1.   A victim DOES NOT “have it coming” if she and/or he dresses a certain way

Far more organizations, governments, and schools recognize this fact than just the linked-up Marion County, Oregon. In reality, rape and sexual assault victims (who hail from every single demographic imaginable) could be wearing anything at all when the crime occurs; such atrocities are the result of power hunger rather than lust, and foisting the responsibility onto the victim only amplifies their trauma.

2. In 2008, 6.8% of female and 1.8% of male military personnel reported “unwanted sexual contact”

Of these, 79% of the men and 78% of the women expressed reticence when it came time to file complaints, meaning escalating numbers probably don’t indicate an increase in incidents so much as more willingness to report them. Females were most likely to cite discomfort as their primary reason for holding back (58%), whereas 60% of men thought sexual assault wasn’t significant enough to report.

3. Two and a half percent of men report sexual abuse at some point in their lives

According to the CDC surveys, at least. But dredging up definitive statistics on just how many men and boys have been raped and sexually assaulted proves a tricky venture, as the prevailing stigmas against victimhood mean so many feel too ashamed to report crimes. Because of this, males on the receiving end of the trauma face an increased risk of depression, self-harm, and substance abuse.

4. CDC surveys show that 10.6% of American women have been sexually victimized in their lifetime

Once again, though, the numbers might skew higher than that because of fear and victim-blaming. Compared to 0.9% of men, 2.5% of women reported sexual assault and rape occurred within the past 12 months.

5. A correlation between eating disorders and surviving sexual assault exists

Columbia University states that studies show around 30% of individuals suffering from eating disorders – mostly women – also experienced rape or sexual assault prior to the illness’ onset. Some of these estimate that a victim’s risk of anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and/or EDNOS might actually double.

6. Spouses can rape and sexually assault

Every state recognizes this, although they tend to prosecute sexually violent husbands and wives differently than their unmarried equivalents. Only recently were the laws reworded to make sure the rights of victimized spouses were properly protected, however, and in many parts of the world marital rape and assault are still considered perfectly legal.

7. Two-thirds of rape victims know the perpetrator

Prevailing myths painting rapists and sexual assailants as proverbial strangers jumping out of the bushes couldn’t be further from the reality. The vast majority of victims knew the criminals before the incident or incidents took place; friends and acquaintances were the most likely to commit the crime at a rate of 38%, followed by intimate partners (28%), and relatives (7%).

8. One out of every four college-aged women has experienced a rape or attempted rape

A further one out of five will be raped while attending college, and the statistics paint them as one of the most vulnerable groups to sexual victimization.

9. One out of every twelve college men admit they legally raped someone

Whether out of ignorance for what legally constitutes rape and sexual assault or just not caring, this statistic is certainly a terrifying one. Especially since 35.5% of college students were victimized by a classmate – more than friends (34.2%), partners or exes (23.7%), and acquaintances (2.6%).

10. Thirty-five percent of college-age men said they would rape a woman if they were guaranteed no consequences

Even more disturbingly, one in five who did rape or sexually assault a female classmate cited a complete lack of self-control as their prime motivator. They admit they place their sexual urges over whether or not the victim in question wanted to take part.

11. Over 75% of college rapes and sexual assault involve intoxicants of some sort

Either present in the bloodstream of one or more of the involved parties, although victims are still not to blame. Many of these traumatic incidents occur when the man and/or woman on the receiving end wind up too drunk or drugged to fend off their attackers and give a definitive “NO!” when propositioned for sexual activity.

12. At least 9.2% of CPS’ 2010 reports involve sexual abuse

These reports may or may not come partnered with other forms of abuse, such as neglect or physical violence. Many of these victims were children with behavioral (3.9%) or emotional (3.2%) disabilities, with a further 5.2% suffering from some other medical condition – though the data doesn’t always reflect sexual abuse. Eighty-one point three percent of total incidents were perpetuated by a parent or a parent and an accomplice, with 37.2% involving just the mother, 19.1% involving just the father, and 18.5% involving both.

13. No one date rape drug is more common than another

Statistics on exactly how prevalent the most popular date rape drugs truly are prove difficult to come by, though a study by Canada’s Coalition Against Violence shows ketamine, ecstasy, rohypnol (“roofies”), and GHB as those typically encountered. Rapists hoping to incapacitate their victims usually combine these with alcohol in order to increase their efficacy, though they can be ingested alone – even consensually – as well. Because victims fear judgment over having drugs and alcohol in their system, their hesitance to report the crime makes it difficult for lawmakers and healthcare providers to receive a clear picture of how far the problem extends.

14. Many date rape drugs cannot be tested using a urine or blood sample

Probably the major reason nobody can establish a tangible grasp on how wide date rape drugging spreads is how often they manage to stymie routine blood and urine tests. The National Drug Intelligence Center says the human body metabolizes the most common substances so quickly, the victims who have ingested them have usually already passed them by the time help arrives or a report is filed.

15. A date rape drug-detecting straw is currently in development…

Tel Aviv University chemistry professors Fernando Patolsky and Michael Ioffe have made headway on a straw capable of detecting ketamine and GHB (with plans for rohypnol) in beverages thanks to a sophisticated censor. While not available commercially, this research certainly stands as an excellent building block helping to keep women and men both safe from sexual predators.

