Peter Slattery

Sex education needed…and it works

Peter — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 22:04:25 +0000

These comments from the NSW Commission for Children and young people

“In line with international trends, there has been a fall in the age of onset of first sexual activity in Australia, exposing young people to a higher risk of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections,” Ms Mitchell said.

The data, released today in the Commission’s online databook, A picture of NSW children, shows that in NSW in 2008, 32% of Year 10 students (average age 15 to 16) reported having had sex, with only 63% reporting that they used a condom the last time they had sex.

“We know that properly targeted public health messages and sex education in schools can be effective. Just look at the results of measures to reduce smoking and alcohol consumption among children,” Ms Mitchell said.

“Since 1984, the proportion of children aged 12 to 17 years who smoke has fallen from 27% to 9%. The proportion who reported having drunk alcohol in the last 12 months also fell, from 72% to 56%.”

Find out more: NSW Commission for Children and Young People

Internet, schools and silliness

Peter — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 07:29:54 +0000

This article from Wes Fryer who constantly writes about the foolish ways in which schools block students from internet access. Usually in the name of either rules and regulations or some comment about protecting children. Both of these things are important, but need to be based on common sense, reason, truth and a sense of living in the year 2012. As Wes points out in his open letter, all the reasons given him about why access is blocked are actually factually incorrect. This all matters. The net is here. So are our children. We need to find ways to navigate this new landscape.

Gay and lesbian welcome?!?

Peter — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:38:48 +0000

This issue never goes away and it really can’t get enough airplay, general support and attention. Gay and lesbian young people being harrassed. This particular article has come via Richard Lenn again. Ta Richard. Keep em coming.

‘Bullying’s Cost: Teens facing harassment can’t wait till they grow up’

In Sydney, things are better than they were 20 years ago. Gay & lesbian young people (and all that sail in or close to these titles) are more welcome, have more places, each other, a culture, support, and more…and this is warming and encouraging. And yet harrassment continues and it is good to keep on making the less usual more usual, and those closer to the edge, much more welcome in the middle.

Digital generation

Peter — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 06:14:33 +0000

So much talk about the digital age and what it means for children/young people…and we don’t really yet know the impact do we? Gotta wait a few years to find out. But here again is something to look at, and again thanks to to Richard Lenn for this link. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16475278
I would like to hear some solid advice/comment/direction for parents in relation to this topic. I know it’s tricky but I keep hearing things like: set boundaries, set limits, don’t deny use but monitor. It sounds good, but I would like to know just what ‘Setting boundaries’ means coz it covers a lot of territory and is going to vary I suspect from family to family. Years ago when smaller screens had less of a presence and TV was god, I heard a speaker say:

‘If you do just one thing, do this: make sure there is NO TV in the kids’ bedrooms.’

Agree or disagree, it was a least a clear and do-able action. It would be nice to hear some more of these.

2012…here we go…possibly again

Peter — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 11:56:37 +0000

Is the new year for you…good? Bad? Something else? Is the new year? Looking better than/same as/worse than…last year? Terrible things continue to happen but so, quite amazingly at times, and against – it would seem – all odds…hang on…lost the sentence here…trying to say: despite the crap, good things do happen. And I have slowed down my blogging, (is that good/bad/whatever…?) Coz I am trying to work out the best way of keeping in touch and being in touch with all…and who…really matters in what we do. Whether I am eatintg pizza today might interest me, but I can’t imagine why anyone (except our local pizza guy) should want to know about that…bookface and twitter not withstanding. So…I am intrigued by the beaut NEWSLETTERS others are putting out, and so shall explore ways to bring these via this website. I will be useful and they will be pleased, and our time will be well spent. Starting now! Here are two via Richard Lenn:

Has Australia been good to kids?

Why Parents Help Tweens Violate Facebook’s 13+ Rule

It’s christmas again…

Peter — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 23:51:01 +0000

Easy to be cynical this time of year. There is plenty of stuff about to invite that in us. And yet I’m still looking forward to it. People I care about, sitting about and mucking about…kids…all that stuff…and coz its OZ there is a chance of beach…and of course, there is always these guys.

