Stealth, Lucean McCaughin Stoner, Philip Costa……………………………………………………………………………276

Stealth

Lucean McCaughin

Podcast Transcript Welcome to my EDFE 1100 Keyword assignment in the form of podcast. I am your host and teacher candidate here at York University, Lucean Mc Caughin and today we will be exploring the word STEALTH. During this podcast, I will be sharing what stealth means and a few reasons as to why this word is relevant to Adolescent Behaviour and Development. So. What does the word STEALTH mean? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, STEALTH is defined as a noun that means a cautious, unobtrusive, and secretive way of moving or proceeding intended to avoid detection or not to attract attention. In a military context, STEALTH often describes an aircraft-design characteristic consisting of oblique angular construction and avoidance of vertical surfaces that is intended to produce a very weak radar return —usually used in association with an electronic bot or aircraft. In a medical context, STEALTH means involving or caused by an asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic infectious individual in a silent sense. Now because this relates quite broadly to the lives of teenagers, today I will talk specifically about Stealth in terms Stealth Vaping, Stealth Parenting and being Stealth as a transgender person. Vaping is a relative new phenomenon as an alternative to smoking cigarettes or tobacco. It is well documented that cigarettes and tobacco products carry toxic chemicals that lead to cancer and nicotine that is a highly addictive stimulant substance. Vaping emerged as a safer habit due to the elimination of many of the toxic chemicals and tar byproduct. It is also sometimes used as part of nicotine quitting programs when using vaping devices that allow users to adjust the dosage of nicotine. With that said, teenagers who take up the habit often wish to use

vapour devices discreetly so that family members, teachers and coworkers do not recognize their use of nicotine THC laden vapour. Enter Stealth vapour devices, low-odour and low-vapour e-juices in 2018. These devices are cleverly designed vapour devices disguised as USB sticks, pens, remote controls, car fobs, smart phones, sweatshirt drawstrings and asthma inhalers are on the market. The JUUL brand is especially popular among youth. It resembles a USB stick and was the archetype of these devices. Unfortunately, these nicotine and THC vapes are not always detectable because of the pleasant smell and flavours. They literally smell like candy, fruit or gum. So students are vaping in class, in the bathrooms on lunch breaks as well as at home without always being seen. Which would not be an issue if there was not concerning evidence linking JUUL vaping to increase nicotine addiction in teenagers. Teenagers have found that they cannot pay attention for very long, have increased or developed anxiety and frequently leave mid-classes to take hits of their vapes. The habit is quite expensive, one high schooler said he was spending around $150 dollars a week on JUUL pods alone. This is concerning and relevant as a teacher. Addiction is difficult to handle, live with and beat. It is harder to students when you don’t see what it is that is causing them to fall behind. Discussion and awareness are needed in schools.

Which leads into the next part I wanted to talk about: Stealth Parenting. So stealth parenting is a essentially monitoring your children without their knowledge. It is sort of the next level helicopter parenting tactic. In the recent past, this meant frequent looks at internet search histories, home security cameras or GPS in their phones and bags. Nowadays, parents are using ghost apps installed on new phones they give their kids to read their personal texts, listen to their calls and see what they are searching online. This goes so far as parents logging into their childrens’ social media accounts as well. This is a hot topic because it is an invasion of privacy.

With the rise of cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and grooming happening online due to the ease of access and shift away from preservation of privacy, parents are at a loss. When it comes to this, we as teachers can include discussions in-classrooms on the importance of preserving privacy online beyond stronger passwords. Sharing of real names, locations and identifiers is something that many kids don’t understand can lead to dangerous situations. It can be hard to build that trust your child and even if you do trust your child, it is hard to trust the outside world. But it is important create a space where your child knows they can come to you in good or bad situations. The final topic as is relevant to youth that I want to discuss is the idea of being stealth as a transgender person. Being stealth for a transgender person is when the individual is seen as cisgender in the gender identity they identify and does not bring attention to the fact that they are not cisgender. This is relevant since teenagers are at different points in their exploration of identity in high school. Some students aim to be noticeably queer and are proud of it. Others prefer to fly under the radar for different reasons. It can be because of concerns for their academic status or physical safety if they are in environments that do not enforce protections for transgender students and faculty. Another reason youth may want to be stealth is a way to feel affirmed in their gender. Being faced with the possibility of peers looking disrespectfully in assessment of your genitalia and question your gender can be a huge trigger for trans kids struggling with body dysphoria and depression. There is particular concern for transmen not being seen as male enough do to the absence of traditional male appendage. Locker rooms are notoriously misogynistic and competitive environments for young men. Just the idea of another guy listening to you doing your business in a stall or inspecting your junk are the urinal is anxiety inducing. This can cause pressure to conform to tradition ideas of maleness that are not attainable for many young transmasculine people. Most school board policies allow for

