[Ammi]

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

I never said it was
if you look to the parents to steer their kids in the right direction then this will fail.
we have terms now like yummy mummy and milf, women are spending more on their image and fitness and their kids see this.

..yeah, there might be some of that contributing but I honestly don't think that can be completely blamed because parents aren't the only influence on their children, they get to an age when peer opinions become more valid to them and a parent can help with that, I agree if they see the 'wrongs' but they don't always know straight away though...I know of perfectly good parents who don't allow their children to watch any 'trash' TV/read magazines etc...and their children are still exposed to things in a playground/friendship situation...it's really hard for a parent to see everything all the time...and hard for them they are often 'judged' for not doing so...

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by Ammi

..yeah, there might be some of that contributing but I honestly don't think that can be completely blamed because parents aren't the only influence on their children, they get to an age when peer opinions become more valid to them and a parent can help with that, I agree if they see the 'wrongs' but they don't always know straight away though...I know of perfectly good parents who don't allow their children to watch any 'trash' TV/read magazines etc...and their children are still exposed to things in a playground/friendship situation...it's really hard for a parent to see everything all the time...and hard for them they are often 'judged' for not doing so...

I agree 100%, we cant lay blame at every parent but some don't help!, but they themselves are just part of the image fed machine.

image is worth so much money ,with fashion make up diets and products that claim to make you look better, that I cant see any major change in the way young girls get influenced in the future.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by lostalex

My parents didn't let me watch The Simpsons. I watched it every time i went over to my friends house. he taped it for me. You know what though? it made me think about why did they didn't let me watch it. It forced me to think about it. So even if they still see it, at least they have to think about it.

...yeah, but the thing with that is that your parents had reasons for feeling it was wrong to expose you of something/..and you did it anyway, without their knowledge and I'm sure they were great and conscientious parents..and the influence on every child of certain 'exposures' will be different..I'm not talking about The Simpsons, but this trend in the article and what those young girls are exposing themselves to....

Originally Posted by thesheriff443

I agree 100%, we cant lay blame at every parent but some don't help!, but they themselves are just part of the image fed machine.

image is worth so much money ,with fashion make up diets and products that claim to make you look better, that I cant see any major change in the way young girls get influenced in the future.

...I do think though that focus has always been on 'image', from as far back as I remember, it's just that we have the internet now....

[lostalex]

I think it's about parents teaching their children critical thinking. Children who are taught to think critically, and to realize that what they see in media is for marketing purposes, they understand that what they see is the ideal, not reality. in the same way when they are learning science and math, they don't have to be as smart as stephen hawking to be a scientist or mathematician.

It's not society's job to cater to children. It is the parent's job. I am an adult, and i shouldn't have to be thinking about what YOUR child might see when i post on the internet. That's YOUR job as a parent. not mine.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by lostalex

I think it's about parents teaching their children critical thinking. Children who are taught to think critically, and to realize that what they see in media is for marketing purposes, they understand that what they see is the ideal, not reality. in the same way when they are learning science and math, they don't have to be as smart as stephen hawking to be a scientist or mathematician.

It's not society's job to cater to children. It is the parent's job. I am an adult, and i shouldn't have to be thinking about what YOUR child might see when i post on the internet. That's YOUR job as a parent. not mine.

..yeah, it is very much the parent's job..and the school's job...and there's influences from peers/friendship groups etc..it's a joint thing, constantly, otherwise it'll be hard for it to work with that responsibility just coming from one direction...

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

I think it's about parents teaching their children critical thinking. Children who are taught to think critically, and to realize that what they see in media is for marketing purposes, they understand that what they see is the ideal, not reality. in the same way when they are learning science and math, they don't have to be as smart as stephen hawking to be a scientist or mathematician.

It's not society's job to cater to children. It is the parent's job. I am an adult, and i shouldn't have to be thinking about what YOUR child might see when i post on the internet. That's YOUR job as a parent. not mine.

don't get all defensive!, no one has said its your job to worry about what other peoples children see on the internet, but on the other hand you should be thinking who else might see my post's and what affect it may have on them, that's your duty as an adult.

[lostalex]

My parents didn't let me watch The Simpsons. I watched it every time i went over to my friends house. he taped it for me. You know what though? it made me think about why did they didn't let me watch it. It forced me to think about it. So even if they still see it, at least they have to think about it.

