This page contains links to various websites that you might find helpful, informative, enjoyable or just interesting. [I haven't finished transferring the links from my computer to the website so some categories are incomplete or empty until I cycle around to them.]
(Remember, this list is not comprehensive and the presence of sites on this list does not constitute endorsement for or support of any of the information provided on these sites.)
Alcohol and Drugs-General Info
College Prep, College Search, Applications
Dating and Relationships-General
Dating and Relationships-Dating Violence
Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered, Intersex, Questioning
Learning and Learning Difficulties
Manhood and Masculinity Issues
Music Venues for Teens in Nashville
Parents and How to Deal with Them
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Sex & Sexuality-Educating Yourself
Sex & Sexuality-Sexually Transmitted Infections
Stats on Teens (find out where you stand)
Womanhood and Femininity Issues
Here is a collection of real life heroes and role models that will
Restore Your Faith in Humanity
Get out the tissues and watch this
Everyday heroes are the best. It’s the little things
http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/news-national/20121129/US.NYPD.Act.of.Kindness/
Here’s a place to find heroes of every sort, especially kids
http://www.myhero.com/go/home.asp
But what if you only had one leg . . .
http://deadspin.com/the-one-legged-wrestler-who-conquered-his-sport-then-l-452888181
Medal of Honor honoree Dakota Meyer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5AmTYnd4KA&NR=1&feature=endscreen
FML: Your everyday life stories
Don’t you dare whine about anything ever again unless you have been taken hostage!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8r1CZTLk-Gk
Have you told your mom (or your dad) you love them lately?
Jobs and Employment (Be sure to check out the Career links above)
Here are some jobs you might not know about that pay a lot
http://career-advice.comcast.monster.com/salary-benefits/salary-information/nontraditional-jobs-that-pay-100k/article.aspx?WT.mc_n=comcast800
Here are some jobs that are always in demand
http://career-advice.comcast.monster.com/job-search/company-industry-research/hardest-job-openings-to-fill-2011/article.aspx?WT.mc_n=comcast800
Here are some ideas for different kinds of jobs
http://discoveryourskills.com/
And, getting a college degree makes a difference in getting a job when times are tough
http://www9.georgetown.edu/grad/gppi/hpi/cew/pdfs/CollegeAdvantage.ExecutiveSummary.081512.pdf
Sometimes leaders can end up being kinda crazy. It’s the followers that seem to make the difference.
http://www.break.com/index/weirdo-kid-starts-huge-dance-party.html
Learning and Learning Difficulties
This is a great summary of what an IEP is, written for teens
http://nichcy.org/wp-content/uploads/docs/st1.pdf
Letters of Note is an attempt to gather and sort fascinating letters, postcards, telegrams, faxes, and memos.
http://www.lettersofnote.com/
This is a site that will make you THINK. It is a critical analysis of lots of different topics. It can be dense, but if you are going to take a position on something, get ALL the facts (not just the ones that support what you want to believe)
http://www.mercatornet.com/
WHAT DO PHILOSOPHERS BELIEVE? | More Intelligent Life
OK, this brilliant woman had a stroke. She happened to be a neuroanatomist.
TED | Talks | Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight (video)
And, by the way, the TED talks are brilliant! Go searching for interesting topics. You’ll certainly find it.
http://www.ted.com/talks
Want a sophisticated analysis of the issues related to intellectual copyright and the internet (rather than you just saying “Man, it should be my right to download anything I want!”), try this
The Play Ethic
This is pretty high order but you can look around, especially at the resources and brain teasers
Brain Fitness and Cognitive Health Authority: Market Research and Advisory Services | SharpBrains
It Figures – Figures of Speech
5 Things TV Writers Apparently Believe About Smart People | Cracked.com
Why thinking in the shower may be an ideal model for “creative pause” ~ Authentic Boredom
Beware of Reactionary Workflow :: Tips :: The 99 Percent
YouTube – Stop and Hear the Music
‘The Compass Of Pleasure’: Why Some Things Feel So Good : NPR
OK, we are diving deep. There is a relatively new area of philosophy called experimental philosophy. One thing they are looking at is what makes someone have relative moral values (“Is it right or wrong?” “It depends.”) as opposed to absolute moral values (“That’s just wrong!”).