16. …as is an anti-rape device

Known as Rape-aXe and designed by Dr. Sonnet Ehlers, the anti-rape device acts as a sort of condom with toothlike hooks trapping a penis, finger, tongue, or inanimate object used to violate a vaginal opening. Reactions to the invention have proven mixed, with many critics fearing it might enrage a perpetrator to the point of homicide. Regardless, this invention marks a significant step in technology’s role in rape and sexual assault prevention.

17. An average of 207,754 Americans are victimized by rape and sexual assault every year…

However, the U.S. Department of Justice’s statistics only report the victimization of individuals over the age of 12. Which unfortunately means the exact number of Americans reporting rape and sexual assaults is much higher than that.

18. …which means a rape or sexual assault happens at least once every two minutes in the United States

RAINN’s took the Department of Justice’s findings and number-crunched them to discover that this means a sexual assault and rape take place roughly once every two minutes. Beyond American borders, the numbers fluctuate, of course, but every incident is a terrible, needless one.

19. Only 5.8% of rape accusations are considered “unfounded”

One of the horrifying myths genuinely preventing victims from coming forward with their stories – and even reporting the crimes in question – paints them almost universally as liars out to get back at or something from the accused. This, in turn, denies them the justice, support, and treatment necessary to heal. In reality, 2008 saw only 5.8% of cases deemed “unfounded” by the FBI. Thanks to victim-blaming popular assumptions, verifiable cases of rape and sexual assault are considered heavily under reported.

20. Rape and attempted rape victims are the most likely to receive medical attention following an incident

Keep in mind that the numbers offered by the Bureau of Justice Statistics only cover female victims of sexual assault, rape, and attempted rape. Between 1992 and 2000, 45% of reported cases sought medical assistance, compared to only 22% of nonreported. Every single rape committed during that time frame resulted in mild to severe physical damage, as did 29% of attempted rapes and 17% of sexual assaults.

21. Sexual violence doesn’t have to be physical

The National Institutes of Health, the CDC, and other government institutions recognize verbal abuse of a sexual nature as a form of sexual assault. While it obviously causes no physical damage and does not require the same intervention tactics as an incident that does, the feds still consider it a crime. Sexual violence exists along a spectrum of severity, with milder words on one end and the most horrifying examples of rape on the other. Purely verbal assaults can still result in extended mental and emotional trauma, however, and should be taken seriously.

22. In 2011, 11,364 American workers filed sexual harassment charges

Of these, 16.3% were filed by male employees, busting up myths that only women wind up victimized by workplace sexual harassment. These statistics come courtesy of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

23. Workplace sexual harassment cost $52.3 million in 2010

According to the EEOC, people unable or unwilling to practice courtesy and discretion in the workplace wind up costing their employers (and themselves) obscene amounts of money. Funny enough, the statistics available don’t include monetary rewards that come about because of a lawsuit.

24. Worldwide, anywhere between 80% to 100% of women experience street harassment:

  Sociologist Holly Kearl set about collecting the world’s first definitive data on street harassment, or verbal and physical sexual assault happening in a public space. Depending on the nation, anywhere between 80% to 100% of responding women said they had been followed, whistled at, groped, honked at, or received unwanted comments of a sexual nature. She also noted the psychological results of the incidents, which ranged from changing daily routes and moving to triggering traumatic memories of previous assaults and rapes.

25. Where to get help:

 Always call the police in the event of an emergency. Domestic violence and family shelters almost always accept rape and sexual assault victims who need a place to stay – and if they have no room on hand, will always point them in the direction of someone who does. The vast majority of colleges and universities also offer resources, and completely free counseling, for men and women traumatized by sexual violence. Be sure to know where and how they work and what services they provide. At the national level, RAINN and Take Back the Night are the two biggest organizations devoted to victim advocacy and sexual assault and rape prevention and care.

Source:  Bachelors Degree Online

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10 Early Signs Your Child May Have a Learning Disorder

In most cases learning disabilities won’t be identified in children until after they’ve been attending school for several years. Even then, the indications aren’t always obvious and consequently don’t present themselves clearly apart from formal training. Nevertheless there are some signs that parents can look for if they suspect that their child does indeed suffer from a learning disorder. Here is a list of ten such signs:

1. Family History – For starters, a parent can identify risk based on heredity. Has there been a history of learning disabilities or congenital diseases which can lead or contribute to a learning disability?
2. Substance Abuse by Parents – If either of the parents has had in the past or currently has a substance abuse problem, there is a higher risk of a learning disability in the child, particularly if the mother’s abuse continued through her pregnancy.
3. Motor Skills – If a child shows slow development of gross motor skills (such as walking or standing), or small motor skills (like toes or fingers), this can be a precursor to a learning disability. Watch for these indicators during the first 6 months, particularly in combination with other developmental delays such as …
4. Cognitive Skills – A child’s ability to recognize faces and retain information, such as repeating a phrase that he or she may have learned once already. An inability to learn skills typical for the child’s age may suggest an LD.
5. Speech/Language – A child may display some difficulty expressing herself, or have a hard time understanding or recognizing letters or numbers. A doctor exam can isolate many of these cognitive difficulties and eliminate other possibilities such as hearing or vision problems.
6. Poor Concentration – Although it is a separate issue entirely, ADD often is accompanied by a learning disorder and must be diagnosed separately. Yet a child who is dealing with a learning disability will frequently become distracted out of frustration.
7. Delayed Speech – On the one hand, the child may begin speaking at a later age than should be expected; then there is delayed or faltering speech, in which the child struggles with correct pronunciation and the ability to express a thought clearly.
8. Poor Retention – The child, for instance, may be able to follow along with a bedtime fairy tale reading quite well, but then not be able to discuss it in much depth afterward. Inability to recall information that was recently taught or shared is another potential warning sign.
9. Difficulty Following Direction – A child with an LD might not be able to take simple instructions to complete a task. Bear in mind that most children with an LD have average or above average IQ’s, but simply lack the ability to readily apply it for some reason.
10. Reading Comprehension – It is often difficult for a child with a learning disability to discern words, characters or be able to read effectively. Depending on the age of the child and the amount of schooling he’s received, reading ability can be a determining sign of an LD.

