Number 11

 


Here is the latest edition of YouthMoves – a news-sheet for people interested in youth issues in Australia

 

Written and Produced by Kirrilie Smout, Psychologist, Speaker and Youth Specialist

 

Please note you are receiving this email after signing up for it at a seminar or via the web.  For details about unsubscribing, go to the end of this email message.

 

 

WELCOME

 

Welcome to the latest edition of YouthMoves, a newsletter for those who work with and want to understand Young Australians.   YouthMoves exists to give ‘snatches’ of youth news, info and resources relevant to busy people relating to young people.  

 

What’s in this issue?

-         Young people’s dieting and body image

-         Teacher quote of the week

-         School Phobia

-         Stats and Facts

-         PLUS find out about useful youth resources

-         PLUS find out about upcoming youth events

-         **Innovate Special** on Kirrilie’s new book “The Years that Count” and the accompanying seminar “Helping Teens through Senior School”

-         Our contact details

-         How to unsubscribe OR join up friends and colleagues to this newsletter

 

If you would like to see the back issues of Youth Moves log onto our website www.innovateonline.net

 

If I can assist your work with young people in any way (by offering counselling services, speaking/training or just answering a question about youth issues), please feel free to phone me on 8357 1711, or email innovateks@chariot.net.au.

 

 

DO I LOOK FAT IN THIS? QUIET DIETS AND DESPERATION IN TEENS

A survey conducted in Adelaide this year found that three in four teenage girls were unhappy with their body size.   Other research has found that nearly 70% of 15 year old girls are on a diet at any one time.  If you know, teach or care for a teenage girl, it is very likely that she does not like her body and is on a diet – regardless of what she weighs.   This trend is now emerging in children of younger ages.  Studies find that 50% of primary school children want to weigh less and that 20% of 8 year olds say they have been on a diet.

 

Is this really a concern?  Given the information we hear about childhood obesity, perhaps young women are actually being responsible by dieting?  This is not the case.  The majority of young women who don’t like their bodies and diet are normal weight or underweight.  In any case, we know that diets don’t work for anyone in the long term (98% of those on any form of diet regain the weight within 2-5 years).  Furthermore, dieting in young women (and adults!) significantly increases their chance of a variety of physical and emotional health problems (including depression, eating disorders and heart disease among many others).

 

I conduct many seminars on body image in schools in South Australia, and talk to young women about this issue in my counselling work.  Interestingly, young women tell me that there are certain “accepted” ways of talking when it comes to body shape and diets.  First, it is widely accepted in teenage circles for girls to talk about being fat.  “I’m so fat – no I am – no you’re not – I am” types of conversations occur regularly in high schools.  This conversation appears to be a way of fitting in, being reassured and being accepted.  Being overtly confident about your body shape is socially risky – you might be thought of as “up yourself” (boastful), or unusual.

 

Along the same lines, it is customary for teenage girls to talk about being “naughty or bad” for eating high fat foods.  “I’m such a pig, I ate so much chocolate” is a very common and acceptable topic of conversation.  Talking about eating and enjoying healthy foods seems to be more unusual and more socially risky for teenage girls. Further, most young women do not readily admit to being on a diet.  It is not trendy or acceptable to do this.  Most teenage girls diet in secret. 

 

I give several messages to young women about body image.  We talk about how the media and business are trying to sell us the lie that there is only one “right” body shape. We talk about how to appreciate and value every-body, regardless of shape or size.  We talk about the dangers of dieting.  We talk about nurturing our body.

Young women are receptive to these messages.  As adults, we need to promote this kind of healthy and accepting behaviour much more loudly.  After all, we’re competing with nearly every magazine, television show, video clip and advertisement ever made!

 

QUOTE OF THE WEEK FROM A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER

 

“An abstract noun,” the teacher said, “is something you can think of, but you can’t touch it.  Can anyone give me an example of one?”

“Sure,” a teenage boy replied. “My father’s new car.”

