by Bushteens
A number of stories arise from parties hosted for and by teens. Drugs, alcohol and other illegal substances – or in any case substances that most of the attendants are too young to be taking/using – flow freely. The ‘cool’ factor is at play here. However, are there other reasons besides peer pressure that makes young people want to recklessly endanger their lives for the sake of fitting in? P. October, a practicing counselor, spoke to us and helped elucidate some of the problems that could lead one to use substances. These included low self-esteem, problems at home and/or at school. Substances are often thought to be a way of dealing with feelings of anxiety and/or uncertainty by giving rise to false senses of confidence . This is not the answer and young people need to learn this.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Female Role Models
by Bushkids
To end off women’s month, we spoke about female role models. This is not to say that there are no inspiring men out there, but we just thought we had to give thanks to the women for their impact on our lives. As business women, care-givers and everything in between – women rule! As girl-children, they inspire us to reach for the furthest constellation and overcome all adversity to become all the best that we can be.
To end off women’s month, we spoke about female role models. This is not to say that there are no inspiring men out there, but we just thought we had to give thanks to the women for their impact on our lives. As business women, care-givers and everything in between – women rule! As girl-children, they inspire us to reach for the furthest constellation and overcome all adversity to become all the best that we can be.
Our Communities - what we like and don't like about them
by Bushtots
Maps of the various communities we live in clearly illustrate that there are a number of places that we can move about freely in and other places that we dare not even skirt around because of the criminal element that inhabits such places. We all like our communities simply because that is where our homes are. Some of us are lucky to have open areas that are policed in which we can play about in. Some of us are even so lucky as to be able to go out and play or walk to the shops or school on our own or with a group of friends. However, we are all not so lucky. Some of us cannot even leave our front yards alone – there are those of us who live in constant fear for our lives. This is what we don’t like about our communities. This what must be changed.
Maps of the various communities we live in clearly illustrate that there are a number of places that we can move about freely in and other places that we dare not even skirt around because of the criminal element that inhabits such places. We all like our communities simply because that is where our homes are. Some of us are lucky to have open areas that are policed in which we can play about in. Some of us are even so lucky as to be able to go out and play or walk to the shops or school on our own or with a group of friends. However, we are all not so lucky. Some of us cannot even leave our front yards alone – there are those of us who live in constant fear for our lives. This is what we don’t like about our communities. This what must be changed.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Gender Stereotyping
by Bushteens
Why are we unnerved when we come across individuals who have been enculturated differently. Perhaps, a boy in our class pays a bit too much attention to their appearance. How do we come to 'do' our roles? And why is it such a big deal when one crosses that fine line? Is there even a line?
Women are usually seen as passive home-makers. Eternally relegated to the home. Men are seen as strong, the heads-of-households. The breadwinners. Media plays a big role in maintaining these 'perspectives' influencing the notion that women are sex objects - there purely for men's pleasure. The question is how do we begin to really change these notions even as women are making waves in the public sphere?
Why are we unnerved when we come across individuals who have been enculturated differently. Perhaps, a boy in our class pays a bit too much attention to their appearance. How do we come to 'do' our roles? And why is it such a big deal when one crosses that fine line? Is there even a line?
Women are usually seen as passive home-makers. Eternally relegated to the home. Men are seen as strong, the heads-of-households. The breadwinners. Media plays a big role in maintaining these 'perspectives' influencing the notion that women are sex objects - there purely for men's pleasure. The question is how do we begin to really change these notions even as women are making waves in the public sphere?
Swine Flu
by Bushkids
Swine flu is a disease that one can honestly say has caught the world unawares. However, in Africa should we be more concerned about swine flu or with HIV/AIDS. In the longterm, is the diversion of resources to swine flu testing and treatment going to benefit us or should we continue focusing on HIV/AIDS?
We are already witnessing the negative effects of swine flu in schools. School closures and absenteeism have soared. This will setback matriculants and grade 9's who need to prepare for exams at the end of the year. Why are young people so quick to react to swine flu, yet HIV/AIDS response amongst the youth has been slow? Is it simply because one can bunk school because of swine flu? Why hasn't the same level of stigma been attached to AIDS not been ascribed to swine flu? After all it did come from non-humans.
Fun and activities II
By Bushtots
Technology has really come a long way - now we have Playstation, Xbox and not forgetting the Wii. The discussion began with a focus on how games on any of these consoles could keep both young and old occupied for hours on end. There is a lot more to the game than just the plot or storyline. This was once considered boys domain but girls are finding it just as entertaining. However, despite all the advancements, there is a downfall to all this technological fun. We are spending more time indoors and sedentary in front of the TV. What we really should be doing is spending more time running around outside, with the wind in our hair.
Technology has really come a long way - now we have Playstation, Xbox and not forgetting the Wii. The discussion began with a focus on how games on any of these consoles could keep both young and old occupied for hours on end. There is a lot more to the game than just the plot or storyline. This was once considered boys domain but girls are finding it just as entertaining. However, despite all the advancements, there is a downfall to all this technological fun. We are spending more time indoors and sedentary in front of the TV. What we really should be doing is spending more time running around outside, with the wind in our hair.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Fun and Activities
by Bushtots
Ever wondered just how different the games we play today are from the games our parents and grandparents used to play? Well, we did and we found out just how different and similar they are. In fact, some of the games we play are the games they used to play (and possibly still do) when they were our ages. But imagine not having all the toys that you have. Better yet, imagine what your life would be like without that Xbox, Playstation or Nintendo Wii. What would you do for fun? Think about it....
