Marconi 1

Nick Marconi
Mr. Newman
English 101: Rhetoric
19 September 2014
Statement of Scope for the Annotated Bibliography
Teen expression is something that every family with a teenager goes through at some
point in time. While some teens express themselves positively, others tend to paint a more
negative picture of themselves. A growing debate in our society is whether parents should
become more involved in their teens lives. Most parents fear that their involvement will push
their child away from them, causing them to do things they know are wrong. Some argue that
teens need to be left alone to figure out right from wrong. Parents that agree with this are ones
who may not have a strong relationship with their teen. However, many argue that parents need
to talk with their teenagers about the risks of their actions. Although some parents may
encourage their teen to explore their interests to express themselves, those actions often times
lead to serious consequences.
This essay will describe the important issues involved with teen expression. All parents
should encourage their teens to be who they are, but they should also be able to influence them
to make the right decision in a difficult situation. These situations range all the way from teen
pregnancy to underage drinking, which are affecting more and more teens all the time. I will
discuss what parents are doing right for their teens, as well as what they are doing wrong.
Another discussion will be the good that comes from overbearing parents. Teens who have had
overbearing parents have shown to become very successful people later in life.
This selected bibliography includes sources that state alarming teen pregnancy rates, the
growing trend of underage drinking, disrespectful behavior of teens, but also the benefits of
parent involvement. Whitehouses article explains the trend of teens posting pictures of underage
drinking to Twitter and other social media and how more teens are beginning to think it is
acceptable. The Lyles article discusses the shocking teen pregnancy rate and the fact that many
teens are engaging in unsafe sex. Rameys article describes the rude and disrespectful behavior
of a teenage girl, which is an example of the behavior of a large amount of teens across the
country. An interesting article from USA Today New York explains the positive influence of
helicopter parenting and gives examples of how parents can talk to their teens about life issues.
Finally, Home News Tribune in East Brunswick, NJ published an article debates whether
overbearing parents are too close or have too much control with their teen.

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Annotated Bibliography
Anonymous. Helicopter Parenting Can Be a Good Thing. USA Today [New York] 1
May 2010: n. pag. eLibrary. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. This article explains how helicopter
parenting, which means parents are involved in their teenagers lives, can actually be a
positive thing for their teen. Parenting like this can result in their teen being more
successful later in life. In conclusion, this article gives insight to parents that it is okay for
them the be involved with their kids lives.
Issue: Are We Too Close to Our Children. Home News Tribune [East Brunswick, NJ] 3
Mar. 2013: n. pag. eLibrary. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. This article argues the issue of whether
parents are too close with their children or not. It describes how over the years parents are
becoming more and more involved in their kids lives. Furthermore, a big topic of the
article is the question of parents being close with their children or in control of them.
Lyles, Vincent. Continuing the Battle against Milwaukees Teen Pregnancy Rate; From
Backpacks to Briefcases. Milwaukee Courier [Milwaukee] 6 Dec. 2013: n. pag.
eLibrary. Web. 16 Sept. 2014. In this article, Vincent Lyles describes the alarming teen
pregnancy rate in Milwaukee, WI. He provides statistics and explains how the situation
has tried to be managed over the years. Furthermore, Lyles states that parents need to talk
to their teenagers about safe sex and hear what their teens have to say.
Ramey, Gregory. Is Teens Rudeness, Disrespectful Behavior Just a Phase? Dayton
Daily News [Dayton, OH] 2 June 2013: n. pag. eLibrary. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. This article
describes the rude behavior of a thirteen year old girl named Emma. Ramey explains how
he studied Emma and her parents behavior during the family therapy session he held
with the family. In conclusion, Ramey states that parents with children like Emma need

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to set and enforce standards for their teenager before they do something they regret.
Whitehouse, Beth. Risky Business Twitter Photos of Teens Drinking Have Parents Asking
What They Should Do. Newsday 2 Apr. 2014: n. pag. eLibrary. Web. 15 Sept. 2014. In this
article, Beth Whitehouse explains the growing Twitter trend of teens posting photos of
themselves involved in underage drinking. She goes on to describe how parents are now asking
how to stop their teens behavior and how how schools have little say in punishment for out-ofschool activities. Whitehouse concludes by giving some insight to how parents can change this
behavior by talking with their child on a regular basis.