Here’s a test to see where you stand
Here’s an article by one of the main guys. Get ready to read it a couple of times and then you’ll probably have to read some other stuff. S-T-R-E-T-C-H
Stories of adventures and life changing experiences by everyday scientists. GREAT stories.
This is a logic problem that is reputed to be one of the most difficult in the world. Try your hand (mind?) at it.
http://gizmodo.com/5971702/the-hardest-logic-puzzle-ever-and-how-to-solve-it?popular=true
Beautiful explication of what really (should) matter and how your expectations and attributions get in the way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmpYnxlEh0c
YouTube – Tim McGraw-Grown Men Don’t Cry (With Lyrics)
The Great Male Survey 2010 Edition – AskMen.com
The Art of Manliness | Men’s Interests and Lifestyle
‘Pre-Adulthood’ Separates The Men From The Boys : NPR
Why omega males are cropping up in TV and movies like Greenberg. – By Jessica Grose – Slate Magazine
And here is a magazine that focuses on what adult men REALLY think about and struggle with (sexual intimacy rather than sexual conquest, everyday challenges rather than extreme sports, emotional and family life rather than bar hopping).
Ms. Kilbourne has some important and sobering things to say about advertising and its effects on kids. Lots of good stuff here on a range of topics
http://jeankilbourne.com/?page_id=53
An insightful analyst of media influences
http://www.shapingyouth.org/
6 Studies That Prove Reality TV Is Causing the Apocalypse | Cracked.com
6 Shocking Ways TV Rewires Your Brain | Cracked.com
WebMD: Better Information. Better Health.
familydoctor.org – Health Information for the Whole Family
girlshealth.gov — Health Information for Girls!
KidsHealth – the Web’s most visited site about children’s health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Drugs.com | Prescription Drugs – Information, Interactions & Side Effects
Sites for Guys
http://www.youngmenshealthsite.org/
mental illness, mental health information center
NIMH: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Home Page
Psych Central . Trusted information in mental health and psychology
Nine Money Books for Children – SavingAdvice.com Blog
OK, this is an article on how just holding money has an effect on you.
127771.pdf (application/pdf Object)
Talking money with teens | Marketplace From American Public Media
Living Wage Calculator – Living Wage Calculation for Williamson County, Tennessee
THIS is a quiet, powerful moment that happened to Dave Alvin, an early punk music cult figure in Los Angeles. This is how you recognize what is really important and get back after what really matters to you.
http://www.studio360.org/2012/may/25/aha-moment-dave-alvin/
Sometimes, motivational speeches just aren’t enough.
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/5891781/motivational-cat-speech
Here you go! The inspiration you were looking for!
http://www.collegehumor.com/video/3797331/40-inspirational-speeches-in-2-minutes
It’s like disappointing your mother (only she has really long, really skinny legs and a HUGE nose, and she can fly)!
Monster.com | “Stork” reaching your potential
Here’s a test to see how capable you are when it comes to motivating yourself
http://mymotivationskills.com
He’s talking about learning to ride a bicycle but his message is universal!
http://www.break.com/index/kid-gives-speech-after-learning-to-ride-a-bike-2065802
You can do it.
http://www.break.com/index/need-some-motivation-right-here-2438788
Music Venues for Teens in Nashville
Rocketown Nashville is the well established place for teen concert going. They also have an indoor skatepark. Known for their attempts to have a trustworthy place for kids to rock out while also making it teen friendly.
Mercy Lounge / Cannery Ballroom
The upscale clothing and guitar store in the Gulch (right outside downtown Nashville) has held an open mike night for 17 and under on Sunday nights. Might be worth checking out to test your chops. The notice was in the store but I didn’t see it on their website.
http://twooldhippies.com/visit-nashville
This is a government site that gives you a lot of information from sources across the government agencies.
