Jim Liebelt

Senior Writer, Editor and Researcher for the HomeWord Center for Youth and Family at Azusa Pacific University

Jim is Senior Writer, Editor and Researcher for HomeWord . Jim has over 40 years of experience as a youth and family ministry specialist, and has been on the HomeWord staff since 1998. He has served over the years as a pastor, author, youth ministry trainer, adjunct college instructor and speaker. Jim’s culture blog and parenting articles appear on HomeWord.com. Jim is a contributing author of culture and parenting articles to Crosswalk.com. Jim and his wife Jenny live in Quincy, MA.

What's Hot? 03/29/24

A weekly listing of hot cultural items from the Internet, music, television, and movies.

What's Hot? 03/29/24

More Than Money, Family and Community Bonds Prep Teens for College Success

Building “family social capital” during the teen years dramatically boosts an adolescent’s chances of eventually completing college, according to a...

More Than Money, Family and Community Bonds Prep Teens for College Success

What's Hot? 03/22/24

A weekly listing of hot cultural items from the Internet, music, television, and movies.

What's Hot? 03/22/24

Medical Costs for Kids' Mental Health Jumped 31% in 5 Years

The cost to American families of caring for a child with a mental health condition jumped by almost a third between 2017 and 2021.

Medical Costs for Kids' Mental Health Jumped 31% in 5 Years

Teen Pregnancy May Raise Risk of Early Death

Teen pregnancy can change the trajectory of one's life, but now a new study suggests it could also shorten that life.

Teen Pregnancy May Raise Risk of Early Death

More Than a Third of Teens Say They Spend Too Much Time on Their Phones

The always-online generation may be starting to unplug a bit.

More Than a Third of Teens Say They Spend Too Much Time on Their Phones

Loneliness And Depression In Teens Linked To Lack Of Sleep And Early School Start Times

According to a new survey, teenagers who wake up early for school, sleep less than eight hours per night or spend time on their electronic devices...

Loneliness And Depression In Teens Linked To Lack Of Sleep And Early School Start Times

Waist-to-Height Ratio Detects Fat Obesity in Children and Adolescents Significantly Better than BMI

An inexpensive measure of obesity in children and adolescents that could replace body mass index (BMI) has been identified in a new study as waist...

Waist-to-Height Ratio Detects Fat Obesity in Children and Adolescents Significantly Better than BMI

What's Hot? 03/08/24

A weekly listing of hot cultural items from the Internet, music, television, and movies.

What's Hot? 03/08/24

Peer Pressure Susceptibility Lasts Into Adulthood

In a new study, researchers found that the influence of peer pressure continues into early adulthood, while middle-aged and older adults are better...

Peer Pressure Susceptibility Lasts Into Adulthood

Being Excluded or Truant From School Leads to Mental Health Problems—and Vice Versa

New research examines whether mental health leads to exclusion and truancy, or whether exclusion and truancy are in fact contributing to poor...

Being Excluded or Truant From School Leads to Mental Health Problems—and Vice Versa

Stressed Parents Could Mean More Self-Harm by Kids

Teens have a higher risk of self-injury -- deliberately cutting or burning themselves -- if they have a fraught relationship with a struggling...

Stressed Parents Could Mean More Self-Harm by Kids

Schools Focusing on Grades Over Learning See More Violence Against Teachers

A new study finds that schools which place higher focus on test scores and bottom-line results instead of student learning are more likely to see...

Schools Focusing on Grades Over Learning See More Violence Against Teachers

What's Hot? 03/01/24

A weekly listing of hot cultural items from the Internet, music, television, and movies.

What's Hot? 03/01/24

Teens Benefit From 'Forest Bathing' -- Even in Cities

A new study suggests that forest bathing, the simple method of being calm and quiet amongst the trees, observing nature around you while breathing...

February 29, 2024

Teens Benefit From 'Forest Bathing' -- Even in Cities

Antidepressant Dispensing to Adolescents and Young Adults Surged During Pandemic

Antidepressant dispensing to adolescents and young adults increased sharply after the COVID-19 pandemic began—particularly among females—a new...

February 28, 2024

Antidepressant Dispensing to Adolescents and Young Adults Surged During Pandemic

Physical Fitness in Adolescence Linked to Less Atherosclerosis in Middle Age

Men who were physically fit when they were young had a lower risk of atherosclerosis almost 40 years later, according to a study led by researchers...

February 27, 2024

Physical Fitness in Adolescence Linked to Less Atherosclerosis in Middle Age

Earbuds, Headphones a Rising Threat to Kids Hearing

Many younger children could be permanently damaging their hearing by blasting loud music on their earbuds and headphones, a new report finds.

February 26, 2024

Earbuds, Headphones a Rising Threat to Kids Hearing