Valerie Michaelson – The Conversation

One student in a study said they would have loved to receive emails about school closures: ‘I always had to ask my parents. Sometimes they don’t read the emails.’ (Shutterstock)

October 23, 2023

Listening to youth voices was missing in the COVID‑19 pandemic response

Negin Riazi, University of British Columbia; Jessica A. Goddard, Brock University; Karen A. Patte, Brock University; Terrance J. Wade, Brock University, and Valerie Michaelson, Brock University

Insights from youth about COVID-19 school closures and youth exclusion from pandemic-related decisions suggest we have an opportunity to improve how we support youths’ rights.

The internet has helped teenagers continue learning and connect with others. (Aziz Achkari/Unsplash)

May 18, 2021

For teenagers, the internet helps during lockdowns but it’s no substitute for the outside world

Valerie Michaelson, Brock University; Robert Porter, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa, and Valerie Steeves, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa

Teens have acutely felt the effects of the pandemic lockdowns on their social lives. As the end of stay-at-home orders draws nearer, it’s important to consider teenagers’ social and emotional needs.

At least 54 countries prohibit the corporal punishment of children. Canada has neither prohibited corporal punishment, nor said it will. Shutterstock

November 22, 2018

Canada: What will it take to end physical punishment of children?

Valerie Michaelson, Queen's University, Ontario

Until Canadians challenge the normalization of violence against children, we will continue to support, or at least tacitly condone, something that by all accounts is harmful.

Sex-ed can equip and empower young people to make healthy and safe choices about their sexuality for themselves and for others. Simeon Jacobson/Unsplash

September 30, 2018

Sex‑ed is crucial to the rights of children

Valerie Michaelson, Queen's University, Ontario; Colleen M. Davison, Queen's University, Ontario; Pamela Dickey Young, Queen's University, Ontario, and Rebecca Jaremko Bromwich, Carleton University

The notion that religious groups are opposed to sex-ed is simply not true. And our youth need it more than ever to take control over their lives, their bodies and their decisions.

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