Sadly, The Real Issue

The MyMac water-cooler conversation this week at times revolved around the SuperBowl halftime show. I didn’t see it live as I was channel surfing at the time. However, once I did see the “moment”, I came to the following conclusion:

The bigger issue is that teeny-boppers (9-13 yr olds) saw Justin grabbed at her breast. This plants a seed for girls that it is ok to let boys do it.
That is unacceptable and sets a dangerous example.

One of my fellow MyMac writers responded:

“I think you give teenagers too little credit, and underestimate their
parents as well. Especially on this one given all the noise about it. I also
think you underestimate today’s teenagers, many who are probably already
being grabbed with the girls permission!”

My comment to the reply is this:

I spend a fair amount of time with my Catholic school students at various gatherings of students in the Portland metro area. What I have seen and what you would see would blow your mind. Most kids are so sexualized that they see nothing wrong and gladly imitate clowns like Justin and Janet. Around adults in private they profess agreement, but with friends their actions speak volumes. Our society is getting more crass all the time. Did you know that in a large survey last year most teen girls thought oral sex wasn’t a big deal? Shows how one act (Clinton) and its media coverage can affect our young people.

I am very thankful that the kids I teach at my country parochial school are so blissfully ignorant and unaccepting of this behavior. I do attribute a part of it to being a small k-8 school (125 students). And the fact that the kids are taught from the early grades that as they get into the upper grades they are models for the younger students. But much of their attitude comes from their parents who don’t let the TV dominate their lives; talk/listen to their kids, and set limits and expectations.

There is a time and place for everything that is curently shown on TV nowadays. Just schedule it appropriately. I’m a huge fan of Married with Children, but I would have never have scheduled it at 7pm, not appropriate.

It’s time to stand up and recognize what is happening to our young peoples minds and demand (not legislate) that taste be a part of our society. Do the networks need to advertise the sex part of an upcoming episode of all the shows, NO. Parents can limit their children from watching certain shows, but when the sexual punchline is given during commercials all day and night no parent can prevent their child from being sexualized in this manner, lest they remove the TV altogether. All I am asking for is a little common sense and decency. I know I sound like an old fogey, but I see the results when it is followed; kids being kids instead of sexualized young adults.