It’s important to point out that no one indicator is definitive proof that a child is suffering from a learning disorder. There are any number of other possibilities to consider as well. Only through careful observation and professional examination can a child be accurately diagnosed with a learning disability.

Source: National Nannies

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5000 Laptops delivers to children in Niguarda

Months ago I was watching 60 Minutes and saw a segment on One Laptop per Child.  I was completely in awe at the way this laptop was connecting children throughout the world.  Then I found out my good friend, and Parenting Expert, Dr. Michele Borba was asked to be part of this amazing and tireless team to teach these children and give these children a future.  Michele has been absolutely blown away at the way these laptops are making a difference, their high tech quality and durability as well as the appreciation these kids have.

OLPC mission is to empower the world’s poorest children through education.

We aim to provide each child with a rugged, low-cost, low-power, connected laptop. To this end, we have designed hardware, content and software for collaborative, joyful, and self-empowered learning. With access to this type of tool, children are engaged in their own education, and learn, share, and create together. They become connected to each other, to the world and to a brighter future. – OLPC

Parenting Expert and author of over 25 parenting books, Dr. Michele Borba is one of their United States Ambassadors. On her recent trip to Miami she visited schools in Liberty City where she witnessed these laptops interact with students that were in other countries.

Dr. Borba says;

“It was simply amazing! Each click of the mouse was helping them become more connected both to the world and to a brighter future.”

On February 28th, Michele Borba and a team from #OLPC delivered 5000 laptops to children in Nicaragua. (Watch video).

Dr. Michele Borba with the children.

For more information on One Laptop per Child and inspiring stories, visit http://one.laptop.org/.

Maybe you would like to donate, volunteer or find out how you can become involved.  Click here.

Here are the stories from literally around the world – changing the world, one child at a time through one laptop at a time. Click here…. just like they are doing.

Watch a slideshow and video of this amazing trip here.

When is enough - enough?

Second semester.  Some teens have had enough. They don’t want to go to school anymore.  They believe they know it all.  It is easier to get a GED, after all, some of their so-called friend are doing it!

Your once happy, bouncing toddler that strolled into kindergarten, brought that artwork home for your refrigerator, and may have end participated in the school plays has now decided that hanging out with a new group of peers that are less than what you would have selected for them, is their thing….

As much as you are trying to ignore or just say it is a phase, you notice your teen is withdrawing from the family, failing in school, smell alcohol, maybe even marijuana, cigarettes, and overall have become a child you no longer recognize with a personality that is defiant and totally disrespectful the the family boundaries – what do you do?

Most parents try local therapy – which is a great first step, but when happens when therapy doesn’t work?  You can’t be afraid to take that next step!  A parent in a denial only harms your teenager.  Don’t be held hostage in your home by your teen’s behavior.

Sending a child to a residential program/school is a major decision. It is not one to be taken lightly or to be decided on overnight.

Usually a teen’s behavior has been slowly escalating and a parent knows that deep down things are not getting better.  As much as you hope and pray that things will change, this is only typical teen behavior, sometimes it just isn’t.

With drug use and substance abuse rising – more dangerous and deadly ingredients being used, such as spice and inhalants, parents have reason to be concerned.  It isn’t your marijuana of generations prior – it is so much worse and in many cases – addictive and deadly.

If you have reached your wit’s end and now surfing the Internet for help, remember, anyone can build a website.  Anyone can put up nice pictures and create great content.  You need to do your due diligence.

Years ago I struggled with my own teenager.  I was at my wit’s end.  I didn’t realize what a big business this “teen help industry” was.  Yes, my child needed help, but what we received was anything but that.  My story is a cautionary tale – not one to scare you into not using a program, however on the contrary, you have to get your child help, but you have to do your research in getting them the right help.

You can do it without spending thousands!

Here are some quick tips:

• Your child is not for sale, try to avoid those marketing arms selling you a list of programs that are not in the best interest of your child’s individual needs.
• Always speak with an owner or director – Someone that has a vested in your teen’s recovery.  Their reputation is on the line.
• Wilderness and other short term programs are usually nothing more than a band-aid that will fall off as quickly as the program lasted.  They are expensive camping trips and in most cases the Wilderness program will tell you at about 4 weeks that your teen will need to continue on to a longer term program.  What? Yes, now you go back to the research board and worse than that, your teen will be deflated when he finds out he/she isn’t coming home in 6-9 weeks as they were lead to believe – and they will be starting all over again with a new therapist – new schedule – and new setting.  Don’t get caught up in this “shuffle.”  Start and finish with the same school/program.
• The average stay should be about 6-9-12 months, depending on your teen.  Anything less is probably non-effective.  Anything more, you may be creating abandonment issues in my opinion.
• Do you really need an Educational Consultant?  Absolutely not.  You are the parent and no one knows your teen better than you do – with a few tips, you will be able to make some sound choices.

