Safeguarding your Children against Today's Popular Culture

At a famous fast food chain, seated was a mother and her teenage boys. One of the boys wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the word "KORN." KORN is the name of a band whose lead singer fantasizes about brutally torturing and murdering his stepmother. Undoubtedly this mother is not aware of that. Many parents are in the same boat. Like this mother, it's not that they don't care; they've simply lost track of what's happening in their children's entertainment and biggest concerns, namely: music, TV. movies, video games and clothes.

No matter how much we try to escape the popular culture, the trends of the day hit us right in the face. We live in a sex-obsessed, violence soaked, entitlement-demanding society, and the starkest reflection of those traits are being exhibited by teenagers today. In fact, statistics show that violent crime has risen sharply among teenagers in the past few years.]

Teens may be more media savvy than their parents, but they often lack the tools to think "Christianly" about the culture. They are not only asking for different entertainment choices; they also want to develop critical thinking and discernment that will help them turn down the wrong choices their friends may make.

Here's what parents can do to help.
The Music Scene
Music is a language that speaks directly to the soul. It is a subtle way of expressing a feeling that goes beyond the spoken word. It transmits an experience, inspires thoughts, and influences deeply the sensitive and emotional side of a person. There is no more effective way to teach anything than with the aid of music.

To start with, many listeners do not realize the fact that music is a powerful communicator of philosophy. Most of us have probably caught ourselves casually singing a song - either with or without the tape or CD playing it to us. We have unconsciously learned it through repeated listenings.

Do you know what kind of music your teenager likes? Is it rock music? In case you don't know rock music has Ten Elements:*

  1. Rebellion
  2. Violence
  3. Nihilism or Despair
  4. Escapism
  5. Drugs or Alcohol
  6. Sexual promiscuity
  7. Suicide or Murder
  8. Occult or Paranormal activities
  9. Open satanic affirmations
  10. Anti-God or Anti-Christian Blasphemy

(Source: From Rock to Rock - The Music of Darkness Exposed by Eric Barger)

In order to help your teenagers sort out positive music from the negative, talk about album lyrics and by discussing the following questions:

  • Do the words of the song emphasize harmful consequences or actions?
  • Do the artist's words or actions promote immediate gratification?
  • Do the words promote courage, self-control and good judgment?
  • Do they emphasize secrecy?
  • Are the words or actions based primarily on feelings?]
  • Finally, "Would Jesus listen to this?" This question should also be applied to movies and TV shows.

Checking Out Movies
Be wary of ratings. PG and PG-13 films may be deemed acceptable by mainstream audiences but discerning parents will bristle at much of what's supposedly "age appropriate" material.

Arrange a date night with your teens. This is better than dropping them off at the cinema with their friends where they could easily slip into an R-rated flick. Viewing films together gives parents the chance to talk about the content - and what the family standard is. Your best bet, however, is watching movie videos at home. To be on the safe side, preview the m before letting your youngsters watch, if possible.

What's on TV?
Watching television requires no interaction - just someone willing to sit and stare. Numerous studies show that children who sit passively in front of the TV screen don't learn to concentrate, engage in creative play, or do task oriented activities. This is particularly true of children between the ages of 1 and 5 who are exposed to many hours of television.

Of course, the videotape has become an all-purpose baby sitter and pacifier in many situations. Think about it. How do some day-care centers occupy children in order to have peace and quiet? Play a video.

Psychiatrist Foster Cline, author of Parenting With Love and Logic, say that he would rather put televisions and videos away and have children string buttons or wrap tape around a chair - anything that makes them focus on a task. Dr. Cline believes that any video, good or bad, is a detriment to getting toddlers to concentrate or think creatively.

What should parents do about TV?

Set either daily or weekly viewing limits for the family. Some families watch TV only on weekends. Others allow one hour daily as an "incentive" to children after homework.

Watch TV programs with your kids. This is better than prohibiting them to watch TV. Chances are they might end up watching the wrong stuff over their friends' houses. If you see something objectionable on TV, discuss it immediately with your child rather than waiting until the topic comes up naturally.

Arrange your furniture so the TV isn't the focal point of the room.

Nothing is a substitute for previewing your child's favorite show and finding out what messages he or she is exposed to.

Take an honest look at your own viewing habits. Even if you\rquote re turning on the TV as a "background noise," what example are you setting for your family?

There are many dangers posed by video games as well. Many boys are crazy about video games that train players to main, torture and kill. A video game, "Duke Nukem 3D," places the player in a Hollywood red-light district inhabited by alien mobsters posing as Los Angeles police officers. The only humans seen are female strippers who can be brutalized and killed by the player. What do hours of playing these types of games produce in a child\rquote s behavior? Child psychologists find nothing of benefit.

Another issue of contention between parents and teens is clothing. Many teens would rather die than look baduy or different from their peers. While fads come and go, parents don't have to go broke footing the bill.

Set a basic allowance on clothes.
For instance, if P1,500 is your limit on a pair of durable sneakers, your teen will have to pay the difference if he wants Nike's latest Air Jordans.

Teach your teens to build their wardrobes around the basics like jeans, pastel colored plain shirts, white T-shirts, blazers, etc.
All teens want to wear what\rquote s in style, but "fad" wardrobes are a waste of money.

Teach your teens that modesty and good taste last forever!
Ask your daughters to consider w hat they are really saying about themselves when they are tempted to buy provocative and sexually suggestive clothing.

Zap List !!! *

Bands with Lurid Lyrics

  • KORN
  • Slayer
  • Nine Inch Nails
  • Salt-N-Pepa
  • Bone Thugs and Harmony
  • Dr. Dre
  • Silverchair
  • 2Pac
  • Offspring
  • Warren G
  • The Dogg Pound
  • Nirvana
  • Naughty by Nature
  • Pearl Jam
  • Too Short

Violent Video Games

  • Killing Time (3DO)
  • Mortal Combat III (Midway Arcade Version) Phantasmagoria (Sierra)
  • Rise of the Triad (Apogee)
  • Doom II (id)
  • Ecstatica (Sony/Psygnosis)
  • Night Trap (Digital Pictures)
  • Corpse Killer (Digital Pictures)
  • Killer Instinct (Nintendo)
  • Savage Warriors (Mindscape)
  • Daryl F. Gates Police Quest (Sierra)
  • Resident Evil (Capcom)
  • Prime Patrol (American Laser Games)


Source:
Focus on the Family Sept. 1996
by: CARLA MACAPAGAL LATUPAN
Search