Mandy is a typical teen, but has decided abstinence is the way to go. Why? Because she believes that having sex before marriage is morally wrong. She learned that in her youth group at church. Religion made a difference in her thinking. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention did a study that backed up…

It isn’t always easy to figure out whether a teen is simply in the throws of adolescent moodiness or is depressed. We have to rely on observing changes in behavior and looking for symptoms that fit depression. Picking up on teen depression is important because it can lead to suicide, substance abuse, physical illness and…

It’s all over YouTube and it is scary. Kids playing a dangerous and sometimes deadly game called The Choking Game. Kids know the game by other names–the Scarf Game, Cloud Nine, Purple Dragon, Space Monkey, Fainting Game and more. If you haven’t heard of it, you join about a third of pediatricians who are unaware…

Why is it that so many people are obsessed with weight and looking perfect? One reason has to do with the distraction beauty and weight loss serve in our lives. For example, it’s easier to obsess over an outfit than resolve a conflict with a friend. The art of make-up can be mastered before you…

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More from Beliefnet and our partners