For more helpful hint and tips, please contact www.HelpYourTeens.com for a free consultation. After the ordeal I went through, I created this advocacy organization to help educate parents on finding safe and quality programs.

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In today’s job market, many people are questioning whether there will be a job available for them if they continue their education and seek a graduate degree. While graduate degrees in certain industries can contribute to your ability to find employment, they are certainly not a guarantee of success. Often, the qualities that contribute to success are present regardless of your educational background, a degree will simply add to the skills and knowledge you have available.

 Advantages and Disadvantages of Earning a Graduate Degree

There are numerous advantages to earning a graduate degree. Often, a graduate degree allows you the opportunity to learn about the application of theories learned in undergraduate degree programs. For example, many MBA programs require you to create and operate a mock business, including developing a business plan, operating budget and managing employees.

Another advantage to earning an advanced degree is that graduate programs require you to learn strategic planning and how to implement those plans. Regardless of the focus of your degree, graduate programs expect a higher level of responsibility and aptitude from their students. Thus, potential employers seeking applicants with advanced degrees generally have higher expectations of those prospective employees, simply because they understand the rigors of earning a master’s degree.

Participating in a graduate degree program also provides you with the opportunity to network within your field or industry. Many advanced degree and PhD programs are taught by instructors with real world experience and you can network with fellow students to learn about potential employment opportunities as you move toward graduation.

The primary disadvantage of earning an advanced degree is the added debt you may incur. While attending school may delay the need to look for a job in a dismal job market, there is no guarantee that you will be able to find employment once you have completed your degree program. With the majority of graduate students taking on student loans to complete their studies, the debt can be an added financial burden if the job market continues its downward trend and does not improve by the time you complete your degree. Additionally, if your chosen field is not one that traditionally provides significant compensation, the time and money invested in an advanced degree may be questionable.

 Graduate Degrees in Demand

According to Forbes Magazine, success with an advance degree largely depends on what you value most: high salary or job satisfaction. Of the degrees outlined in a recent article about advanced degrees and the job market, Forbes found that the most lucrative graduate degrees were in medicine and business.

Regardless of your undergraduate degree, you can earn a master’s degree as a physician’s assistant within two years, and the process only requires a few science courses in preparation for the graduate course work. The job market for physician’s assistants has remained strong throughout the current economic downturn and is anticipated to continue to be strong in the coming decade.

If your interests are more along the lines of business, then consider earning an MBA. According to Forbes, an individual earning an MBA can expect to earn in the high five figures. Forbes also mentions that the focus of your graduate degree can have a large impact on earnings. For example, individuals with an MBA in finance earn far more than those with an MBA in accounting.

By contrast, graduate degrees that are necessary for many career paths usually do not offer high earning potential. Teachers are often required to have a master’s degree in education, but they earn far less than individuals with an MBA. The same is true for careers in social work. While these positions can be very gratifying and rewarding, the jobs forecast for employment in these fields is limited.

Ultimately success is largely determined by your own definition of what the term means for you. If you are determined to achieve your own personal definition of success, then you probably have the qualities to reach your goals, regardless of your educational background.

Bio: Brittany Lyons aspires a life in teaching, but decided to take some time off from grad school to help people learn to navigate the academic lifestyle. She currently lives in Spokane, Washington, where she spends her time reading science fiction and walking her dog.

Why?

It seems we are starting it a younger age than generations earlier!

Sex education isn’t necessarily something people like to talk about, but it’s certainly necessary. Without sex education (and often, even with), teens can get into trouble with pregnancy, abortion, STDs, and even AIDS, all of which can have a negative impact on their lives and future happiness. Awareness and education are important, but they’re not always the same. Sex education has changed considerably in recent years, with abstinence-only education, sex education for younger children, and more, so it’s worth taking a look at some new developments in the field. Read on, and we’ll discuss 20 new trends that are going on in sex education right now.

1. Mandating medically accurate sex education

   It seems like a no-brainer, but many states have recently enacted bills that would require medical accuracy in school sex education. We have to wonder what’s been put out that’s not accurate, but at least these states are working to get it right now. Typically, the educational programs are required to be in accordance with “accepted scientific methods and recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant field, such as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.”

2. Teens aren’t learning about contraception before they have sex

   Sexual activity is common by the late teen years with 7 in 10 teens engaging in intercourse by their 19th birthday. But many students who have engaged in sex report that they didn’t learn about contraceptive use before getting started. In a Guttmacher Institute fact sheet on American teens’ sources of information about sex, 46% of males and 36% of females reported that they didn’t receive formal instructions about contraception before having sex for the first time.

3. Kids are learning about sex from outside of school

   This is obvious to most, but the majority of sex education actually takes place outside of school. Kids learn about sex from porn, TV, and pop culture these days. Stars like singer Solange Knowles lend their time and image to campaigns that promote safe sex, and even death metal bands get in on the action.

4. Sex education for younger children

   Sex education can start as young as third grade, although that education doesn’t necessarily involve explicit sex explanations. For third graders in China, sex education starts in the form of a toilet tour, in which children get the opportunity to peek into the other gender’s bathroom to better understand the differences in their bodies and behaviors. Students also view presentations about sperm fertilizing eggs.

