A teen shares how adults shape gender roles. Listen to From the Source podcast.

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S4: Where local teens voice their passions, concerns and prospects. Catch up with the kids these days.

We're back with a brand new episode of From the Source podcast, another exclusive peek into the episode and a sit-down with our K-12 education reporter! Every other Wednesday, I bring you new voices from Pittsburgh-area teens, who contributed their opinions and ideas for solutions to the critical issues they feel are shaping youth culture today.

Today, you'll meet Tierra, a spunky, outgoing high school senior with a lot of thoughts about why adults need to be more upfront with teens in conversations about sex and sexuality.

Hear the episode and let me know what you think. We'll be back with this newsletter in a few weeks, too.

As always, stay safe, be well and thanks for listening,
Jourdan Hicks, your host
Birds, bees and double standards

One teen speaks on how gender roles are framed by adults
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In the season's third episode, Woodland Hills High School senior Tierra Bush discusses how she views the differences in how boys and girls are groomed to behave and what that means within the larger context of sex, sexuality and sexual safety. She shares her experiences and challenges coming of age, and the advice she has for parents and teens when discussing sex safety.
LISTEN TO THE EPISODE ([link removed])
Read related stories:
* Listen to Black girls. They know what they need best. ([link removed])
* Dear parents: Sexual violence is a reality on college campuses. Here’s what you should know and how you can respond. ([link removed])
* Mental illness and teens: It’s hard to tell who is joking and who is crying for help. What’s my responsibility? ([link removed])

FROM THE SEASON

The Teens Speak
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** Episode 2: A freshman’s take on teen mental health 101, and spoiler, it’s not constant positivity ([link removed])
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** Episode 1: These teens are fighting to change the rhetoric and reality around youth violence in the Pittsburgh area ([link removed])
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Hear the episodes ([link removed])
Conscious & Curious

Meet Lajja ([link removed]) Mistry, PublicSource's K-12 education reporter who writes about Pittsburgh's schools, youth and educational landscape.
For today's newsletter, Lajja answered a few questions about her teen self and why she's so passionate about mental health.
* List 3 words to describe yourself as a teen.
Shy, self-conscious and curious.

* What would you tell your 14-year-old self about mental health?
You should not have had to normalize your anxiety and that pit in your stomach or the pounding in your chest. The world may not understand how you feel, but you will eventually learn to take care of yourself.
* At what age did you start to prioritize your mental health, and why?
Quite later than I should have. I started prioritizing my mental health in my final college years, around age 20. I took a few psychology classes in high school and college and began recognizing patterns and behaviors that impacted my mental health. It was only then I decided to go for counseling.

* What makes you so passionate about mental health?
It’s the same as taking care of your physical health. For a long time, I thought that my anxiety was normal even when I had physical symptoms. It’s important to be aware of it and take care of myself. I do not want that to become a permanent part of my life.
* You're new to Pittsburgh and its infinite grey skies, which can have an impact on mental health. How do you maintain, or improve your mental health?
Indulging in any kind of art — painting or singing usually lifts my mood. Creating postcards and sending them to my loved ones also works wonders for my mental health.

Signing off...

So far this season we've talked about some of the biggest challenges facing this generation. We've also spotlighted solutions from the people who will shape tomorrow. We want to keep the conversation going. What table talks are you having?

Share this letter with a Pittsburgh family you love, and send us the names of your favorite Pittsburgh teen. They may just end up on an episode of From the Source ([link removed]) .

See you next time,
Jourdan

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