Friday Poll – Oops! We're Doing It Again

[image error]Yesterday I was watching CNN (which is the only TV I watch, and only for about an hour every morning) and came across a story about the sexualization of teens in the media.

I found it fascinating on a number of levels. One of the most astounding statistics reported during the course of this study is that the average teen watches 75 hours of TV and related media a week. 75 HOURS.

Maybe I'm out of touch, but that number is just crazy to me. No wonder the average teen "doesn't have time" to read, sleep, or do any number of things important and even necessary for mental, physical, and emotional health.

But that figure becomes even more ominous to me when I think about what's out there.

Now listen. I'm no prude. Seriously. I am the LEAST prudish parent you will find. Sex is commonly and openly discussed in my household as are drugs, alcohol, and pretty much anything and everything else. In general, I'm a parent who thinks it's more productive to spend my time talking to my teens about this stuff and educating them about the ramifications of it rather than trying to prevent it from happening or being available.

Call me a cynic, but I prefer to think of myself as a realist.

[image error]The truth is, things change. The human race is on a developmental and evolutionary path that is unstoppable. Some of it is for the better and some of it (a lot of it, in my opinion) is not.

But that point of view doesn't mean I can't find it within myself to be horrified, disgusted, disturbed, worried, and pissed off.

One of the examples given in the CNN feature was Glee. Now before you get all in my face, I'm not dissing Glee. I've never even watched Glee (there's that TV thing again).

I'm just saying that it might not be the best idea to dress up supposed high girls in such a manner, especially when the intended audience is kids and teenagers. Maybe it's not a good idea to show them with their boobs falling out while some guy grabs their ass and everybody smiles like it's all A-okay.

And I do understand that the GQ cover above isn't intended for kids. But the show is. Kids and teens. That's who's watching Glee, in addition to adults. And yes. These actors aren't even really teenagers. But again, they're playing high school students on TV. And the impression is that this is what's expected. That this is how girls "should" look and act.

More and more, it seems girls are seen only through the lens of the boys and men around them. It's a lot of pressure. To be "sexy". To act a certain way. Not just for girls but for the boys around them, too. Will our boys grow up expecting girls to look and behave this way? Is it already too late?

Well, MY boys won't because I've made sure of it. Since I'm not a believer in censorship in any fashion, I'm not suggesting THAT, either. I guess I'm saying that maybe it's time for a gut check. Maybe we should re-evaluate the message we want to send to our young women. Maybe we want to give them a little time to BE young. To see themselves through their own lens before they have to worry about meeting the expectations set for them by an increasingly sexual media that dresses twenty-somethings in clothing designed to be provocative and then presents them as "average" teenagers in a culture that worships celebrity.

Because here's the thing; no matter how much you might disagree with me or be mad that I'm up in your Glee's face, I love you guys. I care about you. My heart hurts for you when you feel sad or confused or insecure or inferior or scared.

I'm everybody's mother!

As with my own teens, I just want you to be okay. I want you to figure out who you are – who you REALLY are, not some twisted version of yourself created out of the media's idea of who should be – before you worry about meeting the expectations of the people around you. And I want those people to love and care about you for the beauty and insight and intelligence and compassion you carry INSIDE. By what you can contribute to the world. Not by people who are rating how your ass looks in a short skirt.

Anyway, I guess this is one Friday Poll in which you guys know where I stand! How about you?

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