5. Many sex ed programs are abstinence-only

   According to the CDC, about 1/3 of sex education omits the use of birth control, engaging in the controversial abstinence-only sex education that has been both lauded and criticized. However, about 2/3 of teens got instruction in birth control before graduating from high school: about 62% of boys and 70% of girls. Research suggests that comprehensive sex education that includes both abstinence and birth control began to decline from 1995 to 2002 and has not changed much since then.

6. Federal funding mandates prohibit educating students about contraception

   Since 1997, the federal government has invested more than $1.5 billion into abstinence-only programs, which require schools to avoid teaching about birth control in order to receive federal funding for sex education. These programs must adhere to a strict eight-point definition of education, with the “exclusive purpose of teaching the social, psychological, and health gains to be realized by abstaining from sexual activity.” Critics point out that the eight-point definition is not created by “evidence-based, public health and social science research,” but rather, a values agenda put in place by Congress.

7. Elementary schools are passing out condoms

   Schools passing out condoms to students is not a new idea, but some schools are taking things a step further and making them available to virtually all ages. In Provincetown, Massachusetts, one school will allow students as young as first grade to get free condoms, as long as they listen to a talk about sex education beforehand. The program is a move to decrease teen pregnancy. While the superintendent recognizes that first graders and other young elementary school children probably don’t know what condoms are and won’t ask for them, parents are worried that just by having them available, students are going to get the message that it’s acceptable to have sex at such a young age.

8. Almost all sex-ed programs teach about AIDS and STDs

   Almost all students will learn about AIDS and STDs, a move that is smart for stopping the spread of disease. About 97% of teens report receiving formal sex education by the age of 18, and about 92% of boys and girls report being taught about STDs, including preventing infection with the AIDS virus. This may cut down on the spread of AIDS and STDs now and in the future among young people who are sexually active.

9. Teen males will use more condoms if they learn about them

   Although federal funding mandates abstinence-only education, research has shown that formal sex education, regardless of whether it includes information about birth control or not, leads to greater condom use among teen males. So even though teen males may not be educated about condoms, being informed about sexuality seems to increase responsibility. According to Condom Use and Consistency Among Male Adolescents in the United States, “the critical factor for male condom use and consistency is the presence of any formal instruction.”

10. Schools are testing students on health and sex education

    Washington DC public schools annually test student progress in reading and math, and now, they are testing what students know about sexuality, contraception, and drug use as well. This is a bold move in a city with some of the country’s highest rates of sexual transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies. Officials share that the test will fill gaps in what they understand about young people’s awareness and why they behave a certain way. According to Brian Pick, deputy chief of curriculum and instruction for DC Public Schools, “it paints a fuller picture.” Adam Tenner, executive director of MetroTeenAIDS, believes the new test is positive, pointing out that “what gets measured gets done.”

1. States who denied abstinence-only funding typically have teen pregnancy rates under the national average

   There is a correlation between abstinence-only education and high teen pregnancy rates. In 2005, states who did not receive federal funding for teaching abstinence-only education typically had teen pregnancy rates that were under the national average. Abortion rates also tended to be lower in those states, indicating that students with comprehensive sex education may have more favorable outcomes.

2. Masturbation isn’t really discussed

   Although abstinence is discussed as an option in virtually every sex education program, whether birth control is mentioned or not, masturbation is hit or miss. Some teachers believe that discussing personal or mutual masturbation can be beneficial to students who want to explore sexuality without the risk of STDs and pregnancy, but others believe that teaching students about masturbation, and mutual masturbation in particular, may just be a prelude to intercourse.

3. Sex education curriculum often has distorted information

   Parents and students trust sex education programs to teach accurate information, but according to Advocates for Youth, sex education curriculum often includes distorted information. A 2004 study by the House Government Reform Committee took a look at commonly used curricula and found that they contained unproven claims, subjective conclusions, and outright falsehoods, including the “facts” that “half of gay male teenagers in the US have tested positive for HIV,” “condoms fail to prevent HIV transmission as often as 31 percent of the time in heterosexual intercourse,” and “as many as 10 percent of women who have an abortion become sterile.”

4. Sex education programs with both abstinence and contraceptive education can create favorable outcomes

   Advocates for Youth points out that considerable scientific evidence supports the idea that sex education programs including both abstinence and contraception can help teens delay sexual activity, increase contraceptive use, and have fewer sexual partners when they start having sex. The group also believes that youth development programs that engage young people constructively in communities and schools are helpful. Specifically, Advocates for Youth identifies characteristics of effective curricula, including programs that last more than a few weeks, address peer pressure, and reflect the appropriate age, sexual experience, and culture of the students in the program.

5. Virginity pledges

   Some teens and young adults have begun to commit to virginity pledges, often as part of church programs. Studies have found that these pledges can delay vaginal intercourse, however, pledgers often replace it with other sexual activities including oral sex and anal sex, both of which do not reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted diseases. Some studies indicate that virginity pledges may reduce the likelihood of contraceptive use once pledgers engage in sex. The first virginity pledge program was created in 1993, by the name of True Love Waits, started at the Southern Baptist Convention, with now more than 2.5 million pledgers.

6. Teens are having less sex

   Although parents and concerned citizens worry that today’s teens are having more sex than ever, a CDC survey, Teenagers in the United States: Sexual Activity, Contraceptive Use, and Childbearing indicates that teens’ levels of sexual experience have decreased. The numbers of teens who have had sexual intercourse at least once have not changed significantly, and that number has been in overall decline over the last 20 years. As Examiner.com points out, that means today’s teens are less likely to be sexually experienced than their parents were as teens.

