Poughkeepsie Journal from Poughkeepsie, New York • Page 27

AdOleSCfenCe; A time of both confusion and change for kids By Tracey O'Shaughnessy taniMtt News Service Adolescence: the word strikes a chord ot unparalleled fear In the hearts of pre teens' parents. Nothing like the evil god Puberty to upset your happy homelite. Images of punked out, drugged up, tuned out teen agers have greased their way Into our movies and televison sets, making parents wonder if there was any hope for kids after age 13. But Peter Benson, principal Investigator at the Mlnneapolls basrd Search Institute, says those Images have changed through the years. Where once we saw the young and the restless Marlon Brandos and Peter Fondas in the high school, now we see them in Junior high or before.

The ghosts of The Wild Bunch that remain in schools are curiously evident In fifth to ninth grade students. Among older teen agers, a conservative, mainline student, anxious about the future and worried about school, society and his own self image has now stepped out of the leather Jackets and into worsted wool. In the study "Early Adolescents and Their Parents," Benson and his associates found young adolescents suffering from "a real bad case of the ideals." Maturity Is accompanied by a barrage of concerns, in which everything takes on a must confront quality: nuclear destruction, hunger in the U.S., death, poverty. The world becomes more open, but also more intimidating. These worries start early and begin to diminish over time, with more me orlented issues taking their place.

The nationwide survey involved 1,000 adolescents selected mainly from different branches of American Protestantism or Catholicism. Overall, Benson says, the study showed that kids of this generation "are growing up faster than previous generations. They know more, they are In contact with more, tney have more freedom of movement, more time un supervlsed and are moving through life faster than their parents or grandparents did." In the young adolescent stage, things are moving, changing. As if coping with physical and psychological problems weren't enough, the change from 'a close knit, single teacher grammar school to what often is seen as a cold, Impersonal school with multiple teachers only adds to stress and fear among students. "What's happening is the environment is becoming more complex while the kids' own psychological development Is becoming more complex," Benson said.

"You take the kids' own inner turmoil and his peer pressure, put them together and that creates a more stressful environment in which kids perhaps don't pay attention as well and are not able to discipline as well. This makes things jyrazier." the confused, disgruntled adolescent is not applicable to every teen ager who begins reaching for A bottle of Clearasll. Every teen ager is not a "Rebel Without A Cause." Benson notes that there is extreme variability among adolescents some who slide through adolescence without a hitch, and some whose teen age years are marked by extreme confusion and anxiety. In the fifth grade, 52 percent of those surveyed said they worried very much or quite a bit about hunger and poverty In the U.S. By the ninth grade, that figure had dropped to 31 percent.

In the fifth grade, 43 percent worried about violence In this country very much or quite a bit, but by the ninth, only 30 percent expressed concern. Worries of victimization or death experiences are also strong in fifth grade, Benson says, because the stu dent's world view Is expanding far beyond the classroom. llcscesth dangers confronting him." but his slight physical stature inhibits him from doing anything about It. Fifty percent of fifth graders worry very much or quite a bit that a parent might die, and 26 percent worry that they themselves might die. Benson says this Is particular to our media glutted generation that is "privy to more of what's going on in the rcnl world a generation 20 or 30 years ago.

"There's a threat to world peace; there's poverty. I don't think kids knew that then. Now they do, but they're not old enough to have perspective yet. They see these incredible threats to their well being and I think their first reaction when they become aware of it is 'I'm not going to Benson says it's "amazing" how many kids contemplate suicide and at a young age. "As you get more in touch with life In the real world, you start thinking about what death is.

how it's experienced, what It feels like. It may be a very common experience to think about suicide." During early adolescence, he says. kids begin to develop a sense of the future. Before the age of 10, their lives are more "lived for the moment." But as they become more In tune to "'adult" concerns, what adults would see as "Idle" Issues tend to take on a more fatalistic nature. "Some kids have the sense that everything matters so much, they can end up wondering if it's even worth going on." But with age, kids begin to develop a wider perspective.

