There is definitely a dark side to the high school years, and as much as teens hate to substantiate parental worry – at some point the unsavory truth needs to be faced. Bullying happens, sex happens, and peer pressure intensifies, causing many youngsters to engage in activities that are unhealthy, unwholesome, and even potentially deadly.

It is inevitable that each of us is touched by one or more of these very negative aspects during our teen years. After all, studies show that over half of teens will be victims of cyber bullying alone! Despite declines in rates of teen pregnancy in the United States, about 820,000 teens become pregnant each year. That means that 34 percent of teenagers have at least one pregnancy before they turn 20.

So how do teens in this day and age arm themselves against the frightening statistics and the realization that they will likely be touched in some manner by the darker side of high school society?

*Knowledge and rational decision making is the answer – many teens are electing to gain their education at home in a safe and positive environment.

The Stats On Bullying

• 80 % of teens use a cell phone regularly, making it the most common medium for cyber bullying
• About half of young people have experienced some form of cyber bullying, and 10 to 20 percent experience it regularly
• Mean comments and the spreading of hurtful rumors are the most common type of cyber bullying
• 1 in 10 adolescents or teens have had embarrassing or damaging pictures taken of themselves without their permission, most often through cell phone cameras
• Fewer than 1 in 5 cyber bullying incidents are reported to law enforcement

Many bullies may not realize the ramifications of their actions – but in fact, cyber bullies and their parents may face legal charges for bullying. And if the cyber bullying were sexual in nature, the results can include being registered as a sex offender.

The Stats on Teen Pregnancy

• Only one-third of teenage mothers complete high school and receive their diplomas
• 80 percent of unmarried teen mothers end up on welfare
• The main rise in the teen pregnancy rate is among girls younger than 15
• United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate of the Western industrialized world

So do you think teen pregnancy would very negatively impact your opportunity for a good education and career? The odds are a resounding YES.

Is Homeschooling Right For You?

Many teens today are coming to the realization that traditional schooling may not provide the protection and the answers they are looking for. According to The National Center for Education Statistics, the number of homeschooled students increased by a relative percentage of 74 % over a period of 8 years.

In 2007, the most common reason parents gave for moving their children to a homeschooled environment was a desire to provide religious or moral instruction (36 % of students). This reason was followed by a concern about the school environment – such as safety, drugs, or negative peer pressure – (21 %), dissatisfaction with academic instruction (17 %), and “other reasons” including family time, finances, travel, and distance (14 %).

Some teens are asking to be homeschooled – proactively reaching the decision NOT to expose themselves to the dark side of the high school environment in the first place. Homeschooling is rapidly becoming a force to be reckoned with – without the stigma of the early years. Homeschooled teens are engaging in sports, making friends, attending proms and functions, and generally forming their own social niche.

*So think about it – homeschooling has the potential to positively change your life – on your terms. Are you ready?