7. Teens don’t learn about the connection between AIDS and anal sex

   Researchers at the Bradley Hasbro Children’s Research Center discovered that anal sex is on the rise among teens and young adults. They say that girls are often persuaded to try anal sex to have sex without risking pregnancy or their virginity, but don’t understand the health consequences. Even students who can recite how you get AIDS may not understand how exactly it translates to their behavior, thinking that they can’t get AIDS because they’re not having vaginal sex. In fact, anal sex can be more risky for HIV infection, as tissue may tear and cause direct blood exposure to infected fluids. Lead author Celia Lescano remarks, “There is no doubt that teens lack information about STDs and the safety of different behaviors and they they are engaging in more sexual experimentation.”

8. Some states leave sex-ed curriculum up to local school districts

   In some states, sexual education curriculum is variable among different school districts, with differences in what is taught and how it’s presented. In Connecticut, for example, the state leaves it all up to local school districts, allowing them to decide what is taught about sex education. The state does, however, offer guidelines on what it believes should be taught, and all public school districts do offer at least basic health education for high school students, and state law requires school districts to teach about HIV. Bonnie Edmondson, a health education consultant at the Connecticut Department of Education shares, “It is a local control issue. The communities have a feel for what is best.”

9. Teens want more input from parents

   Although most teens are at an age when they are pushing their parents away on a regular basis, the fact is that they would like more input from their parents when it comes to sex education. In Baker County, Florida, teens don’t believe they’re getting adequate sex education from parents or teachers, and they shared that parents need to find better ways to discuss sex with their kids. Some teens pointed out that sex education is first and foremost the parents’ responsibility, and they need to find ways to make the topic less awkward to bring up. They also note that teens learn more about sex from their peers than their parents, and that’s not necessarily a good thing.

10. The elderly are getting sex education as well

    Schoolkids aren’t the only ones learning about sex these days. The elderly are finding value in sex education as well. In Malaysia, one state is providing sex education for the elderly to stop rising divorce rates. Family development foundation head Mohamad Shafaruddin Mustafa notes, “Many elderly couples sleep in separate bedrooms and are not intimate. This is unhealthy as they can still have vibrant intimate relationships, especially with all kinds of therapy and health supplements now available.” With sex education, elderly couples can better learn how to reconnect and enjoy their sexual relationship together.

Source:  Best Colleges Online

The college admissions process has been making students nervous for decades, and no amount of preparation or understanding can make the game of “wait and see” any less stressful for prospective students and their families. While students are unlikely to ever get a break from the stress of this aspect, the admissions system that they deal with today isn’t the same one that their parents faced a couple of decades ago. Trends, preferences, and, most importantly, technology have all changed, contributing to some major shifts in how colleges find, evaluate, and choose students to attend their institutions.

Whether you’re applying to schools now or plan to in the coming months, it’s important to know just what trends are big in admissions right now. Some may affect how and where you decide to apply. Others are just interesting to know and demonstrate some compelling trends in society as a whole. No matter which of these categories they fall into, take your time reading about these modern trends in admission — they’ll help make you savvier and smarter about the process, and those qualities can never hurt to have in spades when it comes to college decisions.

1. Admissions officials commonly check applicant’s Facebook pages

   Social media has changed more than just how we communicate and keep in touch — it’s also had an impact on how colleges evaluate prospective students for admission. More than a quarter of schools in a 2009 survey indicated that they used social networks to locate information about students, and the number is likely to grow as social networking becomes ever more ubiquitous. That means students need to be smart about what they put on sites like Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace if they don’t want it to hurt their chances of college admission.

2. Students are applying to more schools

   Tuition may be up, but applications to colleges and interest in attending college haven’t tapered off. In fact, in recent years many schools have reported record highs in the number of applications they’ve received. Part of this is due to students applying to many more schools than was common in years past. Nationally, 17.8% of students applied to eight or more colleges, up from just 7.8% a decade ago. Experts believe it could have something to do with the ease of applying through technology, or aggressive recruiting tactics from some schools.

3. Admission yields are down

   Another byproduct of students applying to more schools may be the downward trend in admission yields. Admission yields are the percentage of accepted students accepted to a given school who ultimately end up attending. Average admission yields in 2011 were about 49%. Today, they are less than 41% and could drop further.

4. Few students receive college admissions help from high school counselors and admissions officials

   Many students may be struggling with the application and admissions process because they’re simply not getting the help they need. On average, the counselor to student ratio in the U.S. is 460 to 1. That’s a lot of students for one counselor to handle, and many simply don’t have the time to devote to helping each and every student, especially with many other duties besides college counseling on their plates. Only 26% of public schools have a counselor who works exclusively on college counseling, though a surprising 73% of private schools do.

   

   5. More and more students are on wait lists

      Wait lists have been a part of the college admissions process for a long time, but not to the degree that they are today. Today, over 48% of schools use a wait list, a leap from just 39% in 2009. The number goes up even more for highly selective schools, with 63% using wait lists. Some of the most popular schools have wait lists that include 10,000 students or more, leaving many in limbo as they decide whether to wait out a decision from a top choice, or enroll with a school that accepted them from the get-go. Ultimately, only 28% of students on average will get a spot after being waitlisted.

