Southwest Wisconsin Youth Survey

Conflict can be both positive, leading to new ways of thinking about things and interesting debates, or negative, leading to anger and even violence. Fifty-seven percent (57%) of females report they would respond to being pushed or hit by another student non-violently. Sixty-four percent (64%) of males would respond to being pushed or hit by another student with violence by:

• pushing or hitting the student right back or
• hitting or pushing the student right back harder so they wouldn’t do it again. 

Find out more about conflict resolution strategies and practices by reading newest Parents Make a Difference Newsletter. (Just click on the title to read more.)

Everyone needs to keep moving to keep looking and feeling good.  Children and adolescents should be encouraged to get at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. However, youth today are busy!! According to SWYS results, 28% of 10^th-12^th graders spend 10 or more hours per week in a job. To learn more about this click here to view the newsletter.

Would you know a sexual abuser if you saw one?  Based on national statistics the answer would be “no”.  Those who abuse look and act just like everyone else, and are often people the victim knows.  In fact, they often go out of their way to appear trustworthy.  SWYS had similar findings as can be seen by examining teen perpetrators of teen sexual abuse in southwest Wisconsin. Click here to read more about this and find some tips to help talk with teens to help keep them safe in our February Newsletter.

Stress is often a part of our daily lives, but it is important to stop and think about how stress impacts teens’ lives.  As teens progress through school the amount of stress they report increases as shown in Figure 1.  Overall, only 10% of teens report no stress in their lives.  Helping teens to manage stress positively is a critical life skill in which parents play an important role.  Parents can help teens identify stress and model positive stress management skills. To find out more click here to see the January Parents Make a Difference Newsletter.

Feeling loved and supported is crucial as teens grow to adulthood.  During adolescence young people are beginning to discover who they are as individuals separate from their parents.  Teens who strongly agree with the statement, “My family loves me and gives me support when I need it,” are much less likely to have tried alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, much less likely to have had sexual intercourse, and are much less likely to feel depressed. Click here to find out more by reading the December Parents Make a Difference Newsletter Teens and Family Support.

Technology like the internet and cell phones are wonderful tools for teens. These tools can be used in a variety of ways and for many young people, the internet and cell phones become their social lifeline. Like communicating in the real world, there are risks involved in interacting online or electronically.  One of these risks is cyberbullying. To read more about how many Southwestern Wisconsin Teens are impacted by cyberbullying and how to make the technology as safe as possible for youth read our November newsletter Teens and Cyberbullying.

Among the difficult topics for parents to deal with is the issue of teen alcohol use.  According to the results from the 2009 Southwest Wisconsin Youth Survey (SWYS) of 5,747 7^th – 12^th graders, 46% of southwest WI teens have tried alcohol.  Click on the title to read the October Parents Make a Difference Newsletter to find out more.

Since athletics and co-curricular activities are an extension of the classroom, the activity or athletic code outlines how a school will maintain a healthy environment that will lead to positive youth development through student activities.  Activity codes are used to set behavior standards for teens that have the privilege of representing their school in athletics and student activities.  

A parent can use the activity code as an opportunity to discuss behavior expectations. Parents can also remind teens that participating in these activities provides an opportunity for their teen to develop physical conditioning and athletic skill, while also building character traits essential for success in life. Read more in the August Parents Make a Difference Newsletter: Teens and Activity Codes.

 A close examination of the results of the Southwest Wisconsin Youth Survey (SWYS) provides clues as to how teen involvement in school and non-school activities is related to academic performance.

 SWYS indicated students surveyed worried about getting good grades.  Survey results link involvement in school related co- or extra-curricular activities and involvement in structured non-school activities with academic achievement.

For more information read the Parents Make a Difference Newsletter for April: Teen Involvement and Academics.

Today, many teenagers are sexually active.  As uncomfortable as you may be with the idea of your teen having sex, it’s a reality and even more common than teens who report smoking cigarettes.

Risks associated with teen sexual activity can go beyond an unplanned pregnancy.  Teens who are sexually active are also more likely to be affected by sexually transmitted infections, depression and other risks.      

Parents play an important role in the sex education of their children.  Teens do pay attention when parents work to share their values and morals.  When parents talk with their teens, they can be sure their teens have the information they need about sexual development and sexual activity.

For more information read the Parents Make A Difference Newsletter for March: Teens and Sex.