Parenting Stories that made Headlines in 2013

The year 2013 has been a year of exciting news and developments in the world of parenting. The big topics that make headlines in parenting news stories included debate about gun safety laws, autism diagnosis, and record low teen birth rate. Read on to find out the top five stories that highlighted parents in the news.

Newtown school shooting led to gun safety debate

There has been an escalating debate about gun safety on national level following the horrific gun shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. The main participants and initiators of the debate were parents. They hosted an event in which Vice President Joe Biden talked about the need for measures to control gun violence in the country. This was pushed by President Obama who tasked the Vice President to provide legislative gun-safety proposal.

The efforts gained momentum when the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) pushed the issue in Congress and sought a legislation to ban assault weapons, and make background checks mandatory before purchasing firearms. The organization conducted a research on child victims of gun shooting. According to the statistics, estimated 500 children are killed and 7,500 injured each year by gunshots.

Alarming figures of Autism among American kids

In 2012, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that one in 88 children in United States of America have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Later, in March 2013, National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) reported that one in 50 kids suffer from autism. Among them, boys are four times more vulnerable to the disease than girls, making the situation alarming for parents.

 

Lowest teen birth rate recorded

Teen pregnancy is a major issue faced by the American society. Lots of babies are given up for adoption every year or usually parents of teens end up raising their kids. This creates financial disparity within the family and society. But good news is that the teen birth rate was recorded at the lowest in 2013. In the last 73 years, since social agencies and researchers started collecting teen pregnancy data, a decline of 29.4 births per thousand was recorded in 48 states. This news comes as relief for parents, who can manage to provide a decent life to their teens.

 

Victory: Boy scouts open for gay members

Finally, Boy Scouts of USA has opened its arms to the gay community. The Boy Scouts of America’s National Council voted in favor of allowing openly gay boys to become members. This is a huge step in recognizing and accepting a section of young boys and teens that have been marginalized for long. This is good news for parents as well, who don’t have to worry about exploitation of their sons’ sexual identity.

 

Finally, sports injuries get some attention

It has been estimated that 1.35 million kids and teens in the country are taken to the emergency room every year for the injuries – minor and major – they sustain while playing a sport. In respect of the large number of kids going in and out of emergency every day, the American Academy of Neurology gave new guidelines that make it mandatory for kids and teens who have sustained concussion or injury, to sit on the bench and get evaluated by a medical professional before resuming the play.

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