   6. Grades are still the most important factor in college admissions

      Your high school grades matter quite a bit when it comes to applying to college. In fact, they are generally the most important factor for college admissions officers when deciding whether or not you meet a school’s standards. A survey of schools nationwide found that the most important factors are GPA in college prep courses (upper level, AP, and honors courses, generally), the strength of the curriculum at your high school, your scores on the ACT and SAT, your overall GPA, and your college essay, in that order.

   7. Demonstrated interest, however, has risen significantly in importance

      While the main factors of importance haven’t changed over the past few decades, there is a growing trend towards schools considering your interest in acceptance being a very important factor. In 2003, only 7% of schools thought it was important, but today, 22% do. With long wait lists and lower acceptance rates, students may find showing interest in a school is a way to get an edge, with all other factors being equal.

   8. Streamlined apps are becoming a hot way to market to applicants

      Many colleges and universities are launching aggressive marketing and recruitment campaigns to help bolster their application numbers. One of the ways they’re doing this is through the use of “snap apps.” These streamlined applications often don’t require a fee or an essay, which may make them good for students who are already standouts, but could hurt those who may be struggling for acceptance and need an essay or room for extra recommendations to bolster their chances.

      9. Recommendations don’t hold the weight they once did

         Once upon a time, recommendations from teachers and employers were a big factor in determining whether or not students would get into schools. These days, things have changed. Teachers and counselors are often overwhelmed with recommendation requests, and admissions officials are reporting that what they’re writing is often less specific and thoughtful and often tells admissions little about the student. As a result, only 17% of colleges now rank recommendations of “considerable importance” in the admissions process. Additionally, many schools have eliminated or greatly reduced the number of recommendations they require.

      10. Many schools no longer require the SAT or ACT for admission

          The SAT and ACT have long been rites of passage for college-bound high school students, but fewer colleges are requiring the tests than ever before. It may have something to do with research that shows that the tests do little to predict the success of students in college, instead pointing to grades and GPA as being more important. Today, there are more than 815 colleges and universities that do not require the SAT or ACT for admission, and the numbers have grown rapidly in recent years.

      11. Schools are using social media to recruit applicants

          Recruiting for colleges is increasingly being done through social media, though mailers and other more traditional methods are still popular. Schools can reach out to a large number of students in a cost-effective manner through social media, making it a popular choice. Today, students would be hard-pressed to find a school that doesn’t have a social media presence; they shouldn’t be surprised to get a friend request from a college or an admissions officer when applying to schools.

      12. Applications are more carefully audited

          Whether it’s a sad sign of the times or due to the greater number of students applying to schools, cheating and lying on applications isn’t entirely uncommon. Colleges are increasingly trying to combat this, with schools like Stanford and Harvard increasing their use of fact checking applications and plagiarism software. Students who fudge applications should be aware that there’s a pretty good chance they’ll be caught, so honesty is, as usual, the best policy.

      Source:  Best Colleges Online

The effect these rising costs have had on young adults hasn’t always been predictable, however. Here, we explain some of the more surprising ways higher tuition is affecting the way current students and recent grads work, play, and live.

