A Guide for Parents

Forword

At the beginning of the 21st century we have much to celebrate about our nation's young people. Teens of all ethnicities are completing high school and enrolling in college at record rates, and more teenagers than ever before are volunteering for community service. In addition, many harmful behaviors are on the decline, including youth violence and gun-related crime, homicide, suicide, teen pregnancy and, in the last few years, drug use. Nonetheless, the rates of youth violence, smoking, alcohol and other drug use, and unintended pregnancy are still far too high. And despite a marked decline in teen homicide over the past several years, far too many communities are still scarred by violence.

We know that the best approach to the problem of youth violence is a comprehensive one, requiring the collaborative efforts of students and parents, teachers, health care providers, law enforcement, judges, counselors, and religious leaders. That is why, among other initiatives, my Administration created the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative to support effective, collaborative responses to youth violence.

Most importantly, we know that young people continue to need support and guidance from their parents as they grow into adulthood. In May 2000, the First Lady and I hosted a conference on "Raising Responsible and Resourceful Teenagers." At this conference we heard from parents, researchers, professionals who work with teenagers, and from teenagers themselves. The message we heard, loud and clear, and that has been confirmed by recent studies, is that teens view their parents as the best source of information and guidance on serious life issues, and that teenagers rate not having enough time with their parents as their top concern.

That is why I directed my White House Council on Youth Violence to develop information resources for parents. This guide provides parents with some useful communication tips for talking to their teenagers. It suggests ways to discuss difficult issues-such as violence, guns, tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs-and helps parents identify the warning signs of harmful behaviors. In some instances, parents may need professional guidance to assist them in dealing with the challenges of raising a teenager, and this guide pro-vides helpful resources.

The great American author and champion of human rights, Pearl Buck, once said, "If our American way of life fails the child, it fails us all." In our national struggle against youth violence, we must not fail our children. All of us, especially parents, share responsibility to keep our children safe. We've all got to do our part, and this guide should help.

- President William Jefferson Clinton