adolescent

Gambling: it’s all in the genes

50% of pathological gamblers in Australia are women 20% more Australians gamble than Americans A recent study published in the June issue of the Archives of General Psychiatry has found that genes do indeed play a part in addictive behaviours. This is at least so in the case of gambling. Wendy Slutske, co-author of the [...]

Cyber-Bullying: how to protect your child

Today mobile phones and the internet provide an easy and often anonymous way for kids and teenagers to bully and intimidate each other. The main mode of attack is by circulating hurtful comments, embarrassing photos or video. The virtual world of the internet, SMS, email, instant messaging and chat rooms have replaced the playground and [...]

Anonymous Cyber Bullying on the rise

The emergence of a new website based in America, but very popular with Australian teenagers, is causing great concern among Cyber safety experts. The site FormSpring.Me allows people to leave anonymous messages about other people. Since its inception last November it has gained a following of 12 million members worldwide. Users create accounts which can [...]

Teenager set alight, but parents still believe underage drinking is OK

50% of parents say 15 year olds should be allowed alcohol at home 20% of teenagers drink on a weekly basis 1 Australian teenager a week dies of alcohol abuse* The dilemma of whether or not to let underage teenagers drink at private parties is one that many parents have faced. The majority seem to [...]

Girls are turning to violence

Violence between girls up by 70% 154 cases of girls violence in schools last year School yard fights have always frequented the playground; however the increase in girl fights and the degree of violence between girls is now concerning many experts. The recent incident at Wadalba Community College on the Central Coast, NSW of a [...]

Young people ignoring safe sex advice

1,000 new HIV cases in Australia every year Chlamydia cases rise to 60,000 between 2004 and 2008 Young people aged between 20 and 29 at highest risk The sharp increase in sexually transmitted diseases signals the potential of a new wave of HIV cases. Many young people today cannot remember the shocking Grim Reaper ads [...]

The power of a mother’s love

It is a well known ‘old wives tale’ that a mother’s love can protect a child from illness. Her love creates a protective bond around a newborn baby that shields them from harm as they grow. Now new research conducted by scientists from the University of British Columbia, Canada shows that indeed children who have [...]

2010 World No Tobacco Day

87% of females prefer to date non smoking partners 80% of smokers don’t believe cigarettes damage the skin* Monday 31st May is ‘world no tobacco day’. This year, the World Health Organisation (WHO) is using World No Tobacco Day to emphasize the negative aspects of smoking; particularly for women. In Melbourne, The Royal Dental Hospital [...]

Is “female genital cutting” child abuse?

140 million women and children worldwide have suffered female genital cutting* By 1997 the whole of Australia had outlawed female circumcision making it illegal to perform "any medical or surgical procedure or mutilation of the vagina or clitoris of any person" for reasons of "culture, religion, custom or practice". However with the growing number of [...]

Families who eat together, stay together

The great tradition of a sit down family meal is important on many levels; it is a time to share, eat good food, enjoy each other’s company,  swap the day’s highs and lows and most importantly a time for the family to bond in a relaxed atmosphere. This idealistic picture of a family meal is [...]

Go to Top