http://www.nutrition.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=11&tax_level=3&tax_subject=395&topic_id=1688&level3_id=6570&level4_id=0&level5_id=0&placement_default=0
And this is from the USDA
http://fnic.nal.usda.gov/nal_display/index.php?info_center=4&tax_level=3&tax_subject=358&topic_id=1612&level3_id=5951&level4_id=0&level5_id=0&placement_default=0
Or, if you want to be a vegetarian
http://www.vegetarianteen.com/
This site is for the thinking teen who wants to know about nutrition
http://library.thinkquest.org/10991/index.html
Lots of info here (it is a website for teenage girls but the information is really good for guys too)
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/wellness101.html
And, finally, an excellent site about nutrition for athletes
http://www.psal.org/psalsports/articles/psal_stories.aspx?storyid=7178&menu=links
This is a good site for resources and materials dealing with OCD
Relief from OCD: A Guide for People with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
This is the premier site for OCD: The OCFoundation.org. This is the teen page
Help for Teens and Young Adults with OCD
An Obsessive Compulsive’s ‘Life In Rewind’ : NPR
Here is a new site that has some good resources
http://www.peaceofmind.com/
OK, do NOT look at this if you have contamination OCD issues!
6 Items You Touch Everyday That Are Filthier Than a Toilet | Cracked.com
Parents and How to Deal with Them
Alright you inconsiderate twit. THIS is how to be a good kid.
http://www.npr.org/2013/02/08/171382156/a-life-defined-not-by-disability-but-love
Count Your Blessings – Health and Happiness – TIME
Home – GivesMeHope – Like FML, but for optimists!
MyLifeIsAverage – Life Is Normal Today
GRATEFULNESS.ORG – A Network for Grateful Living
Gratitude Challenge: Sharing Our Inspiration Journal
Guard against well-informed futility, nurture Intelligent Optimism
Optimism is not for the faint of heart (or the untrained professional)
Watch Motivational Speaker Board Break Fail Video | Break.com
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
It is probably better if, after you look over some of this, you talk to a mental health professional who knows something about PTSD. Other things can look like it and it is very difficult to just take care of it yourself.
http://www.apa.org/research/action/ptsd.aspx
This is made for parents but it will give you an good idea about what it is and what can be done to help you if you have it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yq_JsMTypI
Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
If you are going to keep the child, it isn’t all pain and recrimination
Too much too young: five teenage couples speak out | Life and style | The Observer
This has some segments on teen pregnancy, all the dimensions
9INE: A realistic look at teen pregnancy
You will need to start thinking about this if you are a guy who is about to have a child
http://www.fatherhood.org/
Just how forgiving a person are you? Here’s one way to find out.
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/2/
How mindful are you of your current state of calm?
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/4/
Want to know what your implicit (unconscious) biases are?
https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/
And, how about how much grit (i.e., determination) do you have? It predicts success you know.
https://sasupenn.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_06f6QSOS2pZW9qR
Are you compassionate? Want to find out?
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/10?utm_source=GG+Newsletter+-+January+2013+%232&utm_campaign=GG+Newsletter+-+January+2013+%232&utm_medium=email
How about whether you are a compassionate lover?
http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/quizzes/take_quiz/9?utm_source=GG+Newsletter+-+Valentine%27s+Day+2013&utm_campaign=GG+Newsletter+-+February+2013+%232&utm_medium=email
Rape and Sexual Assault
Get Info | RAINN | Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
Oh, you’ll love this site. Idealistic, unrealistic and just plain wrongheaded kids trying to make arguments for kids rights (to vote, drink, not have curfews). What’s not to love; if you’re under 21 years old.
http://www.youthrights.org/
Brief guide to the rights of minors (under age 18) in Tennessee
http://www.state.tn.us/tccy/om-rr-08.pdf
If you get stopped by the police and they want to search your vehicle, think about these issues first.
http://www.tennesseecriminalattorneyblog.com/2007/06/bonnaroo_2007_1.html
(and this does not mean that I support kids just trying to get away with things. It is one thing for your parents to make your life miserable for doing drugs or drinking or messing up, it is another when the juvenile court system gets involved.)
