Maybe I watch too much TV, or drive by my neighborhood schools at the wrong time, but I must admit the results of a new study of roughly 73,000 teens are surprising to me. The study, by the Archives of General Psychiatry indicates that Asian and African-American teens are less likely to use and abuse illegal drugs than whites and other races. As a result, African-American teens are also less likely to suffer from drug-related disorders. On the other end of the spectrum, Native American students indicated the highest frequency of drug use, with white teens second.
For so long the perception has been that our kids lead in all negative categories. Obviously, one report should not lead us to think that all is well or improving, but it is refreshing to see black teens leading in the “less likely” category when it comes to negative trends. Maybe the work and movement of the last few years among caring African American (like BMWK) entities is eroding the stereotypes.
Whatever one makes from these national results, the struggle remains a house by house, marriage by marriage, child by child battle. I would think that most BMWK readers would understand and agree that our kids are indeed on par with the best of the best and the brightest of the brightest, anywhere. The battle that all children face is the battle within. But we are living in arguably the most enlightened time of African American intellectual promise. So how do we get and keep positive images and thought in front of our kids?
Go to a museum. In every city there is a wealth of information, in some corner of downtown that holds opportunities to be exposed to historical and cultural realities far beyond what we see on a daily basis.
Read a book. I know, nobody has the time or the attention span anymore to read a book in its entirety. But when we encourage our children to read, their interests are piqued and their horizons are broadened.
Your circle of friends. Your friends become your kids role models. Whether that is good or bad, only you know. I remember as a child, going over to their friends’ houses on different occasions. These extended aunts and uncles introduced me to other professions and interests, just by their example.
Talk to your kids about their future. It is never to early to guide your kids in the direction of their future. Stay connected to their interests and gently guide them to a positive future. A child without direction is bound to be heading in the wrong direction.
Go somewhere. Beyond your front door is a world of “exposure.” Take your kids somewhere so that they learn that Maryland crab cakes, Chicago style pizza, Texas barbeque, or New England clam chowder aren’t the same everywhere. Without even leaving the country, there is so much to learn about people and life from visiting other places. I remember the look on the faces of my nieces and nephews from North Carolina the first time they rode the DC Metro (Washington DC Subway). Total amazement.
BMWK, how do you pour positivity into the kids in your household and under your influence?