Tuesdays with Muerte

The Research For decades, researchers believed that monitoring—keeping close tabs on where teens are, who they're with, and what they're doing—was the key to keeping them out of trouble. It seemed like a "silver bullet" for reducing risky behavior. But it turns out, kids are REALLY good at avoiding monitoring. They know how to hide things, dodge questions, and stay just out of sight when they want to. So, if parents rely on monitoring alone, they’re not actually learning much about what’s really going on. Instead, 2010 research shows that what actually matters is parental knowledge—but most of that knowledge doesn’t come from spying or strict rules. In fact, only 5% of what parents know comes from monitoring. A much bigger chunk—50%—comes from kids willingly sharing information (disclosure). So how do parents encourage their kids to open up? Two big factors make a difference: How the child is feeling that day – If they're in a good mood, they’re more likely to ta...

Big societal changes can be hard to spot at first, but one shift happening across the United States is clear: DEI programs focused on are losing support, and an anti-DEI movement is gaining strength. What is DEI? So, what is DEI? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Many people first heard about it in 2020 after George Floyd’s tragic death raised national awareness and sparked protests against racism and police violence. In response, companies and schools worked to create or expand DEI programs. These programs aim to promote fairness and make sure workplaces and classrooms include and support people from all backgrounds. DEI isn’t just about hiring; it’s also about creating a welcoming culture and improving how organizations treat everyone. Winds of Change When DEI programs first gained attention, many saw them as a positive step toward fairness, and criticizing them often felt like opposing equality. However, in just a few years, that perspective has shifted. For some, DEI has beco...