By the ninth grade, only 13 percent worry they will die soon, and only 9 percent worry that they might kill themselves. What begins to take on greater Im See BY THE, page 32 TV, page 28 Ann Landers, page 31 ffl IFaSi iff Hi Tuesday, September II, 1984 Poughkeepsie Journal 27 What's going on Volunteers needed Volunteers are needed for the tax preparation program sponsored by the American Association of Retired Persons. An IRS training course will be given in January to acquaint all participants with tax law changes. Volunteers are especially needed for eastern Dutchess County. Further information is available by writing: Tax Aide, P.O.

Box 3, Rhlnebeck, N.Y. 12S72. Senior organizations may have this free tax aide service brought to their meeting place by writing to the above address. i Exercise classes RHINEBECK A series of two weekly exercise classes for pregnant women and mothers with new babies will be held at the Starr Library the week of Sept. 17.

The instructor Is Mary Nettles, R.N. "Yoga and Exercise for the Pregnant Woman" provides gentle stretching exercises along with breating and relaxation techniques. The "Mother and Baby" program Is geared toward getting new mothers back Into shape while giving their babies the benefits of exercise, stimulation and socialization. Babies should be at least one month old. Futher information Is available from Ms.

Nettles, Rhlnebeck. First aid course An instructor's course in multimedia standard first aid will be held at Fire Alarm Headquarters, CreekRoad, Poughkeepsie from 1:30 to 10:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Sept. 11 and 13. The course is sponsored by the Dutchess County chapter of the American Red Cross.

Participants must be aged 17 or older and have a valid standard first aid, advanced first aid or EMT certificate. Advance registration Is required. There Is a fee. Further information Is available from the chapter office, 103 Hooker Poughkeepsie. Class on retirement A four week course Yourself for retirement" will be held at the Martha Lawrence Extension Site of Dutchess Community College beginning today.

The course will meet from 10 a.m. to noon at the site located on Route 9. The workshop Is part of a series on "Famly Survival Skills" sponsored by the college and Family Services of Dutchess County. There is a tee and registration can be made with the college's community services of fice. Luncheon for teachers FISHKILL The 34th annual luncheon and business meeting of the Retired Teachers of the Southeastern Zone will be held Wednesday, Sept.

12 at the Holiday Inn, Route 9. The coffee hour will begin at 9 a.m. followed by a business meeting. Election of offices will also be held. Sister Ann Sakac, president.

Mount Saint Mary College, is the guest speaker. There is a fee and reservations must be made with Mrs. Frieda Baird, King's Highway, Chester, The southeastern zone includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster and Westchester counties. Daily activities WEDNESDAY, Sopt. 12 DO DO SQUARE DANCE CLUB.

7pm. Fun night at Poughkeepsie Middle School, College Avenue, Poughkeepsie. Couples In forested In learning western style square dancing welcome. Charlie Godfrey, caller. Soft soled shoes required.

HADASSAH (Poughkeepsie chapter.) 7 30 pm. Paid up membership meeting at Jew Ish Community Center. 110 Grand Ave Poughkeep sle. Dr. Edith Har Eth.

president, clinical staff or gs Filiation. Hudson River Psychiatric Center. Is guest speaker. KINGSTONULSTER EASY BREATHERS CLUB? 3pm Group meets In the targe conference room at YWCA. Clinton Avenue, Kingston.

Weyne McDonald, pharmacist at Benedictine Hospital, Is guest speaker. Program sponsored by Hudson Valley chapter of American Lung Association, 141 Ulster Ave Saugerlles. LA LECHE LEAGUE (Hyde Park.) 9 30 m. Group meets at the home of Jerri Williams, 373 Hooker Poughkeepsie. Topic; Baby Arrives The family and the breastfed baby, Mothers, pregnant women and babies welcome.

SOJOURNER BUSINESS WOMEN'S CLUB. 4.30 pm. Dinner meeting at 117 Forbus Poughkeepsie. Barbara Morgan of the United Way Is guest speaker, WELCOME ALTERNATIVE FOOD COOP. 7M Main Poujhkeepeie.

