Nearly a quarter of girls aged 14 self harm

IAmLurkacus wrote: the children’s society doesn’t know the difference between sex and gender. We really are doomed.

I noticed that but was trying to not be permanently cross today and take some comfort from the fact that austerity does get a mention. However, as all of the analysis is based on Millennium Cohort Study, Wave 6, 2015 (when children were aged 14) I am apprehensive about the outcome of further analyses.

Had a conversation about this recently, there seems to be so much stress placed on kids now days- someone I know- her child got told their expected gcse grades at the end of their FIRST year in secondary school. It’s just ludicrous. Kids having panic attacks about gcse grades it’s all just too much. When I said to someone I’m just not going to enter into all the exam stress- as in I would say to Ours-pick subjects you like and enjoy and have some ability in, try your best and see how it goes, the reply was along the lines of- well you can’t the schools pile on so much pressure now daily that the kids just can’t take it- they are there most do the time. I have also heard people say that they feel it’s unhelpful for self harm as a concept in secondary school to be spoken about as part of curriculum. That they saw a rise in kids harming in that school year after that point. I wonder if there is any relationship.

Ffs the children’s society doesn’t know the difference between sex and gender. We really are doomed.

Thanks for the link though.

Ah.
My dd self harmed, cutting and od's

Met all the female stereotypes. Good home, loving family, bright, good schools. No problems except low self esteem.

Had nothing to do with any of this. She had undiagnosed ADD. Once diagnosed and medication available problem solved.

What support was there: nada, zilch, nothing. CAMHS focussed on possible social/parenting issues. No ability at all to diagnose or look firther than the ends of their noses.

That said I do think there is too much emphasis on academics now. When I was at school 40 years ago the day dreamers happily became secretaries or cordon bleu cooks.

A brief scamper through (when I really should be reading something else) reveals the question was:

In the past year have you hurt yourself on purpose in any way?
[Note on how the question was asked which indicates no indication as to nature or degree of harm involved.] This question also used a ‘yes-no’ format.

The relevant report (which should cover definition of self-harming etc.) is available for download from Children's Society: The Good Childhood Report 2018

Austerity receives some much-needed emphasis in the summary report etc.

I'm sure confusion around sexuality can lead to self harming but agree there are lots of other causes. Most of the cases I see are children who have suffered abuse or neglect (but that's because most of the children I work with have suffered abuse or neglect)

Another one who would like to know what the definition of self-harming is.

Posted too soon,,,
It is unsurprising that girls resort to self harm when we are failing to protect or safeguard them from toxic influences.

Another who is not surprised. I think social media has resulted in us collectively eroding boundaries for children.
Back on the day there was an understanding of 'age inappropriate' materials and young children who had accessed porn / sexual activity when young were routinely referred under child protection guidelines.
Now children access porn and age inappropriate ideas / materials routinely via their phones. And the government funds groups promoting adult concepts like 'changing sex' and regressive sexual stereotypes to children far too young to appreciate the nuances and related issues. Childhood has become the recruiting ground for porn soaked men to find their future targets while everyone stands by watching and enabling.

As a teacher I am not surprised, but very angry that there is so little support for girls. The disappearance of single sex organisations such as Guides is an issue, as I believe it is very important for girls to have friendships outside of school and be able to speak to older teenage girls or young women, in a safe space. Schools are not providing that, and are reinforcing the idea that sexual harassment is 'just what boys do'. Porn culture has a lot to answer for, and it should be condemned in the strongest terms. Out of curiosity, I wonder if girls fare better emotionally in single-sex schools? Are there studies on this?

I am shocked that people are shocked at these findings. Self harm is endemic in our schools and has been for a least a decade

Interesting about the skin picking. I thought the same thing.

I pick the skin around my nails. When I’m really anxious the skin on my feet too to the extent it’s hurts to walk!

I wonder if this counts. I have done it for years.

I wonder what the definition of self harm is

It also breaks my heart and I think life is so hard for young women these days

Personally I think there is a sex difference too. I think so many young people are feeling the pressure - but boys are more likely to lash out, and be violent to others, girls are more likely to self-harm.

That is a staggering figure - but I'm unsurprised. Members of my family have been affected by this, and it's heartbreaking. One of my close female relatives has scars - bad scarring that will never go.

I think the pressure on young women (all young people in fact) is so intense, and can be intensified by social media. I was quite vulnerable and isolated as a young teen, and immersed myself in books, films and music as a result. I dread to think how certain websites would have impacted on me at that age.

I also read something yesterday about Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg etc not letting their kids spend a lot of time on-line. Something like "They fill their houses with books, while we buy our children their electronic devices, and let them on their websites (making them rich...)" I don't know how valid that is, but it made me think.

My personal observations are that once pro-ana websites started being shut down/tackled self harm (cutting) increased. Once this has started to be addressed binding/F2M has increased.

I went to school in the 90’s and there’s was some self harm then but nothing on the scale I’ve witnessed as my own children went through secondary.

I also think social media has massively driven the current MH crisis and therefore the self harm epidemic

Has self harming always been a problem?
I don’t recall it from when I was young in the 70s and 80s but perhaps it just wasn’t talked about.

Yes - gender transition - NHS funded self harm.

Sadly I think 1/4 is an underestimate, I’d’ve put it at 1/3, or perhaps I just live in an area where it’s particularly rife and school/parents deal with it via denial and yes, yes to PP who asked if binding was included in this figure

My daughter falls into this category.

Am following for advice about management - so far all we have is kindness, giving her combs instead of blades and talking/space as required. Lots of guesswork - she says she doesn't know why she does it.

I wonder what counts as self harm for this survey? I pick at the skin around my nails (it has a name, I forget) and it's true I do it more when anxious (or bored) . It technically counts as self harming but I don't really do myself any harm and I don't consider myself unhappy or anxious generally.