If you happen to be parenting a teenager, one of the stark realities that you have to face is teen dating violence. Most parents think that their teenager is too young to be dealing with such an issue, but the truth is that teen dating violence is increasingly becoming more rampant in society. As a matter of fact, recent statistics revealed that approximately 1 in 5 high school students report being physically and/or sexually abused by a dating partner. Moreover, more than half of the respondents admitted to compromising their values just to please their partner. Another study reported that more than half of today’s teens have experienced dating violence and that females aged 16 to 24 are more susceptible to intimate partner violence than any other age group. Yet another troubling statistic is that 81% of parents surveyed either believe teen dating violence is not an issue or admit they don’t know if it’s an issue.

Having said all these, what exactly can you do about it? The first step is to make sure that your teen is well informed about these possibilities. Communication is the key, it may be tough but it is a necessary one. Get into the habit of talking to your teen on a regular basis. Establishing a close relationship with your teen while she’s young will make it easier for her to approach you when a problem comes about. Your teen may not be aware of the signs of dating violence. Most of them feel pressured to have and stay in a relationship, particularly if they perceive it as a ‘serious’ one. Peer pressure can set in and prompt them to stay in violent relationships because they consider it as a status symbol which is frequently the result of pressure from peers to engage in dating relationships.

Teen dating violence runs across race, gender, and socioeconomic lines. Both males and females are victims so whether you have a teenage son or daughter, it is your responsibility as a parent to make them realize that abusive, controlling and violent behaviors are not normal. Physical aggression has no place in a healthy relationship at any time and victims can and should stand up for themselves. It is unfortunate but there are instances when teenagers opt to stay in a controlling or abusive relationship because they believe there is no escape and no one to run to for help. Educating your teen can help them from falling prey to dating violence and abuse. Teenagers ought to know that there are many resources for help. It is also crucial to build your teen’s self esteem from a young age and impart to them the notion that they are worthy of being treated with utmost respect and dignity by their friends and partners.

Teach your teen how to watch for danger signs when they go out on dates. Some teenagers are quite naive so they have to be warned that dating violence can happen in any relationship. There are early warning signs of dating violence, but such signs will only be recognized if your teen knows exactly what to look for. It is important to stem the problem at its earliest since violent relationships tend to have serious ramifications for victims. Studies show that teens who choose to stay in violent relationships are at higher risk for suicide, substance abuse, eating disorders and risky sexual behavior.

It is advisable for you to set standards for your teen’s dating behavior and you should always know who your teen is going out with. It is your responsibility as a parent to protect your children from the perils in society and make your teen’s safety your top priority.

Precocious puberty, also called pubertas praecox, refers to the unusually early onset of puberty or the appearance of physical and hormonal signs of pubertal development at an earlier age than is considered normal. Precocious puberty may be a deviation from normal development, or may be caused by a disease or abnormal hormone exposure.

There are two types of precocious puberty; the first is called idiopathic central precocious puberty which is natural in every aspect except for age. Central precocious puberty can develop if there is abnormality or damage in the inhibitory system of the brain, or a hypothalamic hamartoma produces pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). The other type is termed peripheral precocious puberty or precocious pseudopuberty which is characterized by secondary development triggered by sex steroids from other aberrant sources such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, gonadal tumors, etc.

The possible causes of precocious puberty in some children can be better understood by, knowing what exactly causes puberty to start. It involves a complex process referred to as the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG axis) which takes over once puberty occurs. The process involves a series of steps: the brain’s hypothalamus produces gonadotropin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) which triggers the pituitary gland to release luteinizing harmone (LH) and follicle-stimulating harmone (FSH). LH and FSH in turn stimulate the ovaries to produce estrogen which is responsible for the growth and development of female sexual characteristics and the testes to produce testosterone which is responsible for the growth and development of male sexual characteristics. The production of estrogen and testosterone causes the physical changes of puberty.

What causes the process to commence early in some children depends on the type of precocious puberty they have. In central precocious puberty, the HPG axis starts prematurely. Even though the process begins earlier than it should, the sequence and timing of the steps are otherwise normal. In most children with this condition, there is no underlying medical condition and no specific reason for the HPG axis to take its course. On the other hand, peripheral precocious puberty occurs independent of the Gn-RH. The cause is the release of estrogen or testosterone into the body due to problems or abnormalities with the ovaries, testes, adrenal glands or the pituitary gland.

The symptoms of precocious puberty vary; in females menstruation may appear before age 10 and the breasts may begin to develop before age eight. In males, the typical age of onset is before age 10; they may start to develop facial, underarm, and pubic hair; the voice deepens; growth accelerates; and behavior tends to be more aggressive. Those with precocious puberty may grow quickly at first and be taller than their peers. However, because their bones mature faster than normal, they usually stop growing earlier than usual. As a result, the affected individual is short in stature by the time he/she reaches adulthood.

