Teen violence in Philadelphia public school

By: Jameelah White

The violence in pubic school is ridiculous. Thomas Edison high school had a report of 117 violent incidents, including 80 assaults 26 weapon possessions, in the 2009-2010 school year. Edison stands out as one of the district’s 19 “persistently dangerous” schools in Philadelphia on the list. Schools that are in poor and high crime neighborhoods are mainly on the list, they can not break free because the size of enrollment increases the probability that 20 students will be arrested a year for violent acts.

The superintendent has vowed to get Philadelphia off the list within two years. He declared the situation as an emergency. He wants to install more cameras, improve schools climate and student monitoring programs. They want to improve the safety of the student. The state Department of Education, which is supposed to monitor the plans, has traditionally had "a hands-off policy toward the Philadelphia School District”.

They treat these kids as criminals because of where they come. Just because they come from poor communities that doesn’t mean they don’t want better. If they treat the kids like they are worth something then the kids would maybe start to act like it. There are some bad seeds but it cant be that many in my opinion. Some kids do come to school and are ready to learn. If they would take the energy from treating them like criminals and put it towards encouraging them, they could become better students.

The media sometimes encourages these girl fights. Television shows sometimes display girls fighting over stupid things like a boy. They show these girls fighting as entertainment but it may really affect these young girls life. Some of them will think it is okay to go around yelling, fighting and acting all crazy. The bad girls club shows so many fights that’s it’s ridiculous. These girls jus be yelling, fighting and partying all day long. instead of showing young women act like this they should be showing the how to act like ladies. It is un-lady-like to be acting all wild, always cussing and wanting to fight.

Teens and Sex

By: Jameelah White


Many teens have sex because they think “ everyone else” is having sex. Fifty-three percent of high school students have not had sexual intercourse. Teenagers think if their friends are having sex then they have to have sex as well to fix in with the group. Teens who have sex are at high risk for pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Fourteen percent of high school students report having had sex with four or more partners. Which I think is a very high number because by the time you get into your late twenties that number would double. The more sexual partners a person has over time, the more likely he or she is to get a sexually transmitted disease.



The media also plays a big role in teens decision to have sex. It seems like every time you turn on the television something portraying to sex is being displayed. Teens who see and hear a lot about sex in the media may be more than twice as likely to have early sexual intercourse as those who are rarely exposed to sexual content. Shows that are suppose to be for teens shows a whole lot of sex moments. The songs they play on the radio is always talking about some type of sexual intercourse.



Teens need to be aware of the consequences of having sex. Teens don’t pay attention to this and its something that is very important to think about. We need to educate more teens about what problems they could face when they start having sex at a young age. Most teens get pregnant at a young age. If they knew more of what could happen to them then maybe they would think twice about the deciding to have sex.

Bulling is not only physical

By Astrid Beato

Cyber bullying is any harassment that occurs via the Internet. It can be a variety of posting fake profiles on web sites, vicious form of posts, name calling in chat rooms, and mean, cruel and threatening email messages are all ways of cyber bullying. 

Teenagers now-a-days spend a lot of time on the Internet. It’s either on instant messenger chat, uploading photos, videos, etc. They may also have online friends that maybe they’ve never met in person to play online games and exchange messages. Therefore the Internet is an easy way for anyone to be a victim of cyber bullying, especially teenagers. Cyber bullies either pretending they are different people from themselves to spread lies and rumors, send or forward mean messages, post pictures of their victims without their consent or trick other people into revealing personal information to send out to the public.According to cyber bullying statistics from the i-SAFE foundation: over half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, and about the same number are cyber bullying.1 in 3 teens have experienced cyber threats online and also over half of young people do not tell their parents when they are being cyber bullied.

On the good side, there are ways for cyberbully victims to react; the victims can either block complete communication with the cyberbully, deleting the messages without reading them, talking to a friend or reporting the problem to the Internet service provider. Also the victims can save all the communication and harassment of them being bullied as evidence and talk to a trustworthy adult, law enforcement and or parent to find and stop the cyberbulling. So if anyone knows a person that is a victim of cyber bulling or maybe yourself seek help you’re not the only one.

Here is a link of some stories of other people being cyber bullied,  http://familyinternet.about.com/u/ua/computingsafetyprivacy/Cyberbullyua.htm

 Here is also a short video of Sophie's story.

Suicide Among the Youth

By: Brittanie DeShields

For my organic post I have decided to do it on teen suicide. This has always been something that has bothered me very much. Many people don't understand what these people go through especially if they have never been in this situation. When a person comes to anyone about being suicidal it is their way of asking for help because they trust that person will not judge them. They also don't realize IT IS OKAY TO ASK FOR HELP!!... I wish some would realize this sooner than later.

According to the American Association of Suicidology:

• Each year, there are approximately 10 youth suicides for every 100,000 youth.
• Each day, there are approximately 12 youth suicides.
• Every 2 hours and 11 minutes, a person under the age of 25 completes suicide.
• In 2005, 270 children ages 10 to 14 completed suicide in the U.S.

Most teens have so many things going on in their lives and so much pressure put on them that many people don't realize when they are not okay. They feel as if they have no other choice but to agree to doing everything to please others but they aren't focusing on themselves. If they are being bullied at school, having problems at home, failing school, a victim of abuse, anything that triggers them to not feel worthy will leave them feeling completely helpless. These are all things that lead to depression which plays a large role in suicide. This is when they need help the most!

http://www.suicidology.org/c/document_library/get_file?folderId=232&name=DLFE-24.pdf

The above link has many more statistics and other useful information. I hope we can all just find a way to help save someones life if they come to any of us looking for help.