 

STATS and FACTS

 

Teenagers need more sleep than adults and children - approximately 9 hours per night to avoid sleepiness and fatigue during the day.  Many Australian teenagers are chronically sleep deprived, meaning they are sleepy,
irritable, unable to concentrate and more likely to get sick.

 

 

NEWS AND EVENTS

 

StepUp is an inspirational event for teens, with incredible speakers.   Coming up in Sydney, and hopefully soon to Adelaide.  Check out www.stepupfoundation.com !

 

Interested in a holistic approach to learning? The Spirit of Learning: Soul in Education and Learning for Life Conference (for educators of all kinds) is at Lake Ainsworth NSW in September. Info – www.spiritoflearning.com

 

The 2nd Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health Conference is “the” conference on adolescence this year.   A myriad of topics will be covered.  It is in Sydney, 22nd-24th October 2003. Info - www.youthconference.info

 

The 2003 International River Health Conference is in October in Mildura.  A great event for students (Yr 7-11) and teachers to increase awareness of water as a resource.  Peter Garrett (Midnight Oil) and John Butler (The John Butler Trio) will be there! Registrations close July 30th. www.riverhealth.com

 

 

FORUM –

 

Dear Kirrilie,

My 11 year old son doesn’t want to go to school.  He has been bullied previously but this seems to have stopped.  Lately, he has complained of being sick all the time.  I know he isn’t, but I’ve let him stay home for a couple of weeks for a break.  Now he refuses to go to school entirely. I’m getting worried.  From Worried Mum.

 

Dear Worried Mum,

It may be that your son is developing a school phobia sometimes known as school refusal.  This is a condition that occurs when a young person becomes highly anxious about going to school, avoids school and then becomes even more anxious about going to school.  It is often accompanied by panic attacks – short bursts of intense anxiety with physical symptoms (sometimes including nausea, vomiting, shaking, dizziness, faintness and fast breathing/heart rate).   School phobia sometimes occurs after a traumatic incident at school, and sometimes seems to appear for no apparent reason.  The treatment for school refusal revolves around getting the young person back to school as quickly as possible, and giving them strategies to cope with and understand their anxiety.  In addition, we work with the school to help the young person get back to school.  We help work out a gradual “return to school schedule” (for example, your son might only go to school for a few minutes initially, and then increase the school time gradually), finding special tasks for him at school, organising friends to support him and many other strategies.

 

School refusal is not uncommon and is relatively easily treated.  However, the longer young people are allowed to stay home, the more difficult it is to help them return.  Ask the teachers and school leaders at your school for support and advice.  If the problem continues, get advice and support from a psychologist.

 

Best Wishes, Kirrilie

 


 

RESOURCES

 

Drug Action Week kits are full of facts, figures and background information. Available from  http://www.adca.org.au/policy/drug_action_week.htm Drug Action Week: 23rd -  28th of June.

 

Want information, resources and data about youth suicide? Building Community Capacity for Suicide Prevention has all kinds of information and resources. Check out http://www.community-life.org.au

 

The Reach Out website has been revamped. It is still full of great information for people working with youth on a whole range of topics.  Worth a look! http://www.reachout.com.au

 

Do you know a young person, aged 16-24 years with high ambitions and big dreams who needs some funding to get on their way? Entries close for the Nescafe Big Break competition on July 11th 2003. For more info go to http://www.nescafebigbreak.com.au

 

‘No space for racism: Young people’s voices and recommendations’ is a report written by young people of refugee and migrant backgrounds. This ground breaking report is available from WYPIN

ph: (03) 9362 0257, fax (03) 9687 9286.

 

 

INNOVATE SPECIAL

 

The Years That Count – How to Maximise Motivation, Grades and Optimism in Senior School Students,  is still available for sale at “launch price” from our website.  Last week it was quoted in the latest edition of Australian Family Circle Magazine!

 

 

Produced by Kirrilie Smout, Psychologist and Professional Speaker specialising in Australian Youth Issues. Kirrilie is available for keynote presentations, training, counselling/assessment of young people, and offering comment on youth issues.For information please contact Innovate Psychology and Education:  phone 8357 1711 or go to www.innovateonline.net

 

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