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Parenting with Connie: It's about time
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Posted by conniem Wed Sep 5, 2007 15:45:22 PDT
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When I finish teaching in May, I usually reflect upon the year. I assess the students' overall attitudes and responses. Usually, I am very discouraged at their level of knowledge and/or experience.  

Last year, though, I have to tell you I was very encouraged. There seems to be a sense of innocence returning to our children. 

 

I really don’t know why. I usually poll my students (stealthy) to see what they watching and spending time doing. MySpace, MTV and video games seem to dominate their time. But of late, many of the girls have told me they are watching a Canadian teenage soap called "Degrassi."  I made note of it and watched it for content. Last year, though, the students were watching "High School Musical."
 

I am usually pretty wary of the things on TV that kids spend time watching. Pop culture affects the classroom in many ways. It has taken me years to logically walk teenagers through Bill Clinton’s faulty lingo. But in 2003, when Madonna/Britney kissed on MTV awards, I was nauseated. I cut out a picture of it and put it in my notebook. I knew I would have to deal with that sensationalized smut for a long time.  

 

The most interesting thing happened, though. When I asked junior high boys what they thought of the “kiss,” most of them said “it rocked.” But a boy raised his hand and told me that when he saw two girls that he knew kiss at a party, he was disgusted. So my thought was maybe they were OK with the “kiss” because it didn’t affect them personally. But when it was in their back yard, so to speak, it wasn’t so cool. Interesting

 

So when "High School Musical" showed up, I think kids were hungry for a show that made them feel secure about being normal. It gives them a sense of belonging and they don’t have to be outlandish to fit in. They are modestly-dressed students in everyday high school situations. Not to mention smart girl gets the boy instead of spoiled girl who gets everything she wants. Good, clean, wholesome relationships –– who can object to that?

 

A Dad who has a 10-year-old talked with me about "Hannah Montana.  He didn’t want her to identify with someone who might grow up and not be a good role model. I asked him what he was objecting to now. He said nothing, but was anxious about the wave of Hollywood girls who are not such good role models. Remember, Britney Spears used to have a squeaky clean image. 

I can only encourage wholesome TV shows and music.  The alternative is disturbing. Music and TV has dominated out lives for so long with violence, cursing, drugs and sexual images, encouraging our youth to behave like thugs. Enough is enough.

 

It’s about time Hollywood gets a clue. Remember "Napoleon Dynamite?" My children made me see that movie. It hurt my brain. But, I told parents to see it because they wouldn’t be able to understand their child for at least a year. It was a clean movie, albeit dumb.  But, look at the impact at the box office and merchandise. 

 

Anyway, the only way to get Hollywood to listen, it to impact their deep pockets. "High School Musical" is a phenomenon all levels. Thank goodness. PS: I opened The Bakersfield Californian and read the headlines of upcoming cable shows: “Sex, Sex, and more Sex.”  

Come on cable TV, it’s about time you get clued in so you can cash in.

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