Talking To Teenage Girls About Aggressive Driving

A new Allstate Foundation survey reports an increase in the aggressive driving among teenage girls.  82% of teens use cell phones when they drive and over 49% report that texting is a distraction for them.  The number of girls who make poor driving choices is increasing and has surpassed that of boys.  Girls are more likely to speed more than 10 mph over the limit and less likely to confront peers who exhibit risky driving.

Other interesting findings about teen girls:
    16% admit that they are aggressive drivers
    51% plan to continue using cell phones while driving
    84% will adjust music during driving

Why are girls more aggressive drivers now? We expect boys to take riskier behaviors such as racing, stunts and driving in dangerous conditions.  Girls are more apt to engage in non-driving behaviors (talking/texting on cell phones, chatting with passengers, checking their appearance in the mirror, reading) which distract them from the road.

This presents an interesting topic for parents to address with current and future teenage drivers.  Many overstressed parents are relieved when teens can drive themselves to school and activities, and make trips on behalf of the entire household.  At the same time, parents worry about the impact of decisions their teen makes while driving.  So as a concerned parent, how do you talk to your teen about his/her driving habits?

 

Have conversations about the dangers of driving distractions

Cell phones, cd/mp3 players, mirrors can all cause enough distraction to have an accident.  Suggest that your teen turns their phone off or place it in the glove box or trunk before getting into the car.  Be adamant about the fact that their safety and the safety of others is more important than missing a call or text.  Also, encourage them to check mirrors and adjust music before they start the car.  One resource to use as a family is Oprah Winfrey's No Phone Zone pledge. 

Become aware of your teenagers driving skills

The thought of riding in a car with a teenager sends most adults into a panic!  But one way to measure the driving habits of your teen is to experience it first-hand.  During the ride, take note of the positive things they do as well as any areas in need of improvement.  Discuss these at a later date, DO NOT yell, criticize, or panic while they are driving.

Be a driving role model

As a parent, you are a major influence for your teens.  What you do is more important than what you say.  Therefore, it is important to watch your own driving behavior(s).  Practicing safe driving will encourage your teen to do the same.      

 

Double Standard for Wedding Rings?

Popular media highlights the absence of a wedding ring on a married female as a sign of separation, impending divorce, and marital distress.

Woman scorned. Elin Woods is snapped without her wedding ring as she is seen…for the first time yesterday since husband Tiger admitted his infidelities. 

Actions speak louder than words and it looks like Brooke Mueller and Charlie Sheen are done…[as the] star's wife showed up…without her wedding ring.

…the first photo of Sandra Bullock without her wedding ring since her husband Jesse James' affair scandal broke.

Men on the other hand, do not receive the same scrutiny when a ring is absent.  Many married men do not own and/or do not wear wedding rings.

Does a double standard exist?  Is it customary that women wear rings and not men?  If so, are we reverting back to the historical notion that only women wear rings in order to signal that they are "taken"?

The True Meaning of Wedding Rings

Why do people wear engagement rings and wedding band?  Many theories exist as to the history of this tradition.  In American culture, rings symbolize accomplishments and celebrations. People wear rings to display children (mothers rings), graduation (class rings), commitment (promise, engagement, wedding rings), virtue (purity rings), and friendship.  The tradition of wearing rings has a long history and varies from culture to culture.

Some interesting facts about wedding rings:  
   -Women wore rings as they were property of their husband
   -Ring shapes (circles) were thought to have magical properties
   -Wedding/engagement rings are worn on the third finger of the left hand
         -frees the right hand (dominant) for work, sword fighting, etc.
         -the left hand is closest to the heart in the chest
         -Egyptians believe the 3rd finger has a straight line to the heart
   -Wedding bands cost more to produce than engagement rings, but

           retailers set prices higher on engagement rings due to consumer 

           interest

   -Average cost of engagement ring - $3,215
   -Average cost of wedding band- $1,129 (bride) & $907 (groom)
   -Most engagement rings have diamonds and more than 66% are white 

           gold  

The symbolism of wearing a wedding ring means more to some than others.  While some prefer not to wear a ring, others feel the ring is almost as important as the relationship it represents.   

                                                            

Love at First Sight

A recent study reports that women are less likely to experience "love at first sight" in comparison to men.

Researchers hypothesized that men are more likely to fall in love in the early stages of a relationship, in part to signal commitment to a female partner. 

Women likely to fall in love at first sight were those with high sex drives and/or those who were highly attracted to partners. Overall, both men and women who placed great value on attractiveness and sex were more likely to experience love at first sight. 

The results of this study demonstrate that the idea of “love at first sight” may actually be “lust at first sight.”