Youth as Seen by Media
Feb 10 2012
Here’s a cultural item that really irks me: media pigeonholes kids as the same, especially in ads. I just heard an ad where the voice asks “what is your tween actually hearing when you speak to her?” and in the background is the sound of a text being typed (a rather long text too). The question is asked again and we hear more texting. I lost the point of the ad here because we don’t have this problem, nor do our friends. But I think the ad wants parents to be hip with their kids and text to them. This reminded me of when I was a teenager and my mom asked if I wanted to “rap.” Come on mom – my friends and I don’t even use that word. But, she saw it on TV as a typical kid word.
I just wish our media would stop trying to present all kids as super cool, hats worn backwards, Justin Beiber haircuts, super smart with technology (I teach college freshmen and I can assure you they aren’t all tech savvy), and with parents who cave to every whim.
My 13 year old doesn’t have a cell phone, nor do her friends. And they all look at my wife and I when we talk to them. Further my kids don’t listen to Justin and do appreciate music from Adele to Tom Petty to the Beatles. Okay, I did influence them with Tom Petty. But I had to – he’s an American icon!
TV shows and movies are even worse – all kids seem precocious and smart mouthed. But I don’t want to go there.
Speaking of music, I’ll end with a humorous story about my oldest son. now, he’s doing great in high school – debate, Freshman VP, grades, soccer; well rounded. And he works to get good grades and do well. But it is funny to me as I wake him each morning at 6am. His alarm is blaring but he isn’t up. The song he has chosen to play each morning is the Rolling Stones’ “Start Me Up.” I guess Mick and crew just can’t get Joe started (as opposed to a cold shot of water – he he he).