It is important to note that there is no reliable age limit which delineates normal from abnormal developments in children nowadays; however, there are certain age thresholds that can be used for evaluation to detect a potential medical problem. The following are tell tale signs: breast development in girls before age seven or the appearance of pubic hair before age eight; start of menstruation before age 10; growth of pubic hair or genital enlargement in boys before age nine; breast development in boys prior to the appearance of pubic hair and testicular enlargement. For definitive diagnosis, a combination of clinical exam, blood tests for levels of hormones, CT scan or MRI of the brain, and bone X-rays can be done.

The treatment for precocious puberty depends on the cause. Most patients with central precocious puberty with no underlying medical condition can be effectively treated with medication. The treatment is called Gn-RH analogue therapy, which normally incorporates a monthly injection of a medication which blocks the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis thereby delaying further development.  The patient continues to receive the medication until he or she reaches the normal age of puberty. Another viable treatment is with the drug anastrozole. A GnRH-specific drug Histrelin acetate, may also be used. In case another medical condition is causing the child’s precocious puberty, treating the other condition is imperative in order to stop the progress of puberty.

Dating violence has been defined by the United Sates Department of Justice as “the perpetration or threat of an act of violence by at least one member of an unmarried couple on the other member within the context of dating or courtship.” Dating among teenagers from its cover appears like a totally distinct realm where violence ceases to exist. However, statistics show that one in every five teens has experienced violence from     their dating partners.

Violence in teen dating typically starts with the teenager trying to maintain power and control over the other teenager through some form of abuse. In order to seize control of their partner, a teenager may turn to physical violence, harassment, calling names, sexual abuse etc. Teen dating violence decussates all socio-economic and racial lines; with majority of the victims being young women who are likewise at higher risk for sustaining serious injury.

Most teenagers who are faced with this problem are cognizant of their situation yet choose to stay in the abusive relationship. One reason is because teenagers are typically inexperienced with dating relationships. Some perceive it as a status symbol which is often the consequence of pressure from peers to engage in dating relationships. Another reason is that some teenagers get a false sense of security from the relationship.

Based on recent statistics, about 35% of teenage girls will experience teen dating violence. There are two sides to this problem: one is on the side of young women and the other on the side of young men. Young women may believe that they bear the responsibility of solving the problems in their relationship. Others think that they can modify the behavior or “cure” their boyfriend. Some may even feel that there is no one to ask for help. On the other hand, young men may believe that they possess their partners and have the right to control them in any way they wish. Others may think that masculinity entails physical aggressiveness; or they may lose respect from their male friends once they are affectionate and supportive toward their girlfriends.

Without proper guidance and education, teenagers often fall prey to drugs, sex and other abuses. During this tumultuous stage in their lives, teenagers fail to understand what is happening and being young they don’t know how to react to it. By the time they realize their predicament, it is either too late or they are left devastated physically and emotionally. Teen dating violence can have lasting effects in the life of the victim and can persist through adulthood. In order to avoid all these problems, teenagers must understand that they have options; that they can choose better relationships and believe they are valuable individuals who deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Just recently, CNN reported a heart-breaking news about a Berkeley teen who was convicted in the murder of his father. The victim was raising three kids on his own when one of them, for reasons unknown, murdered him with a gunshot to the head.  The judge handling the case found the 16-year-old teen guilty of first-degree murder with an enhancement for using a gun in the death of his 40-year-old father.

When the teen was sentenced, the judge could have him locked up in the California Division of Juvenile Justice until he reaches the age of 25. He could also face a variety of other sentences, including being placed on probation and sent home, being sent to a group home or placed in minimum security reform centers. Regardless of what happens, a life was lost and the life of the teenager and those of his siblings are put in jeopardy with the uneventful passing of their father who is supposed to guide them in today’s chaotic environment.

Teen violence is increasingly becoming one of the most serious problems of modern society. It is a curse not only for the victim but for his/her family and the entire society as well. It is also responsible for thousands of deaths every year around the world.  This kind of violence alienates the victim from his/her family, friends and loved ones. Teenagers who engage in violence, generally try to keep themselves away from everyone. Psychologists explain that they do so for the sake of getting away from social embarrassment. Teen abuse lawyers advocate that the victim must get proper legal support at such delicate phase of her/his life.

Young adults are complicated, inquisitive, and filled with potential. Once left unchecked, they can blow up in a million pieces, causing problems resulting to irreparable damage or even death. This is precisely the reason why parents are endowed with the moral obligation to guide their teens during this crucial stage in their lives.

Oftentimes teenagers find their peer groups to be more significant to them than their parents. This being the case, it is as if parents are handling over the life of their teen to the type of group he/she may belong to. With this change come different expectations. This is why friends are such a key developmental and influential factor in the teenage years. Many teens who get involved in gangs are simply trying to live out their new group’s expectations rather than their parents’. Adolescents are all on an equal plane when it comes to violent behavior. Regardless of background, almost all adolescents become significantly more violent after puberty and it drops off again somewhere in their mid-20s.