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Family Matters

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Linda Mintle, Ph.D. is a licensed marriage and family therapist, author of 16 books, a national expert on family issues and the psychology of food and weight. She's an assistant professor in the department of pediatrics at Eastern Virginia Medical School, a national speaker, writer, and news contributor.

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<< Health Anxiety and Your Family | Blog Home | Parenting 20-somethings >>

Parents, Your Kids Are Paying Attention


This past June, Kristin Stewart (of Twilight fame) was up for Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards. What might surprise you is that she was nominated twice—once for kissing Robert Pattinson in New Moon and the other for a passionate kiss with female co-star Dakota Fanning in The Runaways. But that wasn’t all the kissing that happened during the evening. Hollywood was on a roll, trying to be funny, cute, or provocative with the audience. In a comic gesture, Jonah Hill and Russell Brand kissed. And when Sandra Bullock won her award, she turned to presenter Scarlett Johansson and kissed her. Apparently, Hollywood finds same-sex kissing fashionable and entertaining.

On top of that, the vulgarity of the night was marked by more expletives and sexual references. Actor Tom Cruise starred in an opening video clip playing Les Grossman, the foul-mouthed Hollywood producer from Tropic Thunder. The clip showed Cruise spewing expletives, grabbing body parts, and being down right lewd.  A parade of entertainers made their way to the stage providing a steady dose of gross sexual comments. 

As a parent, I watched some of the show and wanted to take a bath. I fail to understand the “entertainment” value of lewdness, foul language, and sexual talk. In my day, this was considered sexist, misogynistic, or just plain rude.

The sad part is that the audience is young kids who can be influenced by this behavior. So on the one hand, we have popular culture pushing kids to act out, be foul mouthed, and objectify and sexualize women. On the other hand, we are trying to teach respect in schools, lower STDs and crime rates, stop bullying, and teach kids to obey their teachers. Is Hollywood clueless or is it that they just don’t care what impact they have on our kids?

As our kids head back to school, parents need to have more talks about making healthy decisions, being a good citizen, respecting others, and obeying rules and teachers. These talks are essential given the type of exposure kids have from media.

Parents, you make a difference. Never think that you do not! My daughter began watching the MTV awards show because she wanted to see a few of the stars, but as soon as the vulgarity began (right at the beginning), she looked at me and said, “Turn if off. This is gross.” I wanted to hug her.

Our words and actions as parents do matter. They are paying attention to you and others who speak into their lives. Do not get discouraged. Your kids are listening, even if Hollywood isn’t.

Print      Email to a Friend    posted on Thursday, September 02, 2010 11:29 AM

Comments on this post

# RE: Parents, Your Kids Are Paying Attention

Excellent article! We are so tired of all the filth that Hollywood puts out as acceptable entertainment. We have no children living at home anymore but our favorite shows are on Disney, Nickelodium, or older shows like Newhart, Magnum PI, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeanie, etc. No wonder we have so many teen pregnancies and violence in our country. Parents need to pay attention to what their children are watching or better yet turn the TV off and spend time with their children. We were very involved in our children's lives, at home and at school and we both worked. If we could do it anyone can. All it takes is a great deal of knee bending and asking God for guidance. He will help you accomplish the impossible.
Left by Chuck Gates on Sep 03, 2010 7:08 PM

# RE: Parents, Your Kids Are Paying Attention

I hope my 2 daughters see that their dad is there for them. I have had full custody since they were 3 & 1 years old. They are now 21 & 19 and I am currently unemployed and looking as hard and aggressively as one could in this job market. I am there for my kids and always will be. I have faith in my Savior Jesus Christ. I just hope I do not let them down.
Amen
Joe Girage
Left by joe on Sep 06, 2010 12:22 PM