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Fear and self-loathing in the classroom
Teaching children the world is "bad and broken" undermines their confidence and curiosity.

Joanne Jacobs
Jun 12 min read
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When loneliness was a moral duty: 'My friends were untouchable, masked'
Connection leads to happiness. Covid rules isolated teens. "My friends were untouchable, unreachable, masked."

Joanne Jacobs
May 113 min read
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'Focus on me' is bad advice: Gen Z is most 'aware' of mental health, least happy
"Mental health awareness" tells healthy people to medicalize their problems, while neglecting the seriously mentally ill.

Joanne Jacobs
May 102 min read
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Transing kids is high risk -- with little evidence it helps gender dysphoria
"Gender-affirming care" -- heavy doses of cross-sex hormones -- has serious medical risks with little evidence it helps gender-dysphoric kids, says new U.S. report.

Joanne Jacobs
May 52 min read
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Ritalin or recess: Why are so many kids on ADHD meds?
Is ADHD a medical disorder best treated with drugs?

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 203 min read
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UK schools will show 'Adolescence' to warn teens about toxic 'manosphere'
British schools may show Netflix's "Adolescence" to warn students about online misogyny and "incel culture."

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 42 min read
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He, she, they, ze, tree: Don't keep secrets from parents about their own kids
Schools must tell parents if their child has requested to use a different name or pronouns at school, says the U.S. Education Department.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 292 min read
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Schools are becoming social services hubs with a little reading and math on the side
Schools are trying to solve every student's every problem, but neglecting their academic mission.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 281 min read
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Mental health programs increased emotional problems in English schools
Programs designed to improve students' mental health made things worse in the long run, reports a study in England.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 82 min read
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In a 'boy-friendly' school, boys get more time to play, socialize, choose activities
To be more "boy-friendly," a Baltimore boys' school added free play, student-run clubs and chances to socialize before classes start.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 162 min read
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How do homeschoolers turn out?
Long-term homeschoolers are less likely to earn a bachelor's degree and earn less than non-homeschoolers, but they're happier.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 101 min read
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You may have a few dings, but you're not 'broken'
Telling students they're "broken" is a bad message.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 92 min read
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Misbehavior is worse, say educators
Student misbehavior is up and motivation is down: 2024 is worse than 2023.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 101 min read
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Students need clear expectations, honest feedback
If schools can't hold students accountable, nobody's going to learn anything.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 72 min read
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'Give yourself a break' is bad advice: Do difficult things!
Young people need to believe they can do difficult things. Don't tell them they're fragile.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 62 min read
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California tells schools: Go easy on homework
A new California law urges school to set homework policies that ease stress and promote "equity."

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 31 min read
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The Mild Bunch: Teens don't like to take risks
Teenagers in 2024 are less likely to use drugs, alcohol or nicotine and many are postponing driving, work and sex.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 22, 20241 min read
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Troubled 12-year-old was 'fast-tracked' for hormones, mastectomy, charges lawsuit
A young woman is suing "gender affirming care" providers for starting her on drugs and surgery at age 12.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 15, 20242 min read
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Why teachers are stressed: Student misbehavior is #1 complaint
Student misbehavior is the "number one cause of job-related stress in teachers," reports Matt Lincoln for CBS12 in Palm Beach County,...

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 22, 20242 min read
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Teaching fragility
Students stressed by the election results can skip classes tomorrow at their elite New York City private school, reports Christopher Maag...

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 5, 20242 min read
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