Youth Advocacy
Youth Advocacy
Year 3, Week 13 (203 total reports)
20.04.2023-26.04.2024
REVIEW and ANNOUNCEMENTS
Advocating for young people in the face of a political and judicial system that is dangerously beholden to a narcissist. Youth Advocacy at this time demands raising awareness and making sure rational people vote in the upcoming US election.
Special Adolescent Care Link of the Week
7 Reasons Being An Introvert Is A True Gift To Modern-Day Society
https://www.yourtango.com/self/why-being-introvert-true-gift-modern-day-society
There are so many misconceptions about Introverts and this article does a good job revealing many of them. If you have an Introvert in your life, this article is well-worth your time. If you’re a leader, parent, or work with young people, this article will help you accompany those with introvert tendencies so they can live to their fullest potential without guilt or shame for who they are.
Best Links of The Week
26.04.2024
How to Thrive When Confronting Conflict
https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/thrive-confronting-conflict-bookbite/48461/
Everyone who is alive will be faced with conflict. We each see the world on a spectrum that is conflict-positive and conflict-negative. The side of that spectrum we feed will be the side that grows. This book review does a great job of reminding us about the benefits of dealing with conflict in a positive manner and further uncovers what a conflict-positive stance looks like. Take time to read it, to apply and practice some of its invaluable suggestions, and help others in your realm learn these practices too. After all, a healthy person wants to surround themselves with people who can have proactive conversations about any pressing issue. Our young people need this invaluable direction and these invaluable skills.
25.04.2024
The Supreme Court Just Stepped Into Our Country’s Most Fundamental Minefield
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a60281451/supreme-court-texas-immigration/
Thanks to the conservative SCOTUS (Supreme Court of Trump, US) Texas Republican Governor, Greg Abbott, can now make his own foreign policy. Even a major Texas newspaper (see the article below) sees Abbott’s policies as dangerous. This article looks at historical conflicts regarding State and Federal jurisdiction. Given other blatantly political decisions by the compromised and politically biased court, it will be interesting to see where they land on the issue of immigration and Federal borders in states like Texas, Florida, Arizona, and others.
24.04.2024
We have the power to end Christian nationalism’s hold on the United States. Just ask France.
The division between church and state has probably never been more obfuscated or fragile in US history. Christian Nationalist Justices and politicians are not even trying to disguise their efforts to force their beliefs on others in the realms of race, economics, sexuality, and justice. According to former justice, Stephen Breyer (see article below), the actions of this court risk making the constitution irrelevant to a majority of Americans—and particularly young, female, Americans. One need look no further than the outline for Project 2025 or the 2025 GOP budget proposal to see their blatant exertions to dismantle the separation between church and state. Alternatively, France has become an example of a nation committed to freedom from religious domination of their government, going so far as to pass a federal right to abortion on International Women’s Day. Based on the evidence, one could justifiably say the covert agenda of the Far Rights’ policies and budgets is to insure that babies birthed in the future will only be ones that sit in their pews.
23.04.2024
Sojourner Truth's powerful speech standing up for women's rights is still inspiring the world
If you have not learned about Sojourner Truth, this is an opportunity for you to put your toe in the water. Voices like hers (and yesterday’s example of Coretta Scott King) are becoming increasingly relevant as the GOP and MAGA-right seek to attack minorities, women, and the gender diffuse. Sojourner Truth’s journey from slave to civil rights leader is vitalizing. The insights she shares resonate around the world today. Please take time to read this abbreviated article about her ideas—radical in her day and sadly, still in ours.
22.04.2024
A Blueprint for a Stronger America in Coretta Scott King
https://msmagazine.com/2024/03/21/a-blueprint-for-a-stronger-america-in-coretta-scott-king/
On this day, as Republicans call for dismantling many programs that assist the disenfranchised (such a funding school lunches), the words and actions of Coretta Scott King shine like a beacon fueled by historical insight, courage, compassion, and love. When I was studying to receive my Chaplaincy degree, I used to walk the four miles from Emory University to the King Center and sit in Ebenezer Baptist Church listening to recordings of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s speeches. I was even privileged one day to meet Scott-King at a speech she gave and was one in a long line to thank her for her untiring commitment and service. Ms. Magazine points out that this is a critical time to remember women like Scott-King and others (like the above article about Sojourner Truth) who have sacrificed so much to remind us of our obligation to those disenfranchised by the politics of the MAGA right and the racist views of people like Donald Trump. Please take a moment to read this article and learn more about the powerful source of enduring support that Scott-King provided her husband.
21.04.2024
Red, white, and feeling blue: Why young Americans are in a ‘mid-life crisis’
Normally, according to the Gallup poll on happiness, it is usually the people in mid-life who are least happy, but this poll is telling us that in Western Europe, United States, and Canada, it is young adults who are now experiencing the lowest happiness scores. This report presents an overview of the reasons, but divided politics, social media, and the inability to afford housing are primary explanations. Some lawmakers are insightful enough to begin addressing this issue of declining happiness among young adults—who also become disillusioned democratic participants—but we are not doing enough to ask the questions and review the research about happiness and why it matters.
