How many times have you compared yourself to others? We know a lot of teens who have compared themselves to others plenty of times, especially when it comes to school and outward appearances. Many of us (adults included) have done it at some point in our lives. But how would your life be different if you stopped comparing yourself to others?

Education about race, class, language, and ethnicity, and their roles in society should be a critical part of every school’s curriculum. We need a curriculum that represents all people. We must seek opportunities to strengthen the diversity of all our communities and cultures.

Did you know the majority of high school students in the United States aren’t required to take a personal finance class? Though high schools offer courses in language arts, sciences, math, & technology, we believe a money management class is essential and should be part of the curriculum. Teens need to understand how to save and plan for their future. Learning how to manage money is a valuable skill.

Have you ever gotten to a point in your life where you felt you needed to play the part, look the part, and be the part? Have there been days when you tried hard to be the “perfect” someone else and not you?

For teens, how you feel first thing Monday morning determines if you’re in the right mindset or not. Many friends I know ask, "Hey, how was your weekend?" “Can't believe it's Monday. I hate Mondays." It’s like every other day, right? However, Mondays can mean different things to different people.

Diversity in entertainment does sell. However, the tv and film industry continues to fall short. Audiences want to see more diverse characters on the screen — not just the roles that portray cultural stereotypes. We want to see more representation of all cultures. One that reflects the world we see in our daily lives. Listen to what we as teens have to say about this issue.

Listen to Part 2. Gender roles, norms, and stereotypes are prevalent in all age groups. Since birth, we’re told what colors to like, what type of activities we should do, and what was classified as “girl things” and “guy things”. These standards exist worldwide but vary depending on culture. Why? Today, we’ll explore more as "Battle of the Sexes" continues.

Gender roles, norms, and stereotypes are prevalent in all age groups. Since birth, we’re told what colors to like, what type of activities we should do, and what is classified as “girl things” and “guy things”. These standards exist worldwide but vary depending on culture. Why? Today, we’ll explore the fundamental differences between male and female brains, and how it affects us daily.

Acceptance is a relatively simple word yet has an immensely complex role in our society. Every person we meet will be subconsciously evaluated by someone, from closest friends to simple acquaintances. This is especially true in the high school years. Learning to overlook differences in others has become part of our culture. How can we do better? How can we accept the differences all people bring?

We’re talking about the pressures teens put on themselves to be at the top. A common cause of stress includes the pressures of achieving excellent grades, extracurricular involvement, and practicing social skills. Teens are experiencing high levels of depression and anxiety.