1. Enrollment in two-year colleges has risen.Rising college costs haven’t necessarily driven students away from pursuing a degree, but many are chasing that goal in a new ways. Community colleges have seen a steady increase in enrollment as economic troubles and sky-high tuition fees have put traditional schools out of many students’ reach. Two-year colleges are often much cheaper and offer students more flexibility in working while they attend classes. For some, they’re a great way to get basic courses out of the way before moving on to a bigger, more prestigious school. Whatever the reason, community colleges are playing an increasingly large role in higher education, a fact highlighted by President Obama in a 2010 speech on education and an accordant $12 billion dollar program to fund two-year schools.
2. Fewer young people are able to afford to buy a home.When you’re carrying tens of thousands of dollars in school debt, saving up the money to buy a home often just isn’t a possibility. As tuition rises and students are forced to take out bigger loans to pay for school, fewer young people are able to fulfill the long-standing American dream of home ownership. Only 57% of people between 25 and 44 own a home today, a 4% decrease since 1980. While overall ownership has increased, young people are increasingly unable to purchase a home, and the current economic crisis and the income uncertainty it brings haven’t helped matters. Add to that the nearly $30,000 in debt many college grads carry and you have a recipe for an extended period of renting.
3. Fourteen percent of college grads delay marriage because of financial concerns.There is no way around it: weddings are ridiculously expensive. Slap the word “wedding” on something and the price goes up tenfold. They are so costly, in fact, that many young college grads are delaying having one until they’re older and more financially stable. Playing a big role in this choice to wait is college debt. Sixty-five percent of college students leave school with debt, with 25% owing more than $25,000. That debt means weddings often have to wait until they are paid down and money can be saved.
4. College grads are having fewer children, later in life.A recent survey found that debt, largely from college, was causing 20% of young adults to delay having children, even if they wanted them. Kids can be pricey, and college debt may mean that many young couples have to hold off on adding to their family until they can get loan debt under control. While waiting to have children may be part of a larger social change, it’s clear that college debt (and the recession to boot) hasn’t made it any easier to start a family, with the average age of having a first child at about 30 for college graduates.
5. More students are starting businesses.Can’t afford an expensive business degree? That’s OK, because you don’t actually need one to start a business. While young adults still start businesses at lower rates than other age groups, their share of entrepreneurship has been growing steadily. It’s not hard to imagine why. With tuition debt running tens of thousands of dollars and jobs scarce, young people have to make ends meet somehow. Many young grads even start businesses before they graduate, working on their degrees and a business endeavor at the same time. In a survey of 1,000 recent grads and current students, the Young Entrepreneur Council found that 36% started a business while in college and 21% started a business because of unemployment.
   6. More students than ever are applying to college.One of the most surprising realities of rising tuition? It hasn’t stopped students from applying to colleges. In fact, applications have reached near record levels at many top schools this year, with big names like Harvard and Yale receiving in excess of 30,000 applications. While college costs are high, it seems that most students still see school as a good investment and are willing to go in debt, sometimes to the tune of $100,000 or more, to get a degree they think will help them get ahead.
   7. More young people work outside of their majors.Today’s college grads often don’t have the luxury of waiting for a great job in their field to come up or taking on a wealth of unpaid internships. Loans generally start needing to be paid after graduation, and more students are feeling the pressure to get into the working world any way they can to make ends meet. With a job market that’s already tight, this often means taking on work that’s in a different field or sometimes accepting jobs that don’t even require a college degree. It’s a phenomenon that many, though not all, young adults find frustrating and can have significant impacts on their career prospects, dreams, and finances for years to come.
   8. Careers in high-demand fields are often impractical to pursue due to high costs that cannot be recouped.Why aren’t more college students choosing a degree in much-needed fields like social work, elder care and teaching? Because often they can’t make enough working in these fields to pay back the loans they got so they could work in them in the first place. Public service jobs often pay little compared to private sector jobs, making it difficult, if not impossible, to keep up on loan repayments. In fact, nearly one quarter of grads from public universities carry debt that would be unmanageable with the starting salary of a public service worker. The numbers are even higher for those who went to a private college or university.
   9. Growing numbers of grads move back in with parents after graduation.Graduated in 2011? Chances are pretty good that you or someone you know is living with parents, despite four years of relative independence. A whopping 85% of this year’s graduating class will be forced to move back home in order to help cope with student loan debt. Even more troubling is that often these moves back home are preceded by several months of unemployment, as a tough job market makes it increasingly difficult for new graduates to find work. Without a job, many must move home and get financial help from parents or guardians in order to make even minimum payments on loans.
   10. Many parents may be even more ill-prepared for retirement.Any financial planner would tell you it’s a huge mistake to take money out of a retirement account to help pay for college, but that’s just what many parents are doing these days. Unwilling to saddle their children with loads of debt, many are tapping into their own reserves to cover tuition. In 2011, four percent of parents withdrew money from their 401(k) or IRA, and another one percent took a retirement account loan to help pay for college. With many adults already woefully unprepared for the high health care and living expenses they’ll face in their older years, this increase in retirement fund spending for college could have far-reaching ramifications.
       11. College completion rates are falling.High tuition rates may not have affected how many students head to college, but they may be playing a big role in how many students drop out partway through their college education. For many young students, the costs of tuition can often become too much to bear, especially if a parent or the student himself loses a job. A study by Complete College America found that more than 40% of public college students attend part-time (one assumes so that they can work while attending school) and only a quarter of these part-time students will ever graduate. Rates aren’t so great for full-time students either, with only 60% completing their bachelor’s degree within eight years.
       12. Fewer students are heading to grad school, despite a tough economic outlook.Usually, a highly competitive job market and high unemployment drive students in droves to getting more advanced degrees. While some are heading back to school, grad school application rates are actually on the decline, and part of it may be due to high tuition. Students who already have tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt often don’t want to add to the problem by accruing more. Coupled with a poor economy, this factor is a big part of the reason that the number of students in grad school dropped for the first time this year since 2003.
       13. Research shows that college debt may actually cause a jump in self-esteem.While the results of this study have been hotly contested (if not outright mocked by others on the web), it raises some interesting questions about the unexpected positive effects of college debt. Researchers in the nationwide study found that instead of feeling stressed out about their debt, many students felt empowered, in control, and reported a boost in self-esteem. Critics of the study are careful to caution, however, that the results may simply be a reflection of the degree, not the debt, and that those with greater confidence are more likely to take out more debt to pay for school (with the belief that they’ll be able to find a high-paying job after graduation, most likely).
       14. Grads often delay medical or dental care.Once grads are no longer being cared for under college health care plans or their parents insurance, the high cost of health care has left many putting off yearly physicals, getting dental care, or taking care of nagging medical issues. With many already tens of thousands in debt for college, there is little extra money for medical care or health insurance. In facts, 27% of college grads admit to delaying a medical or dental procedure due to financial concerns. As health care costs grow at a rate almost as fast as college costs, the grads of the future could be a pretty unhealthy bunch.
       15. Fewer low-income students are going to college.High college costs seems to be driving away low income students at greater rates than those in the middle and upper income ranges. Even with a wide range of aid programs from the government and private sources that can often cover much of the costs associated with going to college, low-income students are increasingly seeing college as something out of their reach. Enrollment at four year colleges for low-income students decreased 14% between 1992 and 2004, as the average price of attendance for low-income students grew from an average of $7,570 to $10,620 in that same 12-year period. This averages about 48% of family income, which already sounds like a lot, but is even more troubling when you consider that college costs for middle income families come out to only 26% of family income. Oddly enough, low-income students are much less likely than their higher income counterparts to take on loans, which many believe may be why numbers of low-income students are dropping at an alarming rate.

       Source:  Online Universities

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