PRESCRIBING ANTI-DEPRESSANTS FUTILE
(February 26, 2008) The British Financial Times reported nearly 50 clinical trials reviewed by psychologists from the University of Hull found prescribing anti-depressants to the vast majority of patients is futile, as the drugs have little or no impact at all, according to researchers.
FIGHTING TEENS HAVE DIFFERENT BRAIN STRUCTURE
(February 26, 2008) Studies by Australian researchers found that teens that regularly get into fights with their parents have significantly different brain structures than their more laid-back peers. The parts of the brain, which are involved in emotional responses were much more developed in the teens that got into fights with their parents. More...
MATERIAL SOCIETY DAMAGES CHILDREN
(February 26, 2008) A survey by GfK NOP for the Children's Society in London showed people believed the "commercialization of childhood" is damaging young people's well-being and commercial pressures may have "worrying psychological effects" on children. More...
TEENS LOSE TOUCH W/ COMMON CULTURE?
(February 26, 2008) USA Today reported a new study found high school students still lack important "historical touchstones and cultural underpinnings of a complete education".
FATHER VITAL FOR WELL ADJUSTED CHILDREN
(February 27, 2008) Townhall.com reported that research by Uppsala University in Sweden showed "regular positive contact" with the father "reduces criminal behavior among children in low income families and enhances cognitive skills like intelligence, reasoning and language development. When a father is around, the kids learn to behave, obey laws and end up learning more".
CLEANER ENVIRONMENT LEADS TO IMMUNE DISEASES
(March 4, 2008) Washingtonpost.com reported experts estimate many allergies and immune-system diseases have increased in the last few decades and suspect growing up in increasingly sterile homes, especially early in life, has caused our immune systems to grow differently as a result.
COURT RULES HOME SCHOOL UNLAWFUL
(March 6, 2008) American Family Foundation online reported a three-judge panel of the California Court of Appeal determined parents in California have no legal right to home school, and parents who fail to comply with school enrollment laws may be subject to a "criminal complaint against them".
COURT ORDERS SCHOOL FUNDING
(March 10, 2008) Macon.com reported a federal appeals court upheld a ruling that Atlanta Public Schools must pay to send a student, misdiagnosed in 1998 as mentally disabled, to a private school that specializes in developmental disabilities, for up to four years. In 2003, an independent analysis showed the student actually has dyslexia, a learning disability.
PARENTS DESPERATE FOR CHOICES
(March 10, 2008) The Texas Public Policy Foundation, reported parents desperate to seek transfers from their children's assigned public school to others within the district, for reasons ranging from better academics to safer learning conditions, often line up 24 hours early to ensure these transfers.
ONE QUARTER OF GIRLS HAVE STD'S
(March 11, 2008) ONENEWSNOW.com reported a study released from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which showed one in four teen girls ages 14-19 years old nationwide have a sexually transmitted disease, with the Human Papilloma Virus being the most common.
TIE BETWEEN RITALIN AND SUICIDE
(March 13, 2008) The Daily Mail.co.uk, a British publication, reported a 15-year-old teen with ADHD had been prescribed Ritalin, and shortly after his dose was increased, committed suicide by hanging. Research claims that Ritalin has led to many developing "manic and psychotic" symptoms.
NAUGHTY CHILDREN ADDED TO DNA DDB
(March 17, 2008) Thisislondon.co.uk reported that a naughty child as young as five could be put into a DNA database as the government brings in "baby ASBOS" (Antisocial Behavior Orders), to target future offenders, who are considered likely to enter a life of crime.
GOVERNMENT PLANS EARLY INTERVENTION
(March 17, 2008) Telegraph.co.uk reported Ed Balls, The Children's Secretary, plans to target children as young as 10 years old with "baby ASBOS" (Anti-Social Behavior Orders). Police could issue an ASBOS following a complaint from a teacher that a child was skipping lessons or concerns from a neighbor about poor parental behavior.
![[E-mail story]](https://strugglingteens.com/images/page/storytools_mail.gif "E-mail this story to a friend"){kind=small}
![[Print story]](https://strugglingteens.com/images/page/storytools_print.gif "Version of this story optimized for printing"){kind=small}