Daly Focus Blog
According to a recent story in the San Francisco Chronicle there is a disturbing trend developing with teenage girls on the internet:
A growing number of tweens and teens, mainly girls, are posting videos on YouTube asking commenters if they’re ugly.
Type ‘Am I ugly?’ or ‘Am I pretty’ into the YouTube search box and dozens of videos pop up, including one of an 11-year-old girl who poses for the camera, twirling her shoulders, smiling big, and pulling her long hair out of a pony tail.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, pop culture, technology by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Since 1963 a mural that contains a very brief school prayer has been hanging in the gymnasium of Rhode Island’s Cranston High School.
Prior to the Supreme Court ruling in 1962 that banned official school prayer, students recited it each day. The next year’s graduating class presented the mural as a gift to the school, and there it has hung for nearly 50 years.
That is until a student complained about it and suggested its presence was unconstitutional.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: parenting by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
It happened again last week, this time at a 7-Eleven in Silver Spring, Maryland.
As many as 50 teens and young adults were caught on camera robbing the store. To look at the video footage is to see modern-day anarchy in full living color. The operators of the business were helpless until police arrived.
Officials in cities where “flash mobs” have wreaked havoc insist they’re investigating the incidents and studying ways to prevent them from happening again.
Topics: Current Events Tags: events, family, news, parenting by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The late Nobel laureate in economics, Milton Friedman, warned many years ago that the more government does for the family, the less those in the family are likely to do for themselves.
Do you agree?
Dr. Friedman was not alone in his concern about the negative impact government subsidies can have on private households. History tells us that unintended consequences often accompany even well-meaning bureaucratic intervention. Over thirty years ago a contemporary of Friedman, Martin S.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: family, parenting, policy by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
The disturbing video of Texas judge William Adams whipping his then 16-year-old daughter quickly went viral last week, with several million views and climbing. Have you seen it? I had the unfortunate experience of watching an excerpt the other day.
I was sickened at the sight.
My heart breaks for this young woman, Hillary Adams (now 23) who posted the video, allegedly to get back at her father. He is (or was) running for re-election. Naturally people want to know if officials are going to charge Judge Adams with child abuse.
Topics: Current Events Tags: family, kids, news, parenting by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
When the late Ruth Handler conceived and created the first Barbie doll in 1959 (named after her daughter, Barbara), she was trying to come up with a simple toy that would resonate with preteen girls. The wife of Mattel’s co-founder and a savvy business woman, she quickly had a megahit on her hands. Over 350,000 dolls were sold in the first year.
Amidst the fame and fortune, though, controversy has continuously dogged Mattel’s franchise brand. Even in its early years, parents protested the doll’s unrealistic body proportions.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting, pop culture by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Little Fellow
by Shirley Mitton
There are little eyes upon you,
And they’re watching night and day;
There are little ears that quickly take in
Every word you say.
There are little hands all eager
To do every thing you do,
And a little boy who’s dreaming
Of the day he’ll be like you.
You’re the little fellow’s idol.
You’re the wisest of the wise;
In his little mind about you
No suspicions ever rise.
There’s a wide-eyed little fellow
Who believes you’re always right;
And his ears are always open
As he watches day and night.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
In this age of exploding technology, not to mention statistical spin, it’s important to remember that things are seldom as they first seem.
Consider a new study that was released last week from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). At first glance, the findings appear promising, even encouraging. According to the report, nearly 75% of teenagers between the ages of 15 and 17 are now choosing to abstain from sex.
Given previous negative trends on this matter, this is good news, unless, of course, you’re the parent of a teen who falls within the other 25%.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: kids, parenting, sex by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Just a quick slice of life from the Daly household last week; perhaps you can relate?
The other morning I was preparing my coffee in the kitchen and our boys, Trent and Troy, were enjoying their blueberry waffles. Troy, age 9, popped up from the table in the hope of searching out a second helping. But when he got to the toaster on the counter he noticed there was just one waffle remaining.
What was he going to do?
Topics: Family and Home Tags: faith, kids, parenting by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
There’s a new study out that suggests when compared to gentle and slower animated fare, “fast-paced” cartoons negatively (and immediately) impact a child’s ability to think creatively and regulate their behavior.
Are you surprised?
This would seem to fall into the “common sense” category, especially given the numerous studies through the years about the detrimental impact of television on children. For example, a highly respected study sponsored by the American Academy of Pediatrics several years ago recommended no television for children under the age of three.
Topics: Family and Home Tags: entertainment, parenting, technology by Jim Daly with Paul Batura
Jim Daly is a husband, father and President of Focus on the Family and host of its National Radio Hall of Fame broadcast. His blog, Daly Focus, is full of timely commentary and wisdom designed to help you navigate and understand today’s culture. His latest book is Marriage Done Right.Home
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