It's A Fact: Teens Need Their Parents

by Rachel Stockman

Washington, D.C. - May 2

The East Room at the White House was full to its capacity as President Clinton and First Lady Hilary Rodham Clinton hosted the first ever conference on 'Raising Responsible and Resourceful Teens.' Attend-ed by members of the President's Cabinet, celeb-rities, such as Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Andrew Shue, policy makers, experts representing many fields that impact a teenÕs life, and teenagers, this conference was intended to highlight the challenges that confront today's teenagers and prescribe solutions to overcoming the problems they face.

By almost all measures, teenagers across the country are doing well. Most teens, most of the time, make choices that protect them from harm. Teenagers today are living much happier, prosperous and healthier lives than ever before. School based volunteerism and community service has increased, which has resulted in an improvement in academics.

In contrast, however, growing up today has never been more difficult. Teen violence, school shootings, alcohol, drugs, teen preg-nancy, and more can alter the course of a teens' life within seconds. Additionally, teens are fed a steady diet of media. This "meal" plays an important role in the development of a teen's persona.

Nationally representative data indicates that virtually all U.S. teens aged 14-18 live in a household with a TV, VCR, radio and CD player. We, as teens are being raised by media that offers a profusion of negative images: unprotected sex, drug use, and violence. There is no proof that these