Teachers Spend A Staggering Amount Buying School Supplies

Find out just how much teachers pay for classroom supplies PLUS: How AI is changing the role of parents, and why some boys are 'testosterone maxxing'

Hi Readers!

• I’m Christopher Pepper, an award-winning health educator and journalist. During the week, I send out editions of my Teen Health Today newsletter that are free for all to read - the most recent is How To Raise Confident, Caring Boys.

• In addition, on Sundays I send out curated collections of thought-provoking essays and news stories like the one you are reading right now. Think of me as your friend who keeps up with everything and sends you the most interesting stuff.

• Some parts of these news roundups are for subscribers only. Don’t worry and please don‘t hit unsubscribe: the posts I send mid-week will remain free for all. And if you want a paid subscription but can’t afford it, just hit reply and ask!

I LOVE AND APPRECIATE the folks who pitch in a little bit to keep this newsletter going. Thank you!

Ready to sign up? Use the link below to take advantage of this sale!

---

In this edition:

• Having Difficult Talks With Your Son Should Happen Sooner Than You Might Think, Expert Says

• Teachers Spend A Staggering Amount on School Supplies. See Just How Much.

• Parents, Your Job Has Changed in the A.I. Era

• Don’t Panic Over Porn! Here’s How To Have An Age-Appropriate And Shame-Free Talk With Your Kids

• He Made a Friend on Roblox. Their Relationship Turned Sinister

• Shocked By Epstein’s Birthday Book? That Culture Was Everywhere Before Feminism

• Why Some Teen Boys Are Turning to 'Testosterone Maxxing'

---

Having Difficult Talks With Your Son Should Happen Sooner Than You Might Think, Expert Says (CNN)

By Don Riddell: I’ve loved every second of being a dad to twin boys, but parenting is a responsibility that comes with multiple challenges. Since my sons have just left for college, I’m now reflecting on the job my wife and I have done and how much more work might still be ahead.

Some challenges we faced were brand-new: This is the first generation that has had to navigate the advent of social media, with a pandemic lockdown thrown in for good measure. A job that was already difficult for parents of adolescent boys now seems to be even harder.

An increasing number of boys are lonely, isolated and confused, wrestling with the aftermath of the #MeToo movement and the expectations of rigid masculinity, which has been widely characterized as toxic. Many have either lost or never had the ability to express themselves in a constructive way.

Middle and high school educator

Christopher Pepper

and coauthor

Joanna Schroeder

hope their new book, Talk to Your Boys: 16 Conversations to Help Tweens and Teens Grow Into Confident, Caring Young Men, will provide families with the tools to help. READ MORE

---

Teachers Spend A Staggering Amount on School Supplies. See Just How Much. (USA Today)

By Madeline Mitchell, Carlie Procell, Bethany Rodgers, Jennifer Cortez, Ramon Padilla: During the 2024-25 school year, teachers spent, on average, $884 of their own money − $3.35 billion total − on cleaning supplies, prizes, snacks, decorations, books, pens, paper, hand sanitizer and more, according to My eLearning World. A survey from Adopt A Classroom found teachers on average spent $895 out of pocket on school supplies − a 49% increase since 2015.