TEENS & SELF-IMAGE
11th annual survey results

Results roundup: What 272,400 teens said about how they feel about themselves.

Survey results: Complete national survey results.

Faith: Religion plays a powerful role in teens' everyday lives.

Mental health: 37% of teens surveyed have a friend who has considered suicide.

Teen roundtable: Our Teen Panel talks to Tipper Gore about being accepted, sexual pressures and their parents' infuence.

Voices: Advice, insights, questions from students. Respondents who were picked for honors.

Bolster yourself: Learn 10 ways teens and parents can work toward a healthy self-image.

Issue date:
May 1-3, 1998

10 ways to a healthy self-image

TEENS

1. Find a mentor. Ask an adult you admire to meet every other week to chat. You'll gain from his or her wisdom and have someone to turn to with problems. Groups such as 100 Black Men of America, for boys, or Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America are great resources. (100 Black Men, 404-688-5100 or www.100BlackMen.org; Big Brothers & Big Sisters, 215-567-7000 or www.bbbsa.org.)

2. Manners matter. You'll be more comfortable in social situations. Examples: Invited to a party? Offer to bring something. Afterward? Send a thank-you note. Check out Social Savvy, by Judith Ré ($12, Simon & Schuster).

3. Learn how to fend for yourself. Can you change a tire? Do laundry without turning everything gray? By learning skills, you'll feel empowered to tackle everyday challenges.

4. Volunteer. You'll not only feel good about helping others, but you'll also get a bigger picture of the world around you -- and be reminded of how good you have it.

5. Explore your talents. Try a variety of activities, such as choir, the student newspaper or a new sport. Finding a hobby you enjoy or unearthing a new talent will boost your self-identity and help you make friends with similar interests.

6. Be media-savvy. Forget gushy teen mags. Try JUMP, which focuses on fitness and self-assurance, or blue jean magazine, an issues-oriented mag written and produced by girls, for girls. (For JUMP, 1-888-369-5867; blue jean, 1-888-425-8532.)

PARENTS

1. Teach teens to cook. Nearly half of American teens say they shop for groceries and cook for their family each week, a new study shows. That's good news for parents -- and not just because they need help. Teens should be in charge of making dinner once a week because they'll learn a vital skill, feel they have accomplished something and appreciate the "official" family cook even more.

2. Hang out with your teen's friends. Mother-daughter book clubs have sprung up, and for good reason: Spending time with teens and their friends while getting to know other parents will help build positive relationships. Dads, plan a monthly "Men's Night Out" for fathers and sons. And make sure your teens know their friends are always welcome at your house.

3.Try walking. Take a walk in the dark with your teenager. You're more likely to have a great conversation in a situation that allows the teen to avoid eye contact.

4. Learn from the experts. Daughters, a newsletter out of Nashville, is rich with advice for talking with, learning from and caring for girls 8 to 18. Recent articles have touched on boy obsessions, sibling squabbles and friendships. Even better: It includes further resources ($25 for eight issues; 1-800-829-1088). In June, look for A Fine Young Man by psychotherapist and educator Michael Gurian ($24.95, Tarcher/Putnam).

Sources: Marguerite Kelly, syndicated advice columnist and author; psychologist Mary Pipher, author of Reviving Ophelia; and Teenage Research Unlimited