THE WORLD
From Issue #18
Oh Canada!...and Beyond
Research by Surya Bhattacharya. Compiled by Jono Boysen and Mary Grace Consul.
MAKEUP TO GO
A recent survey of 6,000 girls between the ages of
7 to 19, by a consumer research company in England,
suggested vending machines selling makeup would do
well in secondary schools. The report identified schools
as a place where 81% of 11- to 14-year-olds apply lip gloss
and lipstick, and over half of the surveyed population
also wear perfume, blush and foundation. The idea of such
machines in schools has been condemned by teachers.
Consumer analysts fear that students may lose focus
on what school is about: learning and not increasing
sex appeal.
Source: BBC News
GAMING SKILLS
Sam Mansel is using skills he learned while
playing videogames to drive a custom-built
wheelchair. Sam, 17, has athetoid cerebral palsy which
disrupts the control of his arms, hands and legs with
spontaneous and unwanted violent movements.
For several years, Sam used switches controlled by his
chin to master games on PlayStation. Now experts have
developed a new chair, based on gaming technology that
Sam is already familiar with. The new controls, based
around the use of his chin give Sam more independence and mobility. Source: BBC News
CONFUSING FACT AND FICTION
John Smit, an 18-year-old African teen,
refused to answer a question on
Harry Potter worth thirty marks on his
English term paper. John and his family
later appealed to school authorities
claiming Harry Potter books promote
witchcraft. A member of parliament said
the South African education board
needs a clearer policy to avoid such
moral dilemmas, and added that, having
read the series, he also thought it was
a witchcraft manual.
Source: Reuters
HIGH ON SELF-ESTEEM
In a recent study published about self-esteem in
multicultural youth in Canada, it was found that
although teens are exposed to a lot of media stereotypes
and pressures, their self-esteem remains high. The study
looked at the self-esteem levels of 550 students from
predominantly multicultural high schools in Ontario
and found different factors such as relationships, school,
lifestyle, personality and achievements promote and challenge a student’s self-esteem. The study also found
students who interacted and maintained friendships with
other students from different backgrounds had higher
self-esteem levels.
Source: University of Toronto
GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP?
New findings show adolescents who go to bed at 2 a.m.
and wake up early to make their 8 a.m. classes are not
getting enough sleep and putting themselves at risk for
chronic tiredness. In a study of young Chinese teens,
those who were sleep deprived experienced frequent
nightmares and, compared to their well-rested peers,
were more likely to have suicidal thoughts and attempt
suicide compared to their well rested peers. While adults
need eight hours of sleep on average, TEENAGERS NEED AT
LEAST NINE HOURS, because their bodies are experiencing
huge growth spurts and hormonal changes. Studies also
show lack of sleep affects thinking, concentration, school
performance and social behaviour.
Source: Reuters
