Discussing bodily changes with youth
BY SCHNEPS MEDIA
Parents to preteen
and teenage daughters
may have many things
on their minds as their
children grow older.
Young women entering
puberty are entering periods
marked by unique
physical changes, and
families may fi nd themselves
facing the topic of
menstruation and family
life before they know it.
The Canadian Women’s
Health Network
notes that research indicates
a gradual decline
in the average age of
puberty onset in North
American women, with
menstruation occurring
earlier and earlier. This
may be attributed to decreased
rates of disease
and increased nutrition.
Sandra Steingraber, a
medical researcher who
has done groundbreaking
work on the links
between environmental
health contaminants and
cancer, says puberty also
may be tied to environmental
changes, namely
exposure to endocrinedisrupting
chemicals.
Puber ty-related
physical changes may
now occur in girls as
young as 8 or 9. ObGyn.
net says that the average
age for menarche,
or fi rst menstruation,
in the United States is
age 12.16 for black girls
and 12.88 for caucasian.
Among Canadian respondents
aged 14 to 17
in the National Longitudinal
Survey of Children
and Youth, the
mean age at menarche
was 12.72 years.
Parents and young
women between the
ages of 10 and 15 should
realize that menarche
and menstruation
in general is a critical
mark in the reproductive
life of women and
should prepare for its
arrival. Menstruation
is part of a cycle of reproduction
that occurs
when the uterine lining
of blood and tissue
leaves the body because
it is not needed to cushion
a fertilized egg. A
menstrual period generally
can last between two
and seven days, and during,
an average amount
of two tablespoons of
blood is shed. An entire
menstrual cycle for girls
and teens ranges from
21 to 45 days, offers Kids
Health.
Each girl is different,
but menstruation generally
occurs within two
to four years of other
signs of puberty, such
as breast budding and
growth of underarm and
pubic hair. The American
College of Obstetricians
and Gynecologists
recommends that teenagers
schedule a fi rst gynecologic
visit between
the ages of 13 and 15,
particularly if menstruation
has started. A gynecologist
can be a good
sounding board for questions
regarding what is
normal, what to expect
in years to come, and
general health concerning
the female reproductive
system and body —
including breast health.
A gynecologist will
also spell out the ideal
times for certain testing,
which can include pelvic
exams, external genital
exams, and Pap tests.
Menstruation can be
an exciting, yet confusing
time in a young woman’s
life. Since many
young women now experience
menstruation earlier
than their mothers
may have, families may
want to discuss puberty
with their daughters
sooner than they might
have initially planned.
FAMILY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK
COUNTY OF THE BRONX
--------------------------------------------------x
In the Matter of : Docket # NN-08428-20
MIKAIL SANTANA :
: SUMMONS
A Child(ren) Under Eighteen Years :
Alleged to be Neglected by :
WENDY SANTANA :
Respondent(s) :
--------------------------------------------------x
BRONX FAMILY COURT
1-347-378-4143
PART B - CONFERENCE ID - 562049604
NOTICE: PLACEMENT OF YOUR CHILD IN FOSTER CARE MAY RESULT IN THE LOSS OF YOUR
RIGHTS TO YOUR CHILD. IF YOUR CHILD STAYS IN FOSTER CARE FOR 15 OF THE MOST RECENT
22 MONTHS, THE AGENCY MAY BE REQUIRED BY LAW TO FILE A PETITION TO TERMINATE YOUR
PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO THE
AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION. IN SOME CASES, THE AGENCY MAY FILE BEFORE
THE END OF THE 15-MONTH PERIOD. IF SEVERE OR REPEATED CHILD ABUSE IS PROVEN BY
CLEAN AND CONVINCING EVIDENCE, THIS FINDING MAY CONSTITUTE THE BASIS TO TERMINATE
YOUR PARENTAL RIGHTS AND TO COMMIT GUARDIANSHIP AND CUSTODY OF YOUR CHILD TO
THE AGENCY FOR THE PURPOSES OF ADOPTION.
TO: WENDY SANTANA
1574 BEACH AVENUE, APT. #1L
BRONX, NY 10460
A petition under ARTICLE 10 of the FAMILY COURT ACT having been filed with this court alleging that
the above-named child(ren) is a neglected child(ren), a copy of said petition being annexed hereto:
YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to appear before this court at 900 SHERIDAN AVENUE, BRONX, NY
10451, Part B, on OCTOBER 27, 2020 AT 9:30 o’clock AM of said day, to answer the petition and to
show cause why said children should not be adjudicated to be a neglected children and why you should
not be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE 10 of the FAMILY COURT ACT and why
an order of support under Section 235 of the FAMILY COURT ACT should not be made if the final
disposition is an order of placement.
On your failure to appear as herein directed, a warrant may be issued for your arrest.
FURTHER NOTICE: Family Court Act §154(c) provides that petitions brought pursuant to Articles 4,5,6,8
and 10 of the Family Court Act, in which an order of protection is sought or in which a violation of an order
of protection is alleged, may be served outside the State of New York upon a Respondent who is not a
resident or domiciliary of the State of New York. If no other grounds for obtaining personal jurisdiction
over the Respondent exist aside from the application of this provision, the exercise of personal jurisdiction
over the respondent is limited to the issue of the request for, or alleged violation of, the order of protection.
Where the Respondent has been served with this summons and petition and does not appear, the Family
Court may proceed to a hearing with respect to issuance or enforcement of the order of protection, as well
as to inquest on the underlying neglect allegations, and issue a finding in their absence.
STEVE BYRNES
CLERK OF THE FAMILY COURT
D
ated: September 8, 2020
BRONX TIMES REPORTER,58 OCTOBER 9-15, 2020 BTR
A young woman may begin to menstruate anytime between ages 10 and 15 on average.
Parents can educate their daughters of the changes to come.
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