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bullying In the teen years, who takes the abuse? A generation ago, when the parents of today's teens were kids, bullying tended to be something that adults left to kids to work out for themselves. After all, it was generally considered that victims of bullying could do no worse in their schoolyards than fight back with their fists. But today, those same schoolyards seem more dangerous. According to the most recent Gallup Youth Survey of teens ages 13 to 17, bullying is quite widespread. More than a third (37%) of teens admit that they are sometimes teased or picked on at school, and boys are slightly more likely than girls to say this happens to them. Not all fights at school take place between bullies and their victims, though in past surveys teens have offered "standing up for oneself" as a top reason why they get into fights. Regardless of the reason, nearly a quarter (24%) of teens said they have been in a physical fight in the past year. And fighting is not reserved solely for boys: While 30% of boys admit to fighting in the past year, nearly one in five girls (18%) also said they had been in a physical fight. Stan Davis, a social worker and author of the book, "Schools Where Everyone Belongs: Practical Strategies for Reducing Bullying," is not surprised by the seemingly high number of teens who admit to fighting. In Davis' opinion, "Kids are increasingly being presented (with) a media culture in which physical responses to frustration are the role of heroes, and most kids get little education in any other methods of resolving conflicts." - By Gallup Poll Contributing Editor Heather Mason. The Gallup Youth Survey was completed by 517 respondents, ages 13 to 17, last August. Sampling error is ±5 percentage points. ...and bullying among preteens A new KidsHealth KidsPoll surveyed more than 1,200 American children ages 9-13 and found that 64% believe bullying is "very uncool." However, 42% of those children admitted to bullying at least once in awhile. Of the victims, 33% said they are bullied once in awhile; 7% say weekly; 8% say daily. Some 46% respond by "fighting back," 25% "talk to an adult," 20% "just walk away and do nothing," and 9% "try to talk to the bully." Frequent victims fall into an interesting dynamic: those who seldom or never bully others and those who frequently bully others. What's the best solution? Some 35% say: "Tell a teacher or parent." Only 16% suggest discipline; 11 percent want closer supervision; and 8% percent say to "teach lessons at school." The U.S. Department of Health & Human services launched a campaign in March: "Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!" KidsHealth provides doctor-approved health information about children from before birth through adolescence. Created by The Nemours Foundation's Center for Children's Health Media, which is part of a charitable organization created by philanthropist Alfred I. duPont in 1936 and devoted to improving the health of children. Information: www.kidshealth.org. For survey findings: nahec.org/KidsPoll. smoking gun Obesity may be worse for your child than a cigarette Many causes of death can be traced to childhood habits. Certainly cigarette smoking is one. Now a study suggests that the new epidemic of physical inactivity and poor nutrition is catching up to tobacco as America's primary killer. The Centers for Disease Control notes that tobacco is the most common cause of death in the U.S. (435,000 annually), followed closely by poor diet/physical inactivity (400,000). Excessive alcohol consumption is a distant third (85,000). The CDC defines "cause of death" as a lifestyle or behavior that factors into specific illnesses, such as heart disease, cancer and stroke. With the ever-increasing number of obese children, these statistics have alarming implications: Smoking as America's leading cause of death may soon drop to No. 2. Here's why: The CDC reports that 64 of all Americans are overweight and that 30 percent are considered obese. Some 15 percent of children and adolescents, ages 6-19, are overweight. That is double the rate of just 2 decades ago. (Another report that appeared in the January issue of Pediatrics notes that fast-food consumption among youth has increased fivefold since 1970.) The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has responded with a public-service ad campaign to get Americans off the couch and into a healthy lifestyle. It is focusing on calorie intake. "Our report concludes that there is no substitute for the simple formula that 'calories in must equal calories out' in order to control weight," says FDA Deputy Commissioner Lester M. Crawford in a press release. "We're going back to basics, designing a comprehensive effort to attack obesity through an aggressive, science-based, consumer-friendly program with the simple message that 'Calories Count.'" For more information from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, go to: www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/obesity/. For data from the CDC, go to: www.cdc.gov/. In the "Search" engine, type in "obesity trends among children and adolescents." music to young ears How children benefit from the tunes As we were listening to a CD in the office the other day (yes, we have fun in the OC Family Magazine offices), out popped a brochure reminding us that children benefit from music. How does the brain develop around music? Here are some findings: • Second-grade students were given four months of piano keyboard training as well as time using math puzzle software. They