of late to the trials and tribulations faced by many young people managing the transition from high school to college. And with good reason.

No Doubt

How big of a problem are we facing? SAMHSA points to the pitfalls of underage alcohol use: "Alcohol is the most widely misused substance among America’s youth ..."

Failing Forward

One of the great things about sports is the imparting of important life lessons. And many of those lessons relate directly to one’s character.

Big Little Lies

Despite uniformity among children, teens, and adults about the importance of honesty, it often seems in short supply.

Misdirection

Many young people thrive in college environments: new relationships, challenges and independence. Others find the shift to college a mixed blessing or even a downright disaster.

Waitin’ on a Sunny Day

For many, sunny days may seem a distant memory regardless of season … or sun.

Inflection Points

“Growing up doesn’t have to be so much a straight line as a series of advances and retreats.” That sentiment mirrors the unsteady footing of personal development.

Camp, Interrupted

Indeed, my season at camp had been interrupted halfway to the finish line. I was aggrieved.

Thick and Thin

It seems, in the end, the character trait most in question is, well, character.

Hidden Faces

It seems counterintuitive: sadness in the spring as flowers bloom and temperatures rise.

It’s Time to Talk

If we don’t take the time to talk with—and really understand—our teens, how can we expect to know much about the choices they face and the decisions they make?

Let the Kids Sleep, Part II

Why is sleep so important?

Stretching Toward Manhood

What do these boys have in common? Each perfectly portrays the vagaries of growing up boy.

Brain on Fire

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) has been called one of the “best known but least understood” mental health conditions. Why is it so well known?

Falling to Pieces

How to process the permanence of loss? Of course, there are the well-known stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression (or despair) and, ultimately, perhaps, acceptance.

A Moment in Time

Some might suggest that, today, we stand at a moment of decision – at least with regard to the futures of our children.

Language of Love

For many people, young and old, the holiday season may ring in—or at least exacerbate—a sense of loneliness.

New Kid in Town

Changing schools can raise a lot of questions for young people, both social-emotional and logistical. But there are ways to make the transition less stressful.

Born to Run

Both unstructured play and highly structured sports offer real opportunities for personal growth.

I Know I Said I'm Sorry ...

What responsibility do people in positions of power, honor or prestige have to those who follow, particularly youth?

Serious Learning Happens at Summer Camp - Without Technology

For those ending a summer at camp, the transition back to home, school and screen time can be infused with lessons from June, July and August.

Imagine Me Gone

Despite popular myths about seasonality of suicides, rates actually spike in late spring and early summer rather than during the holidays or in the depths of winter.

Love Actually

It is incumbent upon us–particularly with regard to youth–to recognize effort over achievement, resiliency over success and individuality over conformity.

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