accommodations for transgender students on a case-by-case basis but on a whole, prosthetics are deemed inappropriate. This is especially relevant to me as a transman going into teaching. I am faced with concerns about how I will be perceived as an authority figure and peer. Some of the questions going through my mind include: Will I be taken seriously? Is it worth informing staff and students that I am trans? How do I do this professionally and without seeming attention-seeking? Am I not being authentic if I do not share this very relevant and personal part of me? I know that being open and engaging with students as my authentic self can be a huge positive experience for young folk discovering themselves or who are closeted and hopeless. I must also consider that being stealth may be necessary to protect myself. It is something I will continue to evaluate and explore as I complete this B.Ed program. Thank you for listening, I look forward to your feedback! References:

Ramamurthi, Divya, et al. “JUUL and Other Stealth Vaporisers: Hiding the Habit from Parents and Teachers.” Tobacco Control, vol. 28, no. 6, 2019, pp. 610–16, https://doi.org/10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2018-054455.

Paul, Kari. “Breaking up with My Juul: Why Quitting Vaping Is Harder than Quitting Cigarettes.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 10 Oct. 2019, www.theguardian.com/society/2019/oct/10/breaking-up-with-my-juul-why-quittingvaping-is-harder-than-quitting-cigarettes.

Erickson, Melissa. “Stealth Parent?” PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine

Subscriptions, www.pressreader.com/usa/imperial-valleypress/20210508/281947430724983.

Lythcott-Haims, Julie. “What, Me Worry? the Rise of Stealth Parenting.” Grown and Flown, 5 Apr. 2022, grownandflown.com/rise-of-stealth-parenting-which-side-of-history/.

Straayer, Chris. “Trans Men’s Stealth Aesthetics: Navigating Penile Prosthetics and ‘gender Fraud.” Journal of Visual Culture, vol. 19, no. 2, 2020, pp. 255–71, https://doi.org/10.1177/1470412920946827.

“Guidelines for the Accommodation of Transgender and Gender Independent/Non-Conforming Students and Staff.” Toronto District School Board, www.tdsb.on.ca/AboutUs/Innovation/Gender-Based-Violence-Prevention/Accommodation-of-TransgenderStudents-and-Staff.

Stoner

Philip Costa

It is no secret that many adolescents consume both alcohol and drugs, despite being underage. Although there are many different types of drugs, the one most commonly consumedis Marijuana or Cannabis. Marijuana is a plant which can be smoked or ingested, inducing psychoactive effects including a relaxed high for the user (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). The popularity of marijuana in adolescents seems to be growing, especially since its legalization in Canada, through the Cannabis Act, in October 2018 (Health Canada, 2022). An individual who chooses to consume marijuana frequently is often referred to as a ‘Stoner’.

What does the word mean and what is the term’s history?

Stoner is a slang term, which refers to an individual who regularly uses drugs (especially, marijuana).Some synonyms of the term are pothead or druggie (Merriam-Webster, n.d.). The term stoner originated from the informal term ‘stoned’ which means to be drunk or under the influence of drugs, commonly marijuana. Some sources suggest that the term stoned refers to how an individual would act if they had been hit by a stone (Kelly Pitts, 2022). This also ties to the ancient practice of pelting sinners (the stoned) with stones in order to condemn their actions. Additionally, the term stoner might have originated as those who are under the influence commonly act as passive and motionless as stones (Kelly Pitts, 2022).

Many believe the negative connotations associated with the original usage of stoner/stoned still carry over to the modern informal definition; those who consume Marijuana are viewed as lowly members of society, who do not contribute and therefore, should be shamed. These stigmas persist in the way young adolescent marijuana users are viewed today, despite the drug now being legal (MacDonald, 2022).

How does this word help us understand the experiences of young people?

Given that increasing numbers of adolescents are partaking in recreational drug use, understanding the terms used to describe those students is essential. Understanding a term like Stoner and its associated negative connotations would help future educators avoid employing critical/ judgemental views of students who choose to use drugs like marijuana frequently. Rather than jumping to the conclusion that these students are red eyed, lowlives who are lazy and do not care to participate in school, we must understand that individuals who consume marijuana recreationally (stoners) vary in personality, outlook and life circumstances. Students who choose to consume marijuana may do so for a variety of reasons, including for medical purposes, and may still be highly motivated students. They need to be seen and addressed as individuals, rather than as an inferior collective.

(Cook, 2019)

How is this word related to youth’s health and well-being?