7pm, Natural cooking class on sprouting seeds and beans. Fee. IIHHsSttSHiaflrHBLLRl sSslsWsTOJsliwIrilW'raEiBil 1 1fFVSTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBTBnHS9BBBB IBSxSSxSSxSsvSsSxSsRBSjBSxSxnjaBBSV' ywASSiSSSSSSSSSSSMSgBMBBlBsW BJBSSJBSSJBHBJMC XKtBMmXjSmtKa 'wfcjtfwKnSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS BSBBSJBSKBSBSBfBSSSjBSJBSjr ISSSSSjBSSSSSSSff jsnBSSSSSSjyjf ea? iSSVe1BjSSSjSBfiSSSSSpa utamB 30ftaub0uMjKSBSSSSSSDi tit Sjp. BSr tpSSSSSSSjpSjBrv jfif jt? ifSSsSsSBi IkSBSBSSSiBa pSSSSSSSjBTBSSSBBtf JMlBtBBSKUmkSSriStBKBB. bSL Hbv BSSSSSyjBSSSjBBj flBsv KKmmiSltiMmSBlKBBsilSilKR SSSSjHrJaCayii jjJE IBnBSBSBSBSBSBSBSBSBSBSBBn cisssssssssssssssssssssssfl Linda Torrionl with the fifth grade class she taught at Warring Elementary School.

Journ.lCr.hj Kuril The first day of school for feochetr By Pamela Raye Flore Journal staff Linda Torrloni's first day as a school teacher didn't live up to her expectations. It turned out much better than she thought It would. i Freshly graduated from SUNY New Paltz In May, Torrionl hadn't even planned to teach class last Wednesday. Torrionl, of LaGrange, Is Just beginning her career as a teacher and put her name In to substitute at various schools. She figured nobody would be out on the first day of school.

But the person who normally teaches 5th grade at Warring Elementary School in the City of Poughkeepsie, had a minor accident and rouldn't make opening day. So the school called Torrionl. "I was really scared on my first day and I didn't know anything about the school," she said. "It was my first time ever in another teacher's classroom and what made it harder. was to take her class on the first day of school.

"But my fears were groundless. The kids were very helpful, directing me to the library and cafeteria, and the other teachers answered any questions I had." Torrionl, 34, and her fifth grade class tackled a math lesson, spelling bee and school rules. She had them write a composition about their goals for the year and suggest rules for the classroom. "We had a full day," she said. "The kids told me I worked them too hard, though.

"You know, I'm attached to them already." Torrionl, who taught the class until Friday, left remembering her students' names. "It's a funny thing, when I was student teaching last year, It was hard to leave the kids," she said. "But you have to move on, although they all remain kind of special to you." Torrionl had always wanted to be a teacher. She attended college after high school, but quit after a semester. "Finding a Job seemed more exciting at the time than finishing school," she said.

"But I always felt bad that I didn't stick with my goal of becoming a teacher." She went to work, married Fred Torrionl and had two children, Jennifer and Christopher, in the intervening years. By the time Christopher was old enough to go to nursery school, she decided It was time to get out of the house. "When you stay In the house so many years, your mind turns to mush," said Torrionl. "I felt that I needed to find a way to grow, so I decided to take a class at Dutchess Community College and get my feet wet. "I took it a little bit at a time and loved It." When her son went to school full time, Torrionl transferred to SUNY New Palts and pursued her teaching degree In earnest.

The next thing she knew, it was six years later and she had the degree In her hand. "The odds seemed against me," she said. "People told me I was crazy and that I'd never get a Job. "And the crazy hours, taking courses at, night, made things a little erratic at home. But my husband has supported me, really supported me, through this whole thing.

When I went to school at night, he babysat and helped me as much as he could." Torrionl says she wants a full time teaching Job. "If I hold out long enough for the next couple of years, I feel I will find a Job," she said. "The school (Warring) Is pleased with my performance and I'm on substitute lilts for other schools. I'll gain experience and wait for a Job opening." She says her husband isn't surprised at her objectives. "I've always talked about becoming a teacher and he always told me to do whatever made me happy," she said.

