Trust teens as leaders, don’t treat them as problems

By: Ursula Walls

Outlets: Arkansas Advocate

Published: May 5, 2026

Words: 745

Last Updated: 2 months, 3 weeks ago

Adults can spend a lot of time talking about the challenges our youth face.

In Arkansas, we can cite the statistics: we have one of the highest teen birth rates in the country. High rates of sexually transmitted infections. Rising concerns about anxiety, depression and suicide.

What can we do to improve these dismal statistics? Let’s start at the source. Let’s start by asking the ones these statistics are about: the …

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