Feliz Navidad | Playing For Change from Playing For Change on Vimeo.

Australian & New Zealand Adolescent Health Conference

Peter — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:15:46 +0000

I was recently at the 8th Australian and New Zealand Adolescent Health Conference, and my task there was to work with the youth delegates and other young people who attended, to assist them in putting together the closing address for the conference. What a great gig! And they were tremendous…I said hello and goodbye in 30 seconds at the beginning and they did the rest. And totally nailed it!

Some young people were unable to be there and so I used my fone and animoto to get their comments on record to play to the delegates. And that is what you will see here: young people telling us what they want from those of us who, in all the variations possible, work with young people. The stand out comment from young people? In short:

‘Listen to what we have to say! Include us in the things that effect our lives!’

‘Indigenous hip-hop Project’ doing it for young people

Peter — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 06:34:05 +0000

This group is totally onto it for a number of reasons…they are great dancers. Check out the moves particuraly about two thirds the way through this vid.

I went to a workshop these guys did, and: It was interactive. I got to do hip-hop and generally have a good time. Best sort of workshop really. I experienced the way they work with young people, rather than being told about it, so I know and feel what they do. And this is what I took away from their workshop. They are inclusive, noticing and responding to all around them; they encourage playfully, energetically and humorously risk-taking…having a go….inviting young people, by their actions, to step up and do stuff they don’t usually do. I heard and saw in action the principles they operate on…I took away these ideas: Move quickly and don’t allow fear to build. As you proceed just ‘grab’ a young person and sweep them along with you ,..again so the anxiety of performance does not build. Blend traditional and modern…crocodile dance done hip-hop fashion. Notice who is jumping in and who is hanging back and (the dancers in this case) locate themselves next to those who might need a hand. Specifically notice anyone who might be on the outa and just bring them in quietly with the above methods. Fun and movement, principles/learning built into the action, and bravery and fun in equal and large amounts. Probly missed some stuff and misquoted others…but all very very good. Check out more about this sort of action…

The words we use

Peter — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 05:54:45 +0000

In a lot of the training I do about working with young I spend time on communication…the language we use when we speak; the words we choose, the intention behind those words. And it is all really obvious stuff: decide what it is that you are trying to do, choose words that will get that result, think about what ideas you would like to have in the other person’s mind, say what you would like to have happen rather than what you don’t want to have happen, speak in the positive rather than the negative. The simplest example would be something like, if someone is coming home late or coming to class late, then we ask do NOT ask them to ‘stop turning up late!’ We ask them to turn up on time. And better yet, we give them the time we want them to turn up at. You really don’t want the word ‘late’ in the person’s mind. We want the idea of ’turn up on time’ to be front and centre. Not hard is it; not rocket science. And yet all of us seem to constantly be defeated by frustration, anger, hurt or whatever other emotions are prevailing at the time. But this is momentary, and hopefully we get a second chance to get it right. So it amazes me that journalists, who get a chance to think about what they are writing and the words they are choosing, and the impact they want to have, are presently enjoying adding to the hysteria around economies across the globe. An exception being the sensible and responsible Ross Gittens in the Sydney Morning Herald of 28th september who has this to say of global economic matters:

‘In truth, the main thing we are doing is putting the wind up ourselves long before its is possible to know what will happen and how seriously it will affect us in Australia.

My guess is, what will hurt us most is our fear of the possibilities, not the ultimate events.

The trouble with moods and feelings is their ability to influence hard economic facts.’

As it is when speaking with young people, journalists would do well to listen to Ross Gittens and decide just what it is they would like to have happen, THEN choose words to make that come true. And hopefully what it is they want to have happen is something good for all of us.

Young people doing good stuff

Peter — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 00:44:38 +0000

I haven’t been in touch with Mal Fruen and others for a while, and so it’s great to see this.