"And going through this whole experience with Fred has drawn us closer together. As a matter of fact, tonight (last Thursday) Is our 14th anniversary." The melting pot principle With rise in minorities, educational system must adapt By Tracey O'Shaughnessy GaniMtt News Srvic. "America," wrote Israel Zangwlll in 1908. "Is God's crucible, the great melting pot where all the races of Europe are melting and re forming." If he had lived to 1984, he would have seen his well quoted observation come to Its full realization in the U.S. educational system.

Demographics is quickly changing the nostalgic notion of the young white male taking up courses at his father's alma mater. Significant Jumps in the numbers of minorities In this country are not only bringing blacks, Asians and Hispanics into the mainstream, but lifting them to the status of the majority in some places and giving them increased Influence in determining the nature of the educational system. It is these groups, plus an Increase in women and older students, that have played a major role In keeping college enrollment at its traditional 12 mllllon a year level despite decreasing birthrates. Harold Hodgkinson, author of "Guess Who's Coming tQ.College Your Students In 1990," reported 25 percent of all public school students now come from minority backgrounds. "It's a.

whole new ball game," he said. "Whites are now dependent upon the minority for the first time to help it achieve Its Hodgkinson, who predicts by 1990 minori ties will make up 30 percent of the youth population, says the economic future of the population will depend on this group, which will be determining the tax base in years to come. If these minorities continue to get the "low level, menial Jobs" they have been getting, there will be less of a tax base to draw from to provide Social Security funds for the rest of a rapidly aging white population. Combine an aging white population and an increasing minority youth population and you get a potentially volatile situation, he said. In the past, Hodgkinson said, it was easy to dismiss minorities or practice a policy of "benign neglect." But when minorities account for nearly one third the youth, he says, the white middle class will have to address their education "out of sheer self interest.interest.

The white, suburban middle class will not be able to achieve its objectives unless these people receive a good education. These people form the tax base that allows the comfortable white middle class to retire in luxury," According to James E. Blackwell, professor of sociology at the University of Massachusetts, an increasing minority and decreasing majority means society and its educational system must provide sufficient training programs so that the minority will be qualified for both service jobs and for higher level, higher Income Jobs. "This will mean not only will low salaried positions have to be increased, but more 'outsiders' will now have to be brought Into the higher tiered policymaking establishment." Pastora San Juan Cafferty, professor at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago, says if the needs of minorities are to be met, the entire educational structure must be changed. In the early part of this century, she says, children of immigrants could easily drop out of school and enter a job market that accepted Routine, repetitive, hard labor Jobs meshed well with newcomers who did not know the language and did not particularly need to know It for their Jobs.

But the increasingly service oriented nature of our economy makes it necessary to have solid English language skills for Hispanics and other non English speaking minorities. "The labor market has changed, but rather than develop new solutions to new situations we are constantly going back to the drawing board and doing what we were doing 50 or 100 years ago. We're stomping lur feet and grinding our teeth and saying that there's something wrong with these ds. The truth is we need to know how to ecucate the 20th century poor. We've never ed.icated the 20th century poor in this country and we've never admitted that." Cafferty says the educational system needs to work with private industry to devel op the kinds of education that will prepare students for future Jobs.

One of the problems, she says. Is that Hispanics, who have experienced the most dramatic growth In population of any other group, either don't have adequate role models or take Idealistic role models from the media. "A lot of these people have unrealistic expectations. 'They want to grow up to ba something like a computer programmer. But if they don't fulfill the lower level education, those expectations become even more unrealistic.

We may have raised a generation of Americans that do not know their limits, partly because of this Horatio Alger myth and the mass media which makes it seem so easy. We are not teaching you that there are certain limits partly set by you and partly by your environment. You're not going to be a Nobel Prize winner if you do not open a book past the age of 11." But at the same time the mass media hits children with glamorized visions of success, Caffery says minority role models show only limited success. "Why bother studying," she says, "If you see those. around you getting Jobs as disk washers and wallers?" While Hodgkinson Says Hispanics seem to be about 30 years behind blacks In terms of educational achievement (only 40 percent See EDUCATORS, page 32.