Teen Pregnancy, Part Deux

Next poll!

What do you think the consequences of addressing and not addressing Teen Pregnancy are? Here's what I have so far.

• Addressing:

• Adolescents will become educated about the risks associated with engaging in unprotected sex.
• Society benefits through more controlled population growth, less expenses in the health care arena, etc
• Less babies are lost due to lack of prenatal care that is common among teens [Side note: Did you know infant mortality is especially high among African American teens? Why do you think that is]

• Not Addressing: Teen pregnancy is a major factor that is affecting our society as a whole and the consequences for not addressing this national issue are vast:

• The financial cost for teen pregnancy is astounding. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009), “preventing teen childbearing could save the United States about $9 billion per year.” 9 [Side Note: Need to find out where the costs are coming from - Medicaid? Emergency room? Adoption and Foster care? Any ideas?]
• The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy (2006) stated that "teen childbearing...in Florida cost taxpayers (federal, state and local) at least $481 million in 2004" (The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 2006, pg. 1). "Between 1991 and 2004 there have been more than 354,100 teen births in Florida, costing taxpayers a total of $8.1 billion over that period" (Ibid.).
• The social cost for teen pregnancy is enormous. According to the March of Dimes (2009), “teen mothers are more likely to drop out of high school than girls who delay childbearing, [as] only 40 percent of teenagers who have children before age 18 go on to graduate from high school, compared to 75 percent of teens from similar social and economic backgrounds who do not give birth until ages 20 or 21.”
• In accordance to the lack of education, teen parents are not offered as many opportunities and may not possess the skills and/or knowledge to find and keep a job that provides enough income to support the family. This may lead the teen parents “to become financially dependent on family or on public assistance” (March of Dimes, 2009).

What do you think the urgency behind this societal problem is? All I have for this is the ECONOMY and the emotional health of teens and their children.

What do you feel the emotional appeal is behind this societal problem? [I am really not sure what the question is trying to get at, honestly. In this country, the life expectancy is much higher so teenagers are still considered children. We don't want our children having children because they are not yet prepared emotionally, mentally, financially, etc.] What do you think?

Thanks for your input!

Teen Pregnancy

So, I'm writing a grant proposal for class (HATE IT!) and I've decided to ask for money to start a county-wide program to help with TEEN PREGNANCY!

Polling the crowd: What are causes of teen pregnancy?

Here are some responses some of my colleagues and myself came up with. What are your thoughts?

· Lack of adequate and correct information about sexual health and birth control

· Lack of parental guidance and open communication on the topic of sex and healthy sexual decision making

· Lack of adult mentors and guidance on how to properly deal with peer pressure

· Drug and alcohol use

· Sex in the media and the misogynistic nature of popular music

· Biological changes, including a surge in hormones

· Low self-confidence and drive

· Religion

· Cultural differences (i.e. cultural perception of teen pregnancy)

· Low accountability for actions

· The need to receive unconditional love from a child because they may not be receiving it themselves

One Penny More

We have to watch this PBS NOW video for Orgs & Communities. It is about the poor Immakolee Indian farmers who do NOT get Fair Trade when dealing with major food groups, like Taco Bell and stupid McDonald's. I remember participating in a demonstration for this group in my undergrad. This population is not dealt with in a fair manner, whatsoever. In 2000, a survey was conducted and it was estimated that 61% of all farm workers have incomes BELOW the poverty level! Can you imagine what their life is like in the year 2009?

In the land of opportunity, how is this possible? UGH.

This group stood up against Taco Bell for their RIGHT to fair wage, etc. But what of the many groups who don't stand up for themselves? Who don't have the knowledge, experience, courage, etc?

I'm telling you, I was meant to be on the policy side of social work!
http://www.pbs.org/now/society/ciw.html

Research dispels myths about moving off welfare

http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?id=19756

Hmmm. I've always wondered about this. My cousin was able to get off welfare but she has 4 children and certainly still has financial troubles. I think many people only live in poverty for a short term, but there are definitely many more that have chronic poverty. It's not easy to get out of either, with the way our capitalist economy is run. And of course, women are faced with cumulative oppression, and if they are a minority woman, it is even worse. The cards are stacked against them.

So what do we do? How do we fix this broken system? :(

I really love So You Think You Can Dance!

And last night, the amazing Sonya Tayeh decided to choreograph a wicked jazz routine to my favorite song from the TWILIGHT soundtrack, Eyes on Fire by Blue Foundation. Twilight, of course, is a series I am completely obssessed with. >:) So yea - good night. I loved the dance. I'm a fan of Kupono but thought he should have gone home a week or 2 ago. However, last night, he and Kayla were very good. They were so in sync and I really enjoyed their partnership. Bravo!

(the actual dancing starts at about 2:32)

Actually, last night was really good, as far as the dancing and choreography goes. SO much better than last week...

