| Sexually-Charged
TV
by Kerry Marsala
Generally
one should never take serious stock in polls, studies, and survey's.
The participants chosen and the questions asked often have too many
variables. The studies and research done need to be looked at with
a careful eye, and logical reasoning must be applied. The sum of
truth is usually found somewhere in the mixture of numerical data
and the various organizations delivery of their own biases. Dump
all the information studied, dissected and staged under a microscope
into a blender and you'll find proof in your own observances within
your daily living. There's more fact in observing societal trends
over a period of time and in various circumstances, than there is
in a controlled, minute group.
The
Rand research organization recently conducted a study on the effects
of adolescents who watch too much sexually-charged TV. The premise
was (a one-year survey of 1,792 adolescents between the ages of
12 to 17) that large amounts of television containing sexual content
encouraged our youth to begin engaging in sexual intercourse or
other sexual acts far sooner than their peers who didn't watch sexually
explicit TV. A year after -- the study conducted by Rand -- compared
the two groups. Their statistics confirmed that those who watched
fewer sex filled programs were less likely to be engaging at an
age prior to comprehension of the ramifications of overt sexual
behaviors. The impact on those children who often watched television
shows with sexual content or discussion of sexual topics was an
increase in their sexual behaviors to begin earlier and most of
them had notable regrets.
Certainly as
we tune into our cultural habits and view them for what they are,
we don't need another study to show what our entertainment industry
produces. We can see the negative impact on our youth, it's all
around us. Hollywood's ideals have become so blatantly skewed, they
are filled with fake boobs, butt lifts, skin abrasions, botox injections
and unrealistic Barbie and Ken dolls to be paraded around as the
perfect sex toy. The entertainment industry will deny any influence,
but if this were so why do we have commercials directed at our children
to buy certain products? Marketing shows you repeat the Skittles
candy commercial enough times and your children will be asking you
to buy Skittles so they can "taste the rainbow of flavors."
We'd have to be living our lives in a cave somewhere in "nowhere
land" not to comprehend what our children are becoming and
how the marketing industry works hand in hand with the entertainment
industry to sell all of us on an idea.
If
you rhave any doubts as to the effects of sexed up TV try this experiment.
Drive your child to school and look around at what little clothing
there is on these young bodies. Stroll the malls on a Friday night
and observe the window dressing in certain clothing stores. Some
Thursday night chaperone a school's dance and note the sexual dance
moves. It's time to take notice-- it's getting harder to tell who
the children are. Both females and males have become obsessed with
looking sexy; this isn't a singular gender problem. Open a teen
magazine and see young girls wearing provocative clothing and posing
with young males in sexual positions. Is this our message to our
youth? -- Dress and behave in this manner and the world will be
yours. The spike of interest in creating an image of sexual prowess
is fast becoming the common mode for all our children, starting
for some as early as four years old. Isn't posing our children to
look like sexual playthings child pornography?
The
findings by Rand researches really were already confirmed. But,
I do believe Rand offers a sensible approach to curbing our sexed-up
youth. The remedy is called -- being a parent, parental involvement.
Parents, whether we want the status or not, seem to hold the master
key to unlocking our children's views of themselves and where they
belong in this world. Such a big responsibility, but one we all
decided to take on when we gave life to another being -- at conception.
Parental
rights give us the authority to turn off certain programs, to refuse
certain movies and music from entering our homes and to hold the
credit card power of purchasing only the clothes that cover the
body. We as parents have the authority to be parents, we are not
our children's playmates, best friends, pals, or buddies -- we are
parents. Parenthood calls for structure, guidelines, judgement calls,
being nosy, setting parameters, bending when necessary and lovingly
molding our children into polite, well behaved, respectful, and
confident adults.
This
may mean your child may want to watch a questionable TV show or
movie, if your research shows that there may be something gained
from the experience of viewing, watch it and discuss it with them.
Our children may act as if they don't care what we think, but they
do. They are constantly seeking our approval; parental approval
gives children that needed self-assuredness to withstand many awkward
or possibly dangerous situations. Being their "buddy"
and letting them loose to run with their own devices just creates
unstable, low self-esteemed children. Behind the roll of the eyes,
deep sighs, and the look of "your ruining my life" our
children are begging us to be their lawmakers and guides. With 46%
of our U.S. high school students reporting they have had sexual
intercourse, but also stating they wished they'd waited longer in
becoming active, it is quite clear that our young people need some
help.
Take
control of the TV remote, music players, and clothing. The children
of this generation are now struggling through a sexier and rougher
period of time than we've ever known. Some things are obvious. Ten-year-olds
shouldn't be receiving or giving oral sex to their boyfriend or
girlfriend, nor should they be conducting any other type of sexual
liaison prior to a martial commitment. If the TV or entertainment
in our homes is contributing to any form of unhealthy or immoral
behaviors do we not owe it to our children to protect them from
harm?
Talk
is cheap but, time and interest are invaluable. The power of the
on/off button on your television's remote control is easily punched,
and your sacrifice of love will come back to you a hundred fold
. Fine tune your household-- give structure, guidelines, and love--
it’s the beginning to letting our children be children.
K
L. Marsala is a commentator on social, cultural and political ideologies.
She is co-publisher of Sarah's Seed Journal and has published one
book, with number two waiting in the wings.
Ms.
Marsala holds a master's degree in ancient history and Biblical
studies. She is currently working on her degree in bio-ethics and
political science. You can visit her web-site for archived and current
articles: http://www.right2think.8m.com
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