And, finally, while it is difficult to acquire in Tennessee, here is some information about becoming an emancipated minor.
http://www.tennlegalaid.com/Library/Documents/1196697113.02/Emancipation.pdf
Are You a Risk Taker? | Psychology Today
http://selfmutilatorsanonymous.org/
Guttmacher Institute collects stats on sexual and reproductive health. This is on teens.
http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/FB-ATSRH.html
Sex and Sexuality-Educating Yourself
An online resource developed by the California Family Health Council, is to improve the health and well being of young people in CA by providing non-judgmental, accurate, and reliable sexual and reproductive health information and resources.
http://teensource.org/pages/
Sexuality and Relationship info you can trust from Planned Parenthood® — teenwire.com
Baby Cost Calculator | Tools | BabyCenter
Scarleteen | Sex Education For The Real World
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/may-8-2009/hooking-up/2896/
http://www.stayteen.org/how-do-you-stay-teen
Here is MTV’s site
http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/
Sex & Sexuality-Sexually Transmitted Infections
Planned Parenthood, Take Care Down There
HIFY: Health Initiatives for Youth
PAY ATTENTION! This is a recent report on the occurrence of an antibiotic resistant gonorrhea. If you get it, there is nothing they can do about it if the ONE antibiotic left that works happens to not work (and it will soon be resistant to that antibiotic).
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/08/here-it-comes-super-gonorrhea/260937/
Caring for Your Introvert – Magazine – The Atlantic
Introverts: strength in (a lack of) numbers | Blog | Ode Magazine
This is a series on the young Menace skateboarders who were the subject of some documentary work when they were teens. It is showing where they have ended up. It is worth thinking about. (Note: there is some crude language on this and references to drugs and other kinds of sinful behavior.)
http://www.vice.com/epicly-later-d/menace-part-1
http://www.vice.com/epicly-later-d/ricky-oyola-1
OK, you can continue to follow the series from here. They are linked at the bottom of each segment.
Skateparks: Come on. If you have a skateboard then you have talked to some else who has a skateboard and they know all the places in our area. OK, Rocketown, in Nashville of course; Brentwood YMCA has a respectable park (here’s a review). There is one at Jim Warren Park in Franklin. Then there is the Nashville Skate Park off Briley Parkway close to Opry Mills. WEAR A HELMET!
Healthy Sleep from the National Institutes of Health and the National Heart Blood and Lung Institute
Here is more technical information about what goes on during sleep
healthy_sleep.pdf Guide to healthy sleep
healthy_sleep.pdf (application/pdf Object)
World’s Biggest, Most Annoying Alarm Clock Video
CoolPeopleCare | Saving the World, Five Minutes at a Time | Information, Inspiration & Local Events
How do I make a difference? — Social Edge
Be the Change. | HandsOn Network
Adbusters Culturejammer Headquarters | Journal of the mental environment
Columns | Never Get A “Real” Job
Welcome to the Giraffe Heroes Project
Here’s a collection of documentaries and short films on ecological issues about everything from food to the death of the honey bee. The 11 most inspiring eco movies available online from Ode Magazine.
Stats on Teens (Find out where you fit)
This is one of the premier sources of statistics on teens and risk behavior, including alcohol and drug use.
http://monitoringthefuture.org/
YRBSS – Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System – DASH/HealthyYouth
Guttmacher Institute: Adolescents
Teen Survey: What’s the Responsible Age for Smoking, Drinking, Sex?
National Survey of Student Engagement
Tennessee’s Adolescent and Young Adult Health Program
Mentally.pdf (application/pdf Object)
http://mystressmanagementskills.com
OK, this has some dicey language in it but I think you will find it useful.
What’s going on? Are you looking at this section because of casual interest? Do you have a friend in trouble? Or is it you? If it’s you I’m glad you are starting here. Read through these sites. Then, go right now and find someone to talk to. An adult. Someone you trust. Tell them what’s going on. If it isn’t a counselor, then y’all go and find a counselor you are comfortable talking to. They can help. Seriously. It isn’t that bad. Part of the problem is when YOU look at it all you see is dark and despair. There’s more. Talk to someone. Now. (And, take care of yourself.)
