Shared Links (weekly) Sept. 17, 2023

Shared Links (weekly) Sept. 17, 2023

Another Possible Reason for the Rise in Youth Mental Health Issues

Another Possible Reason for the Rise in Youth Mental Health Issues

Ben points out that the Child Tax Credit was expanded to assist poor families with pandemic-related economic hardships in 2021. 

The rate of childhood poverty dropped to historic lows.

Then it went away. And, well, what else would you expect?

According to NPR, “…A year ago, child poverty hit a historic low of 5.2%. The latest figures [a year after the child tax credits expired] put it at 12.4%, the same as the overall poverty rate. The surge happened as record inflation was rising and a lot of pandemic relief was running out, but Census officials and other experts say a key was the child tax credit.”

Shared Links (weekly) Aug. 13 2023

Shared Links (weekly) Aug. 13 2023

Sharing – Peer-on-Peer Abuse: What can be done when kids hurt kids?

Sharing – Peer-on-Peer Abuse: What can be done when kids hurt kids?

There’s no real difference. I should know. I was sexually abused by an older minor. There was no creepy old man, only an older and bigger kid who threatened me. Someone in my own family. Mall parking lots, school, and our neighborhood park weren’t the places where I was not safe, my family was.

And I had no way to tell anyone, because I wasn’t taught about that being child abuse. Only strange men in white vans giving out candy abused children. Whatever was happening in my family wasn’t to be discussed with anyone. It wasn’t, and it went on for years.

Maybe we should do better with understanding the ways kids abuse other kids, and talking openly about it. The link below can help.

Sharing – The concerning rise of the “Trauma Essay”

Sharing – The concerning rise of the “Trauma Essay”

Jake has concerns, and I think we should be concerned about this. “High school students are being encouraged to write about their struggles, hardships, and traumatic life experiences in order to be admitted into college & university. This therapist has some concerns.” Writing about trauma can be beneficial. I’ve always encouraged people to talk and…