Ever wondered just how different the games we play today are from the games our parents and grandparents used to play? Well, we did and we found out just how different and similar they are. In fact, some of the games we play are the games they used to play (and possibly still do) when they were our ages. But imagine not having all the toys that you have. Better yet, imagine what your life would be like without that Xbox, Playstation or Nintendo Wii. What would you do for fun? Think about it....
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Women making a difference in our lives
by Bushtots
The show was dedeicated to the women who are making a difference in our lives – most notably our mothers. Without these amazing women who not only have given so much but are willing and able to give so much more for us, we would be without a shelter, food and that warm fuzzy feeling that makes it known that we are loved.
The show was dedeicated to the women who are making a difference in our lives – most notably our mothers. Without these amazing women who not only have given so much but are willing and able to give so much more for us, we would be without a shelter, food and that warm fuzzy feeling that makes it known that we are loved.
Inspirational Women
by Bushteens
Women have come a long way, particularly in South Africa. Women’s Day this year marked the 53rd anniversary of the women’s march. A march in which women from diverse backgrounds got together to say that they had had enough of the pass laws. From these bold beginnings women have climbed to the tops of executive ladders, a sure sing of what a long way they have come.
Hectic Nine 9’s Schelaine joined us in studio today, to help us celebrate women in our lives. Undoubtedly the role of women has changed and women have been moving ever more steadily into the public realm, we cannot stop fighting because even greater injustices against women take place daily.
Women have come a long way, particularly in South Africa. Women’s Day this year marked the 53rd anniversary of the women’s march. A march in which women from diverse backgrounds got together to say that they had had enough of the pass laws. From these bold beginnings women have climbed to the tops of executive ladders, a sure sing of what a long way they have come.
Hectic Nine 9’s Schelaine joined us in studio today, to help us celebrate women in our lives. Undoubtedly the role of women has changed and women have been moving ever more steadily into the public realm, we cannot stop fighting because even greater injustices against women take place daily.
The important contribution proffered by women on a daily basis is now widely recognised. Yet women still bear the brunt of poverty and disease to mention but a few. The show was dedicated to the women making ripples in the public sphere, e.g. in business but most notably to the unsung heroes who struggle everyday just to put food on the table.
Hobbies
By Bushkids
There are a number of exciting, crazy and even downright weird activities that we partake in to keep ourselves busy and out of trouble. Whatever they may be, they keep us occupied for hours on end.
There are a number of exciting, crazy and even downright weird activities that we partake in to keep ourselves busy and out of trouble. Whatever they may be, they keep us occupied for hours on end.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Language
by Bushteens
The show focused mainly on the English language and it’s usefulness. The skit started the discussion. It was about a man who only knew the word ‘I’ but eventually progressed to “I love”. The skit highlighted the challenges faced by individuals trying to learn a new language. One way to improve your language skills is by reading, listening to indigenous language radio programmes and/or watching programmes in indigenous languages.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of knowing more than one language, particularly in South Africa where we have eleven official languages. A case in point is our diverse national anthem, which has verses in English, Afrikaans, Sesotho and IsiXhosa.
The show focused mainly on the English language and it’s usefulness. The skit started the discussion. It was about a man who only knew the word ‘I’ but eventually progressed to “I love”. The skit highlighted the challenges faced by individuals trying to learn a new language. One way to improve your language skills is by reading, listening to indigenous language radio programmes and/or watching programmes in indigenous languages.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages of knowing more than one language, particularly in South Africa where we have eleven official languages. A case in point is our diverse national anthem, which has verses in English, Afrikaans, Sesotho and IsiXhosa.
Friendship
by Bushtots
A friend is someone who is always there to listen, hold your hand and tell you that you are going to make it – no matter what the odds. When you need them they are there. Ever so often though, we have a friend or two (hopefully never more than that), who never has our best interests at heart. He/she will influence us into doing things that will inevitably get us into trouble, be it at school, home or both. These people we can never call our friends but we do. It takes some time for us to realize that they do not have our best interests at heart.
We need to remember that in order to have good friends, you need to be a good friend.
A friend is someone who is always there to listen, hold your hand and tell you that you are going to make it – no matter what the odds. When you need them they are there. Ever so often though, we have a friend or two (hopefully never more than that), who never has our best interests at heart. He/she will influence us into doing things that will inevitably get us into trouble, be it at school, home or both. These people we can never call our friends but we do. It takes some time for us to realize that they do not have our best interests at heart.
We need to remember that in order to have good friends, you need to be a good friend.
Is S.A. ready for 2010?
by Bushkids
With the Confederations Cup having come and gone and the 2010 stadiums at various stages of completion, are we really ready to welcome the world. Remembering the not so peaceful municipal workers strikes from last week, who knows if we’ll make it. In any case, we are more concerned about the effects that the changes in the school calendar will have on learners. Was this change in the best interests of the learners? Perhaps, but we think not. That is time that could be well spent revising the work done thus far or better yet, covering more of the syllabus so that there isn’t a mad rush at the end.
With the Confederations Cup having come and gone and the 2010 stadiums at various stages of completion, are we really ready to welcome the world. Remembering the not so peaceful municipal workers strikes from last week, who knows if we’ll make it. In any case, we are more concerned about the effects that the changes in the school calendar will have on learners. Was this change in the best interests of the learners? Perhaps, but we think not. That is time that could be well spent revising the work done thus far or better yet, covering more of the syllabus so that there isn’t a mad rush at the end.
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