The use of recreational drugs like marijuana in adolescents, can have severe effects on the overall health and wellbeing of students. According to the government of Ontario website, “Stoners” may experience confusion/dizziness, inability to concentrate anddrowsiness in the short term. Additionally, they may experience anxiety, fear, panic, paranoia and delusional thoughts, contributing to the mental health issues that are currently prevalent and increasing in adolescents. Furthermore, those under 25 are ata greater risk of permanent damage to their brain function (for example, concentration) with long-term Cannabis use (Government of Ontario, 2022). All of these effects may be amplified in youth because they are still growing and learning.

By understanding the term stoner, and recognizing our preconceived notions of stoners, we can begin to understand our bias and how this might impact adolescent wellbeing and health. Instead, if we become more open-minded to the reasons for drug use, and become more knowledgeable about the overall effects, we will be in a better position to understand the inside lives of adolescents and their health.

Want to Learn More?

Academic Source: American Stoner By Kelly Carter https://www.proquest.com/docview/1512427690?pqorigsite=gscholar&fromopenview=true Non-Academic Source: All My Friends Are StonersSong by Rich Hardesty

References Cook, I. (2019, February 3). 5 tricks to avoid getting red eyes from weed. Leafbuyer. Retrieved

November 6, 2022, from https://www.leafbuyer.com/blog/red-eyes-weed/

Government of Ontario. (2019, December 13). Health effects of cannabis. ontario.ca. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.ontario.ca/page/health-effectscannabis#section-1

HealthCanada. (2022, October 26). Taking stock of progress: Cannabis legalization and regulation in Canada. Canada.ca. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/engaging-cannabis-legalizationregulation-canada-taking-stock-progress/document.html

MacDonald, R. (2022, April 4). An origin story on the term "Stoner". Leafly. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.leafly.ca/news/canada/origin-story-on-the-termstoner

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Marijuana. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/marijuana

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Stoner. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stoner

Pitts , K. (2020, November 9). What it means to be a stoner: A brief history. Wikileaf. Retrieved November 6, 2022, from https://www.wikileaf.com/thestash/what-it-means-tobe-a-stoner-a-brief-history/

* Please note: all images that do not have a citation are copyright-free images from Pexels and PublicDomainPictures.net

Song Name

Suffocating

Lyrics

Verse

Let’s get it Its been on my mind once or twice I lie here and sit the dark.. all alone You told me the price of, my mind Hoping on fairytales of growing old (high) The world doesn’t need me, my breath is so constricted Worse than never feeling, oh Life seems so repeating, guess I'm little worried that I’ll slip away Chorus

I feel alone (high) each day is the same I can’t complain I'm suffocating The world is engulfing me, Honestly don’t feel like me, we’re done (Refrain) I think I'm over this lifetime, worried I can’t find I’ve searching for my own way out I dread selfish feeling, Overtaking, it makes me wanna breathe

Suffocating

Christopher Miniucci

Meaning

Adolescence can be seen as a very difficult time of growth and self-expression. There’s so much happening at once, the development of one's personal life, drama, school, changing bodies, changing life goals, etc. It can feel like one’s needs to take a breath, a second even to breathe and take it all in. Breathing can feel like a mental break, a second to ground yourself without feeling the entire world is enclosing you with the pressure of becoming a fully realized adult. It can feel exhausting like running a decathlon with all aspects of the race happening at once, demanding all limbs and energy to simply get to the perceived finish line. I personally felt I was suffocating in my adolescence, being forced to conform to a role set by my parents, seeking risk in ways to develop but never getting the taste of knowing who I truly was through trial and failure. With

school ongoing, failed romance, mental health struggles, peer/ parental pressure all while trying to truly discover who I was, and what I wanted, I felt pressured and suffocated by all the demands I was responsible for to stand on my own 2 feet. Adolescence to me can feel so overwhelming and mentally suffocating. A great song to check out would be “How Do You Know It’s Not Armadillo Shells?” By Hot Mulligan. The distress in the voice and conversations in the verses talk about the struggles and distress on trying to navigate life; a lot of conversations about finding time and understanding one's self are brought into question. Another song to check out is by a friend of mine and a local Toronto musician with an amazing talent called “Long Gone Twenty One” by Gavin McLeod, describing the burden and exhaustion that can be felt in your adolescence, trying to simply find a moment to rest before that critical moment in our lives is forever gone. An academic source to analyze on this difficult part of our adolescence can be seen in the American Journal of Orthopsychiatry titled “Mental Health in Adolescence: Is America's Youth Flourishing?”. An assessment of youths’ mental health can be seen based on depressive symptoms, substance use and measures of psychosocial functioning. Overall the paper examines the increased need for mental health focus in our adolescence. The paper outlines the many factors contributing to the feeling of suffocation and overload while in adolescence and its effect on the positive development of youth into adults.

References

Keyes, C. L. M. (2006). Mental Health in Adolescence: Is America’s Youth Flourishing? American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 76(3), 395–402. https://doi.org/10.1037/0002-9 432.76.3.395