Some other favs:

WHAT A CONCEPT! Love you Nappy Tabs! :D In the words of Jeanine: "We have chains all over our apartment." hahaha!

Melissa and Ade were magical! I've seen Romeo and Juliet ballet and this was just as beautiful!

I REALLY liked Brian Friedman's weird ass alien routine. I MUST download that song too!

In case you need some perspective.

***DO NOT PROCEED IF YOU DO NOT WANT A SLAP OF REALITY***

If you start to think life isn't fair because you could not buy those stellar Christian Louboutin's that were on sale (because they still cost $585) or because you had to sit on the highway behind gramps going 40 miles an hour, read this.

"On one of the trips I took to Darfur with Samantha Power in late Spring 2004, we met a woman, Amina, cooking on the ground. She had fled her village during an attack. Her husband had been shot as soon as he left their hut. She had two of her children on her back and the other two in her arms as about Janjaweed chased her on camels. First they ripped her five year-old, Adom, from her, and when she stopped running and begged for her child, they told her they would shoot her. So she continued running away from her village that was up in flames. The Janjaweed then tossed Adom into the fire. He was screaming and calling her name, but she just kept runing. Despite her speed, her seven year-old, Asam Mohamed, was taken then and shot, once in his side and once in his back. She was never able to bury her children." - John Prendegrast, Not on our Watch, 2007, p. 80

I will admit that I have momentary lapses of the important things in life. I won't deny that I like little gadgets and video games and books and food, etc. I am an American and I am allowed these little pleasures (if I can afford them, that is - but that is an entirely different post). However, we really need to grasp reality in this country. Get our heads out of our asses and start taking notice at what is going on immediately around us, and off in the distance. We should all take part in making this world a safer, happier place.

Choose what it is you care about and DO SOMETHING. The world (and the planet, for that matter) is counting on you.

I will always remember you, Michael.

It's not every day that a celebrity's death makes me cry. In fact, I'm not sure one ever has. Not to say I don't pay respects to those who pass on, but man - I cried over this guy. I've let this stew for almost 24 hours now, and I still can't shake the fact that one of the most amazing entertainers ever to grace the earth has passed on.

Michael Jackson was an incredible entertainer, so much so, that he continues to influence the young and old, 30+ years later. He ingenuity changed the way we looked at music and dance, and opened up so many doors to new, innovative ideas. He was a whirlwind of imagination that ushered in a new era of entertainment. And with his departure, I feel that era has closed.

At 50 years old, Michael Jackson died from cardiac arrest on June 25, 2009, at age 50. Here is my tribute to you. Thank you for creating one of my favorite songs of all time - PYT. Thank you for entertaining me with your movie, Moonwalker, of which I have seen a bazillion+ times. Thank you for the Thriller video, which is still one of the coolest music videos I've ever seen (along with Aha's - Take on me. Oh! And I can't forgtet Dirty Diana. Another amazing music video). And thank you for inspiring people, such as Justin Timberlake, Adam Sevani and Chris Brown (ass that he is!), who will carry on your spirit and passion for entertaining the masses. Thank you for being such a momentous part of my childhood.

Most of all, I hope that you are now at peace. I know your childhood was not one that any of us would have liked to live. You did not deserve the abuse, and I am sorry that you suffered for it. I am sorry that you missed out on your childhood, and hope that where ever you may be, there are lots of cotton candy machines, ferris wheels and lil ponies. :)

Month One

I wish I could have hit the 5 lb mark in month one, but I fell short. I think 5 lbs a month is a healthy goal. I'm proud of the measurements though! >:)

Check out my progress: http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm57/ahoffenberg/Untitled-1copy.jpg

Alice in Wonderland

Wow. One of my favorite childhood books is really coming to life in a Tim Burton live action adaptation. I find Burton's movies deliciously wacky and I am SO happy he is doing this film. Alice IS a weird story, some even say Lewis Carroll was high as a kite when he wrote it. (I don't know anything about Lewis Carroll's life). That is besides the point. It needs to be looked at from this angle, b/c the story deserves to have this edge to it. I have much faith in the amazing-ness ii will be. And the cast. Incredible, to say the least.

Johnny Deep = The Mad Hatter
Helena Bonham Carter = the Red Queen
Anne Hathaway = The White Queen (not sure who this character is)
Michael Sheen = The White Rabbit!

See more here!

Unemployment Statistics

Does anyone realize that the percentage of unemployed people in the United States has not been this high (currently at 9.4% of total population) since 1982! During that year, it reached 10.8%!!

Man. This is getting serious. :(

Source: http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet

Weeeeeee!!

I just bought this lil beauty

and this beautiful case

I mainly got the iTouch to help me out with Productivity: Scheduling, To Do lists, etc. However, you can't deny all the fun (that I don't have time for) that it will provide!

