A twitter campaign backed by authors from the Guardian, a petition hosted by Change.org, and GLAAD (an LGBT media monitoring agency) among others, #GiveElsaAGirlfriend is demanding that Disney 'improve its record on representing LGBT people' by giving Frozen's Queen Elsa a girlfriend, turning her into a lesbian in the upcoming sequel currently in production. Frozen is the "highest-grossing animated film" of all time so its influence and ability to reach into the hearts and minds of children cannot be taken lightly. Click here to join the 37,000 others who've signed a counter petition, voting NO to giving Queen Elsa a girlfriend in Frozen 2.
Media outlets, especially television and movies, play a substantial role in the lives of children and adolescents. View the ACPeds position statement The Media, Children and Adolescents for information on the impact of the media on child and adolescent behavior and well being. Consider sharing on your social media pages and/or practice website.
Teen Pregnancy Update: US Teen Birth Rate at Record Low
According to a CDC report, the birth rate for teens aged 15-19 declined 41% between 2006 and 2014. In addition to the promotion and use of effective birth control, contributing to this decline is the growing tendency among teens to delay the start of sexual activity. Despite the progress, continued efforts are needed to further reduce teen pregnancy rates. US teen pregnancy rates, teen abortion rates and teen STD rates are still substantially higher than those of other western industrialized nations.
One thing is for sure: prevention is key. In honor of May as National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, the Healthy Teen Network (HTN) will host a Twitter Chat next Thursday, May 19, at 2:00 PM EST. Entitled "Moving Beyond Prevention to Holistic Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health," HTN hopes to facilitate discussion about holistic health promotion and supporting young people to lead healthy sexual and reproductive lives. Click here for more information.
For sharing on social media and/or your practice website: The following resources pertaining to adolescent sexual activity are available at ACPeds.org
When we are hurt by others and choose not to forgive them, regardless of whether or not they ask for our forgiveness, we are the ones who suffer. Choosing not to forgive places a burden on a person's heart that can prevent them from moving on with their lives.
Children must be taught that forgiveness can remove that burden and replace it with peace, allowing them to move on from the hurt.
For more on teaching forgiveness, click here and leave a comment. We love to hear from you!
A new blog article is published each Monday at ACPeds.org/Blog. Click here to subscribe. Consider sharing the blog to your social media pages each week. The more people we reach, the more people we can help.
Don't hesitate to contact us with your questions and comments. We look forward to hearing from you.
Choosing not to forgive places a burden on a person's heart that can prevent them from moving on with their lives. 
