Uhlich followed up the survey, done early this year, with several focus groups involving local teenagers. They helped explain why the grades are woeful. It's hard to believe there are so many adults in parking lots of liquor stores who take a little extra money to buy alcohol for kids. Jamie Calara, a Lane Tech senior and focus group participant, said the ease of access extends to recreational drugs. Vanden Berk said teenage depression is another unknown for many parents and adults.
High school is a time of stress.
You realize who your friends are. You're on the brink of becoming an adult. You think about your future. The conflict with parents can be unbelievable. Rumak urges parents not to give up trying to communicate with their teenage daughters and sons.