
Help Wanted Signs to Be Sparse This Summer for Teens Teens looking for work this summer may have a tougher time than in previous years. As a consequence of an uncertain economy, almost half (49%) of managers who hire hourly workers do not intend to taken on any new seasonal workers this summer. Teens who do want to work should start seeking employment now – employers who intend to hire seasonal labor plan to fill those positions by May. Only 36% of available positions will go to new employees, while the rest will be staffed by those who have previously held a summer job for that company or location. On the bright side, teens who are persistent and demonstrate the right attitude will increaser their chances of landing a job, according to a recent survey of hiring managers. Four in 10 (39%) say the most important quality in these applicants is a positive, eager attitude. Screen-Time Shock For some teens, screen time rivals time spent at school, according to new research. The recent study looked at computer and TV time to determine how many hours teenagers spend in front of a monitor. The results are shocking: 60% of teens spend 20 hours a week in front of a monitor, 33% spend 40 hours per week and 7% spend 50 hours per week. Interestingly enough, kids whose parents had lower education levels spent more time in front of monitors. And, not surprisingly, the more time spent in front of monitors, the higher the risk of obesity and heart disease. Additionally, teens who come from a more socially-economic disadvantaged area were more likely to spend a greater number of hours watching TV or using a computer due to lack of access to other activities in their neighborhood. Lighting Up Can Make You Short A new study suggests that smoking doesn’t help teenage girls lose weight – and it can stunt the growth of their male counterparts. The study found that teen boys who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day from ages 12 to 17 are about one inch shorter on average and have a lower body mass index than those who don’t. The growth of boys may be stunted because boys reach puberty later than girls and are more likely to still be growing when they start smoking. The study also found that teen girls who smoke cigarettes are not any likelier to lose weight compared to girls who don’t light up. The implications of the study are important because many teen girls start smoking thinking they will lose weight. Diagnosing Teen Depression Is Tricky Higher numbers of youths aged 12 to 17 are reporting symptoms of major depression than ever before and suicide is now the third leading cause of death among this age group. Diagnosing teen depression is tricky and is often completely missed by parents – child and adolescent depression can look quite different from adult depression. Even parents who have good communication with their children are often unaware that their child is depressed. A large function of stress results from academic, social and family challenges and pressures. For many achievement-oriented youth, a 4.0 grade point average is not enough. Social acceptance – of key importance to teens – is even more difficult today with documented increases in bullying. And, families are under more collective strain, which only intensifies parent-child conflict that normally occurs in adolescence. connectwithkids.com \| 1-888-598-KIDS (5437) \| CWK Network, Inc. ©2008		Children of Hope: Find out how to help teens who've given up! Help your kids realize their full potential by watching this DVD together. Click here to get yours today and to preview the video.
Top

Help Wanted Signs to Be Sparse This Summer for Teens

Teens looking for work this summer may have a tougher time than in previous years. As a consequence of an uncertain economy, almost half (49%) of managers who hire hourly workers do not intend to taken on any new seasonal workers this summer.

Teens who do want to work should start seeking employment now – employers who intend to hire seasonal labor plan to fill those positions by May. Only 36% of available positions will go to new employees, while the rest will be staffed by those who have previously held a summer job for that company or location.

On the bright side, teens who are persistent and demonstrate the right attitude will increaser their chances of landing a job, according to a recent survey of hiring managers. Four in 10 (39%) say the most important quality in these applicants is a positive, eager attitude.

Screen-Time Shock

For some teens, screen time rivals time spent at school, according to new research. The recent study looked at computer and TV time to determine how many hours teenagers spend in front of a monitor.

The results are shocking: 60% of teens spend 20 hours a week in front of a monitor, 33% spend 40 hours per week and 7% spend 50 hours per week. Interestingly enough, kids whose parents had lower education levels spent more time in front of monitors.

And, not surprisingly, the more time spent in front of monitors, the higher the risk of obesity and heart disease. Additionally, teens who come from a more socially-economic disadvantaged area were more likely to spend a greater number of hours watching TV or using a computer due to lack of access to other activities in their neighborhood.

Lighting Up Can Make You Short

A new study suggests that smoking doesn’t help teenage girls lose weight – and it can stunt the growth of their male counterparts. The study found that teen boys who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day from ages 12 to 17 are about one inch shorter on average and have a lower body mass index than those who don’t.

The growth of boys may be stunted because boys reach puberty later than girls and are more likely to still be growing when they start smoking.

The study also found that teen girls who smoke cigarettes are not any likelier to lose weight compared to girls who don’t light up. The implications of the study are important because many teen girls start smoking thinking they will lose weight.

Diagnosing Teen Depression Is Tricky

Higher numbers of youths aged 12 to 17 are reporting symptoms of major depression than ever before and suicide is now the third leading cause of death among this age group. Diagnosing teen depression is tricky and is often completely missed by parents – child and adolescent depression can look quite different from adult depression.

Even parents who have good communication with their children are often unaware that their child is depressed. A large function of stress results from academic, social and family challenges and pressures.

For many achievement-oriented youth, a 4.0 grade point average is not enough. Social acceptance – of key importance to teens – is even more difficult today with documented increases in bullying. And, families are under more collective strain, which only intensifies parent-child conflict that normally occurs in adolescence.

Children of Hope:
Find out how to help teens who've given up!

Help your kids realize their full potential by watching this DVD together. Click here to get yours today and to preview the video.

Top