With a string of teen
suicides in Colorado, the Media Resource Center has had requests for tapes on
teen issues. We have many excellent
teen video series that cover such topics as loneliness, racism, self-image,
stress, suicide and so much more. They
are designed for youth groups, but are also effective when watched by a child
with his/her parent because they promote communication and give everyone who
watches them a lot to think about.
How many times have
you told a teenager how lucky they have it?
That these are the best years of their lives?
Try to remember what junior high and high school were really like –
peer pressure, raging hormones, insecurities, exams – add to that school
shootings, the AIDs epidemic, Ecstasy, terrorist attacks and war.
If you were going to school today and you were told that these are the
best years of your life, what would you think?
It’s a scary world out there.
Following are some of the tapes and tape series for and about teens in the Media Resource Center. The producers of one of the series offers the following advice which should apply to all video presentations: “This video program deals with sensitive issues and does not supply conclusions. Preview this program before use. Prepare your discussion leaders using the accompanying guide. Use these presentations only when accompanied by a careful debriefing time.” This is always good advice.
The
Power Surge – Hot Topics for Teens
is a 15-tape series. Each tape
is only 16 minutes long, but includes an amazing amount of information.
Teens talking to teens about their own personal experiences.
The topics in this series are Loneliness, Divorce, Drugs, Friends,
Racism, Parents, Rock‘n Roll, Self-Image, Stress, Depression, Dating,
Alcohol, AIDs/STDs, Suicide and Sex.
The
On The Air
series is made up of 5 tapes. In “I
Am Not Angry!!!”
learn how your anger can affect you and what you can do about it.
In “The
Blame Game”
learn about the danger of always blaming others.
In “Passport
to the World: Nicaragua”
discover the excitement of leaving your comfort zone and stepping out for
Jesus. In “Can
I Be a Christian Without Being Weird?”
learn
that Christian behavior should be unique, but not obnoxious. And “Racism:
Going Color Blind”
is a challenge to think and do something about race issues in your own life.
These tapes are approximately 25 minutes long
Hot Talk-Starter - Each video in this series designed to get teenagers talking presents four hot topics guaranteed to start discussions and get kids exploring biblical answers to controversy. A complete leaders guide is included for topics like gangs, suicide, gay rights and teenage pregnancy.
Tape 1: Teen Suicide; An Atheist’s Belief; Dating: He Says/She Says; Teenagers in the KKK.
Tape 2: Pregnant Teenager; R-Rated Movies; What's A Monk; Hooked on Gambling.
Tape 3: The Rapture of 1992; Underage Smoker; A Visit to a New Age Store; The Gang Life.
Tape
4:
Gay Rights; Palm Reading; Body Image: Glamour Shots; Homeless Teenagers.
Club
Connect - Using a blend of personal stories and information,
Club Connect explores common teen fears, such as fear of rejection, fear of
failure, and the uneasiness of asking someone out on a date, and offers tips
for how to overcome them.
A
Letter from Brian
brings the AIDs problem very close. Teens
discuss sexual activity and how to protect themselves in frank terms.
Emphasis on knowing the facts and thinking through consequences.
It's okay to say no to drugs and sex.
To
Whom It May Concern
will help to confront teen suicide by increasing public awareness of the
problem; increase sensitivity and understanding of teen distress; enhance
responding skills; broaden awareness of prevention measures.
Spread
the Word: Teens Talk to Teens About AIDS - This
video, narrated by popular teenaged TV star Jaleel White from 'Family
Matters', documents activities of teenagers involved in the AIDS epidemic.
It covers the third unfolding of the AIDS Memorial quilt in
Washington, D.C., and the journey of six deaf teens that have made a quilt
panel to commemorate the life of their teacher.
It also contains the last interview by Ryan White before his death
from AIDS and chronicles the stories of two young people who contracted the
disease as teenagers.
One
to One: The Generation Connection - A
group of 16-18 year olds come face-to-face for the first time with as many
70-80 year olds. Through a
series of interactions, the individuals in the two groups explore many
issues including their perceptions about the role of both older adults and
teens in society, the 'generation gap', self esteem, goal setting, family
issues, death, and the aging process. Enables
us to see the wisdom and individuality of older adults, and also reveals the
perceptions, fears, and potential of young adults.
The Biggest and the Best offers three discussion starter films on three of the biggest problems confronting teens: peer pressure, love, and self-image. These short dramatic presentations will help young people evaluate the truth and the deception they face every day. Face Value: Winner of 5 international film awards is a provocative look at peer pressure that asks: In succumbing to the pressure, am I really being accepted, or am I just lying to the person I was meant to be?' (10 min) Heart Burn: Challenges teens to examine some common misconceptions about love, and to develop their own definitions of true and unconditional love. (10 min) Eagle Beak: Helps teens see that self-image is often founded on wrong input that can work to make us our own worst enemies. (6 min)
HiTops
– This
live production from the original musical play within a play is based on
teenagers dealing with peer pressures, right or wrong choices, and how teens
feel about themselves.
Portraits describes the quandary of a teenaged girl who has been asked to submit a self-portrait as a class assignment. As she tries to choose among the different versions she has drawn, she struggles to uncover which of these portraits reveals her true self. Series of flashbacks to her everyday life illustrate different aspects of her developing personality.
To find more videos on specific topics go to our online media catalog, and type your topic in the “Description” slot, then hit the “Search” button. You’ll get a list of videos that contain your topic word in their description.
Rocky Mountain Conference of
the United Methodist Church
6110 Greenwood Plaza Blvd.
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
303-733-3736 ext 100
1-800-536-3736 ext 100
Netta@rmcumc.com