i just read an editorial in the new york times that left me angry and afraid! the author, lawrence downes — a parent of a middle school-aged girl — reflects on a recent outing with his daughter to her middle school talent show:
The scene is a middle school auditorium, where girls in teams of three or four are bopping to pop songs at a student talent show. Not bopping, actually, but doing elaborately choreographed re-creations of music videos, in tiny skirts or tight shorts, with bare bellies, rouged cheeks and glittery eyes.
They writhe and strut, shake their bottoms, splay their legs, thrust their chests out and in and out again. Some straddle empty chairs, like lap dancers without laps. They don’t smile much. Their faces are locked from grim exertion, from all that leaping up and lying down without poles to hold onto. “Don’t stop don’t stop,” sings Janet Jackson, all whispery. “Jerk it like you’re making it choke. …Ohh. I’m so stimulated. Feel so X-rated.” The girls spend a lot of time lying on the floor. They are in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades.
i’m afraid because kyra is only eight now but sixth grade is just 2-1/2 years away! she is vivacious, charismatic and thankfully, still innocent. that innocence is part of the gift of youth, but increasingly, it seems like innocence is stolen at earlier and earlier ages in our society. why is there this obsession in our culture for children — especially girls — to look and act older than they really are?
i am angry because if media (hollywood and mtv) is hell-bent on driving our culture in this direction, where are the parents? when i read the editorial above, i thought that the girls must have been rebellious youth who surprised and shocked the audience and faculty of the school by this performance. sadly, this was not the case because mr. downes reports:
As each routine ends, parents and siblings cheer, whistle and applaud.
i know that i cannot keep my little girl my “little girl” forever. i want to see her grow and develop into a young woman who will bless and transform the world! it appears that my spouse and i should expect little help from our schools, society and culture in nurturing her into this type of young adult.
is anyone else out there fearful and upset? i certainly hope so.
angry & afraid! 2007.01.04
Posted by Hakuna in ohana ("family"), social commentary.2 comments
i am angry because if media (hollywood and mtv) is hell-bent on driving our culture in this direction, where are the parents? when i read the editorial above, i thought that the girls must have been rebellious youth who surprised and shocked the audience and faculty of the school by this performance. sadly, this was not the case because mr. downes reports:
is anyone else out there fearful and upset? i certainly hope so.