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/default.aspx
To Write Love on Her Arms > Home
And read this:
http://www.livingissobig.com/modules.php?name=Top
And look at this
http://www.tnyouthconnections.net/resources/supportgroups.html
Find an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting schedule for middle Tennessee here by entering your zip or city and them put in teens or yp (young people)
http://www.aanashville.org/cgi-bin/meetingdb/mtgsearch.cgi
Or for eating disorders
http://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/treatment-support-groups.html#tn
Oh, how could texting influence me . . . WAKE UP AND SMELL THE 263333
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/02/110216123539.htm
Texting while driving?
http://www.break.com/index/impossible-texting-while-driving-test-2322439
Don’t completely believe you really know what’s going on
Most People Are Not Observant Video
If you can’t be vulnerable you can’t be fully alive
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/15/brene-brown-vulnerability_n_1150976.html?ref=email_share
Too much self-esteem will hold you back!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-20756247
Meditation is good for EVERYTHING
http://io9.com/how-meditation-changes-your-brain-and-makes-you-feel-b-470030863
Tobacco Facts – Spit and Chew Tobacco
Anti smoking site from Ontario
Tourette Syndrome Association TSA Home Page
Tourette Syndrome Plus – Home Page
Welcome to the Trichotillomania Learning Center
Video game reviews
http://www.ign.com/
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/game-reviews
http://www.esrb.org/about/news/downloads/ESRB_PTA_Brochure-web_version.pdf
How video game developers hook kids on the games
http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/games_egomaniacs_play/
Want to know the arguments for and against?
Against: http://www.apa.org/science/about/psa/2003/10/anderson.aspx
For: http://www.pbs.org/kcts/videogamerevolution/impact/myths.html
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/769/769093p1.html
Try these arguments on your parents for why playing video games is important for your development (watch out, there are cuss words in this link!)
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-real-skills-video-games-have-secretly-been-teaching-us/
The National Center for Victims of Crime has a youth initiative that provides a number of bulletins for dealing with various kinds of violence against teenagers: Assault, Bullying, Harassment, Robbery, Stalking as well as info for friends and parents of someone who is a victim of a crime. Check out this site
Here is a link to a BMI calculator that gives you info compared to countries all over the world
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
This is a great video of a guy who went from obese to healthy. It is HARD but it can be done.
YouTube – My 120 pound journey.
If you are trying to lose weight (or think you know why other people don’t lose weight), read this.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/01/magazine/tara-parker-pope-fat-trap.html?_r=1&pagewanted=all
Womanhood and Femininity Issues
This is a very technical report on the sexualization of girls in our culture. It affects you. It is worth wading through.
http://www.apa.org/pi/women/programs/girls/report.aspx
The Respect Institute is dedicated to helping kids learn about, give and require respect
http://www.respectrx.com/
Here is a site to get health information geared toward young women
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/
You should know the 100 women who changed the world!
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/news/a-century-of-distinction-100-women-who-changed-the-world-1917427.html?utm_source=Ode+Newsletters&utm_campaign=5b46199c55-good-news-weekly-rss&utm_medium=email
This is a great magazine for younger teen girls. Lots of good stuff.l
https://www.newmoon.com/
Would you like to know how women are presented in mainstream movies? Here is a really cool test (that is quite an eye opener). How many movies have 1) at least 2 women who 2) talk to each other about 3) something other than an man?
http://www.boingboing.net/2010/07/22/the-bechdel-test-for.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+boingboing%2FiBag+%28Boing+Boing%29&utm_content=LiveJournal&utm_source=Ode+Newsletters&utm_campaign=e0ce7957e8-good-news-weekly-rss&utm_medium=email
Here is part of the description of the host of this website “Anita Sarkeesian is a feminist pop culture media critic who produces an ongoing web series of video commentaries from a feminist/fangirl perspective.” She has an agenda but even if you don’t agree, she has things worth thinking about.
http://www.feministfrequency.com/
Jean Kilbourne has lots to say to and about girls and women. You need to know about her and the things she reveals about the ways our culture shapes how women are viewed
http://jeankilbourne.com/
Girls Incorporated is a nonprofit organization that inspires all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. nuff said.
http://www.girlsinc.org/resources/fact-sheets.html
Remember Barbie’s Dream Home? In the real world . . .
http://imgur.com/gallery/dkYiZ
Being a woman professional can still be marked by sexist and dismissive remarks. Here is a site that collects remarks made to female journalists. Some people still don’t get it.
http://saidtoladyjournos.tumblr.com/
How do you see yourself?
http://realbeautysketches.dove.us/