scored 27 percent higher on proportional math and fractions tests than those children who received no special instruction, according to "Keeping Mozart in Mind," by Academic Press. • Childhood music lessons actually enlarge the brain. German researchers made the connection, noting that the younger the musical training begins, the larger the brain area that is positively affected, according to a Nature article, April 23, 1998. • College-bound seniors with music experience scored 57 points higher on the verbal portion of their SATs and 41 points higher in match than those without arts instruction, according to "Profiles of SAT and Achievement Test Takers," from the College Board, 2001. The pamphlet suggest that parents visit the American Music Conference website to learn about the research and to ask questions. Information: www.amc-music.org. family finance By Bob Waltos Estate Taxes Minimize the ‘T’ word for your children Many people underestimate their estate and unknowingly face large tax obligations. Your estate includes everything you own at the time of your death (cash, stocks and bonds, annuities, real estate, retirement benefits, life insurance and even jewelry). Currently, if the estate is valued at more than the $1 million exclusion, an estate tax is imposed on every dollar over this amount. Without proper planning, a substantial percentage of the estate value can be lost to taxes after death. One useful way to remove assets from your taxable estate is through the gift tax annual exclusion, allowing assets to be removed from an estate without being taxed, and the future value or appreciation from the gift also is tax-free. But, it can get confusing. Under current tax law, annual gifts valued up to $11,000 can be given to any number of people and are excluded from federal gift taxes. The exclusion doubles to $22,000 each year for gifts that a husband and wife make together. In addition to gifts that fall under the annual exclusion limits, additional gifts are exempt from gift and estate taxes during your lifetime or at death, as long as they: • Do not exceed a total of $1 million, and • Are given away more than 3 years prior to the death of the person making the gift If you plan to make a non-cash gift, consider gifting assets that have the potential to appreciate to help remove the appreciation of those assets from your estate. As an appreciating asset, permanent life insurance is often an ideal gift for parents or grandparents to make to children and grandchildren. It maximizes the use of the exclusion the value of the gift is based on the premium paid, not the ultimate cash value or death benefit. Leveraging the annual exclusion by purchasing life insurance is an effective way to remove assets from an estate and meet other planning objectives such as providing immediate, liquid funds after death to pay expenses. It is important that anyone considering estate planning issues should seek guidance from a tax or legal professional. Bob Waltos, CLU, ChFC, CFP, is managing partner of Northwestern Mutual Financial Network/The Waltos Group in Newport Beach. Information: 949.863.5800 or www.nmfn.com/waltosgroup. Breathe Easy American Lung Association turns 100 The number of Americans with asthma has been on the rise for more than 2 decades. Today, an estimated 17 million Americans suffer from the potentially life-threatening disease, according to statistics supplied by the American Lung Association of Orange County. This includes nearly 148,000 adults and more than 42,000 children in Orange County. The American Lung Association of Orange County the county’s oldest nonprofit agency, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last month offers a number of programs to families affected by asthma and other lung-related and/or respiratory disease. This month, for example, the Santa Ana-based organization will hold the Asthma Olympics. The event, designed to provide children with asthma an opportunity to have fun participating in track and field events, will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 1 at the Fullerton Union High School football field. Other highlights include special appearances by professional athletes and celebrities. (Advanced registration required.) And this summer, the agency will offer its 31st Southern California Asthma Medical Program (SCAMP), a weeklong, overnight camp offered to disadvantaged children with asthma. In addition to camping adventures, such as canoeing, archery and campfire singing, campers will participate in a variety of activities that will teach them how to effectively manage their asthma. Physicians specializing in allergy/pulmonary medicine, registered nurses, respiratory therapists and other health professionals are in attendance to provide routine and emergency treatment. This year’s program, held at YMCA Camp Marston in the mountain district of Julian in San Diego County, will be presented June 27-July 2. In addition to activities such as these, the agency offers information on lung disease and ways to protect your lungs from the threat of indoor and outdoor environmental hazards. Material is available both online and at its Santa Ana site. Furthering its goal of preventing lung disease and promoting lung health, a variety of classes teach children and adults how to keeps their lungs healthy. Offerings include smoking cessation classes and support groups for lung disease patients and many more. Information on the American Lung Association of Orange County: www.oclung.org or call 714.835.5864. |
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