20.04.2024
The Ego Has Crash-Landed
https://apple.news/ADi0vCU9eQ9y_DysEIdZtUQ
What an appropriate name for Donald Trump; “The Ego.” This in-depth view focuses on how Trump cannot help but make everything about himself as pathetic victim in order to cover up his transgressions. Somehow, his ego must have all the air in the room, he is addicted to seeing his own name in the news—no matter whether it is positive or negative and he has fostered a generation of politicians who are shamelessly similar (like Marjory Taylor Greene). Trump literally just can’t help himself and sadly, he is surrounded by racist, pandering, people who see a way to their own nefarious ends by using this man as their puppet. Trump will never know what it is like to be loved because all of his relationships—all of them—are transactional. Even Putin has gone as far as to say that he is only tolerated for what he can do for others.
This Week’s Links
26.04.2024
How to Thrive When Confronting Conflict
https://nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/thrive-confronting-conflict-bookbite/48461/
A Supreme Court Justice Sounds a Warning
https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/03/26/stephen-breyer-supreme-court-interview-00148948
The Supreme Court Is Shaming Itself
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/03/dc-trump-trial-speed/677862/
Why 2024 may be the most consequential election for reproductive rights in 50 years
The Supreme Court Just Stepped Into Our Country’s Most Fundamental Minefield
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a60281451/supreme-court-texas-immigration/
Jeff Yass just bought Trump. Here’s what he stands to gain.
https://www.msnbc.com/the-reidout/reidout-blog/trump-truth-social-tik-tok-jeff-yass-rcna144951
Donald Trump’s Nine Lives
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/03/donald-trump-new-york-trial/677877/
What's Wrong with Life Today? Here Are Some Famous Answers
Finding Possibility in Uncertainty
25.04.2024
The Supreme Court Just Stepped Into Our Country’s Most Fundamental Minefield
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/politics/a60281451/supreme-court-texas-immigration/
First lady highlights attacks on LGBTQ rights at HRC’s Los Angeles dinner
One year in, Khan Academy’s AI has 65,000 students, and is still learning new skills
24.04.2024
We have the power to end Christian nationalism’s hold on the United States. Just ask France.
7 Reasons Being An Introvert Is A True Gift To Modern-Day Society
https://www.yourtango.com/self/why-being-introvert-true-gift-modern-day-society
America’s first biometric ‘smart gun’ is finally here. Will it work?
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/biofire-smart-gun-biometric-safety-rcna143637
Jonathan Haidt's book presents stark data on the negative effects of smartphones on youth
Venting won't help, new study shows—this is the No. 1 way to manage your anger
https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/23/the-no-1-way-to-manage-your-anger-.html
How does the U.S. refugee system work?
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/how-does-the-u-s-refugee-system-work
Religion losing its influence in the US: Poll
https://www.newsnationnow.com/religion/religion-losing-influence-in-u-s-poll/
Spurned by the economy, young Americans are feeling so lonely and powerless they plunged the nation’s happiness score
https://fortune.com/2024/03/23/world-happiness-report-genz-american-dream-boomers-financial-future/
23.04.2024
Sojourner Truth's powerful speech standing up for women's rights is still inspiring the world
Parents of LGBTQ Kids Are Struggling to Find a Safe Haven
https://apple.news/ANCT0TCZfSLKSbwQo4cNYDg
Greg Abbott's Border Bill Rebuked by Major Texas Newspaper: 'Fiasco'
https://www.newsweek.com/greg-abbotts-border-bill-rebuked-major-texas-newspaper-fiasco-1882514
Independence may be the key to reducing anxiety in childhood, new research shows - but how do you give a child independence?
House Republicans just gave Biden the biggest possible gift
New Indiana law requires professors to promote 'intellectual diversity' to keep tenure
What Is Religion?
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/theory-of-knowledge/202403/what-is-religion
I hated history — until I learned about Shirley Chisholm
https://www.npr.org/2024/03/22/1240171159/shirley-chisholm-womens-history-month
22.04.2024
A Blueprint for a Stronger America in Coretta Scott King
https://msmagazine.com/2024/03/21/a-blueprint-for-a-stronger-america-in-coretta-scott-king/
House Republicans Want to Ban Universal Free School Lunches
https://theintercept.com/2024/03/21/house-republicans-ban-universal-school-lunches/
Why Trans Kids Have the Right to Change Their Biological Sex
https://apple.news/A-BgpFquITL-aC_U2ow9-Ig
What Pain Acceptance Really Means
A modest proposal: No smartphones for kids
https://www.axios.com/2024/03/22/kids-childhood-smartphone-ban-social-media
21.04.2024
Red, white, and feeling blue: Why young Americans are in a ‘mid-life crisis’
What Trump Supporters Think When He Mocks People With Disabilities
https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/03/trump-disabilities-supporters-responses/677812/
House Republicans Endorse National Abortion Ban
‘It’s become a joke’: House GOP’s impeachment continues to scam the American people
Trump’s Dangerous January 6–Pardon Promise
Reducing Meltdowns in Children With Autism Spectrum
People Can Overestimate Their Abilities, Something Known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect
Reflective Parenting: Navigating Teen Brains Towards Resilience - Neuroscience News
https://neurosciencenews.com/reflective-parenting-neurodevelopment-25783/
6 Tiny Ways To Emotionally Regulate Yourself, According To Neuroscience
https://www.yourtango.com/self/tiny-ways-emotionally-regulate-yourself-according-neuroscience
20.04.2024
The Ego Has Crash-Landed
https://apple.news/ADi0vCU9eQ9y_DysEIdZtUQ
Five charts compare Democrats and Republicans on job creation
U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend
Taming the Amygdala in PTSD
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/cant-stress-this-enough/202403/taming-the-amygdala-in-ptsd
Hegel’s Master-Slave Dialectic Explained