Newswise — IS THIS THE SUMMER OF GAY ACCEPTANCE? -- It's been a busy summer for the gay rights movement. From the Supreme Court's decision striking down a Texas sodomy law, to continued discussion about the legalization of gay marriage, to the number of gay-themed reality TV shows, mainstream Americans are seeing and reading about gay men and women more than ever before. But will it change homophobic attitudes? "Any kind of exposure is going to get people talking, but behaviors are harder to change than attitudes," says Temple counseling psychologist Greg Tucker, who has studied homophobia in the workplace. Still, Tucker says, the gay rights movement has made tremendous progress this summer--and significant progress since even 1997, when Ellen DeGeneres made national and international news when she "came out" on network TV. Today, sexual orientation is "becoming more of a non-issue" for many Americans, says Tucker, noting that up-and-coming generations generally are more accepting of people's differences. "There is more of a schism between generations, but in terms of acceptance, there has been a massive, massive change. And I do think it's as historical as Stonewall," he says, referring to the 1969 riot at New York City's Stonewall Inn, a gay bar raided by police, which is considered the start of the gay rights movement. "The closet door has been kicked wide open. And many more changes are coming."
WHEN BACK-TO-SCHOOL ANXIETY GOES BEYOND BUTTERFLIES -- Most kids have a bit of nervousness when they head back to school in September and face a new grade, new teachers and new challenges. But parents should zero in on kids who have anxiety issues that go beyond first-day butterflies, says Temple psychologist Philip Kendall, an internationally recognized expert in children's anxiety issues and director of the newly expanded Child & Adolescent Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Temple. "Some kids have an eagerness, a positive glow, about heading back to school," says Kendall. "But there will be a chunk whose anxiety will overshadow eagerness. The kids we work with have fears and anxieties that get in the way of schoolwork, friendships or family life." Kendall says parents who are concerned about their child's anxiety should key into how the child reacts to activities that are appropriate for their age, like participating in sports or activities. "Parents should look for avoidance. Kids with anxiety disorders will often find a way to avoid a situation or activity that is typical for their age. They will have physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches or muscle tension. Or they will have excessive worry about a situation that's not age appropriate, bringing adult probabilities into a situation inaccurately." Kendall's clinic works with children ages 7-17 and their families to help them develop coping skills to deal with their anxieties in a rational way.
FOR YOUNG SCHOLARS, INTENSE SUMMER OF LEARNING HEADS INTO FALL -- How many city teens can say they've spent the summer reading Huckleberry Finn or The Great Gatsby? Or that they've learned hundreds of new vocabulary words and can now freely use "echolalia," "prodigality" and "convivial" in everyday conversation? Or that they've participated in intense algebra and geometry lessons for four hours a day, 20 hours a week? Over 120 senior high school students from some of the lowest- performing schools in the state can brag that they've done just that through Temple's Young Scholars program. The students, who hail from schools in North Philadelphia, will wrap up the 120-hour, summer session of the Young Scholars program on Friday, Aug. 8. Over the past five weeks, they've attended rigorous, standards-based classes taught by Temple faculty and doctoral- level student and worked with undergrads who have served as their mentors. This school year, the Young Scholars, who are enrolled in the program throughout high school, will continue their studies by attending two Saturday sessions each month for an additional 150 hours of instruction and study time. "The program's goals are twofold," says Temple urban education professor Erin McNamara Horvat, who directs Young Scholars, founded in 1998. "First, the program works to improve students' academic skills by exposing them to rigorous academic content with increased support. Second, the program creates a college-going culture among the students by providing extended exposure to higher education, trips to area colleges and universities, assistance with the college application process and exposure to the benefits of attending college."
RSS