New Moon Love

I just want to share! (And post it here so I can watch it over and over and over.)

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

The Scrap Room June Kit!!

SOOOO COLORFUL!!!

CRATE PAPER LILLIAN: 1 sheet Delight (Flower Die-cut Edged) 1 sheet Harmony (2-sided) 1 sheet Mellow (2-sided) 2 sheets Bazzill Sea Salt Cardstock (2) Lillian 12” Glitter Borders (varies) ¼ pkg. Lillian Glitter Die-cuts (13-14 pieces) (varies) BASIC GREY LIME RICKEY: 1 sheet Hoboken 1 sheet Sarsprilla 1 sheet Catawba Flip 2 sheets American Crafts Evergreen Cardstock 1 Basic Grey Lime Rickey Chip Stickers (varies) 6 Basic Grey Lime Rickey Glazed Brads (varies)

PEBBLES SO TWEET: 1 sheet Together (2-sided) 1 sheet Birdies (2-sided) 1 sheet Chirp (2-sided) 2 sheets Bazzill Bitter Chocolate Cardstock 1 sheet So Tweet Cardstock Stickers (4) Jillibean Journaling Sprouts Coffee Flavor of the Month: CHOCOLATE BLUEBERRY YUM-O!!! FANCY PANTS DELIGHT: 1 sheet Spice (2-sided) 1 sheet Bunches (2-sided) 1 sheet Strips (2-sided) 2 sheets Prism Cranberry Cardstock (6) Delight Journal Cards (varies) (4) 7Gypsies Ivory Good Photo Turns (4) American Crafts Orange Mini-Brads ½ yard Bobunny Burnt Orange Polka-Dot Ribbon

I never did share what I made with the last kit, although I can't share everything b/c some people's birthday's have not yet passed. :)

Mom's Mother's Day card

Birthday card for my sister-in-law, Amy

4 years becomes 3.

I think I've finally decided that I am going to finish my Masters in Social Work in 3 years instead of 4, by doing the last year full-time. As a part-time student, I only take 2 classes per semester (at night) which is pretty manageable (even though I have NO free time in between school work and my 2 jobs - blech).  I called the School of Social Work and got the details.  

Fall 2010:

• Psychopathology (probably the hardest class on the curriculum, from what I hear)
• Advanced Evaluation (Social Work Research, part deux - ugh)
• Concentration Course (My concentration is Children and Families, so I would take Advanced Theory and Practice with Children & Adolescents)
• 1 Elective (Child Welfare?)
• Field Seminar (the class the goes along with my 2nd Field Internship)

Spring 2010:

• Administration and Supervision
• Concentration Course
  
• Elective (Social Work Practice with Vulnerable Children & Families)
• Elective (Issues in Immigration & Social Work, Case Management or ????)
• Field Seminar (the class the goes along with my 2nd Field Internship)

Now, 5 classes a semester, plus 20 hrs/week of field work and one of my part-time jobs is TOTALLY not doable. I won't even go there. I am not superwoman nor do I choose to be. So, I asked if I could take 2 of the electives next Summer, which drop down the courses to 4/semester (and Field Seminar isn't a full-blown course), so that is really 3 serious classes a semester - not 5! 

I think (no, I PRAY) that I can handle all of the above that. It will be the most difficult 9 months of my life thus far, but it's only 9 months (with Winter break in the middle)!! I think I can do that. I think I can. I think I can...

That way, Todd and I can begin our family and I will be able to be a mother (should things work out that way) the last year of his schooling here. And should things work in my favor, I will be able to keep the job I do from home, which would work well being a new mother (although I know working period is going to be tough, esp. when your spouse is doing his clinical rounds full-time and then some).

---

In other news, Todd and I joined Weight Watchers this morning. I've come to a point in my life that I need structure and support, as my will-power has hit the fan. I've put back on the 20 pounds I lost before the wedding (big surprise!) and I'm just sick of not liking what I see when I look in the mirror. I need to get off here and get to work, so I won't bore you with the details. Wish us luck!

Rob Pattinson has beefed up!

And I am in awe. I love his pale, skinny body. And he has put on just the right amount of bulk. I hate big, beefy, hulking men, honestly. :) They have filmed one of the best scenes in the ENTIRE Twilight Saga, and I am SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited by the passion in these pictures. Honestly, anything will be better than the first movie (although I still love it in all its silly, poor production, cheesy music, ridiculous special effect glory!!)

Please, PLEASE let him say the line: "Amazing. Carlisle was right." Of course, this will only make sense if they talk about Carlisle believing that vamps have a soul and go to Heaven, which was not discussed in the first movie, so who knows if it will be discussed in this one since Edward obviously leaves at the beginning of the movie. Booooo....






Source: Pop Sugar