[lostalex]

i think, to stay on topic, it is the parents job to tell their kids that their appearance is not important, because you can't change it.

Why do young girls feel that their appearance is so important? It's not TV or the Internet's job to teach young girls what is important. If a young girl is so concerned with her appearance, that is because of poor parenting.

If i had a daughter she wouldn't be worried about what she looked like when she is 10 years old, she'd be too busy with many other things.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

i think, to stay on topic, it is the parents job to tell their kids that their appearance is not important, because you can't change it.

Why do young girls feel that their appearance is so important? It's not TV or the Internet's job to teach young girls what is important. If a young girl is so concerned with her appearance, that is because of poor parenting.

If i had a daughter she wouldn't be worried about what she looked like when she is 10 years old, she'd be too busy with many other things.

that's just it!
tv and internet are filling young girls head's with its all about image, they are not giving a balanced point of view.

your parents did not want you to watch the simpsons because they thought it was a bad influence, but you still watched it!

you don't know what your daughter would be worried about, because like you she may get the information from someone else.

[lostalex]

when i hear about parents that buy their daughter boob jobs or nose jobs for their sweet 16 present, it pisses me off. that is bad parenting.

[lostalex]

But the point is, when my parents didn't let me watch the Simpsons, they explained it to me, they told me it's because it's about a boy who is misbehaved and who doesn't do well in school, and doesn't respect his teachers. so when i did actually watch the simpsons at my friends house, i saw exactly what they meant, and they were right, i should;'t want to be like Bart Simpson.

So even though i watched it at my friends house, at least my parents talked about it with me before hand, and i knew that bart simpson was a bad role model, and i shouldn't want to be like bart simpson. I was able to think about it, and realize that Bart is not a cool kid that i should emulate, he's just a comedy character on TV.

this is in the early 90's i must say, i realize that now there is much more pressures on kids, but i'm just using an example from my childhood.

[thesheriff443]

Originally Posted by lostalex

But the point is, when my parents didn't let me watch the Simpsons, they explained it to me, they told me it's because it's about a boy who is misbehaved and who doesn't do well in school, and doesn't respect his teachers. so when i did actually watch the simpsons at my friends house, i saw exactly what they meant, and they were right, i should;'t want to be like Bart Simpson.

So even though i watched it at my friends house, at least my parents talked about it with me before hand, and i knew that bart simpson was a bad role model, and i shouldn't want to be like bart simpson. I was able to think about it, and realize that Bart is not a cool kid that i should emulate, he's just a comedy character on TV.

I don't think bart simpson as got anything on you!
lets just say, its just another part of the messed up world we live in.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by lostalex

But the point is, when my parents didn't let me watch the Simpsons, they explained it to me, they told me it's because it's about a boy who is misbehaved and who doesn't do well in school, and doesn't respect his teachers. so when i did actually watch the simpsons at my friends house, i saw exactly what they meant, and they were right, i should;'t want to be like Bart Simpson.

So even though i watched it at my friends house, at least my parents talked about it with me before hand, and i knew that bart simpson was a bad role model, and i shouldn't want to be like bart simpson. I was able to think about it, and realize that Bart is not a cool kid that i should emulate, he's just a comedy character on TV.

I get what you're saying here but it's exactly why I think its important to NOT outright ban watching anything, but instead, to be a present and active influence providing context and commentary and discussing these things as they arise. The thing is, a lot if parents don't say WHY they're saying no. It's just "no". And then when their kids inevitably encounter these things anyway, away from their parents, it's without that valuable opportunity to discuss it and learn.

I had this debate with someone recently, who was adamant that advertising should be kept away from children at all costs. I argued that, if you do that, they will be naive and unaware when they encounter advertising as an adult. Its important that they DO see advertising, and that their first experiences of it involve discussion, because the only way to be immune to advertising (and any other subliminal messaging, such as the vanity issue of this thread) is to be completely aware of it and have the ability to view it critically.

[Ammi]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

I get what you're saying here but it's exactly why I think its important to NOT outright ban watching anything, but instead, to be a present and active influence providing context and commentary and discussing these things as they arise. The thing is, a lot if parents don't say WHY they're saying no. It's just "no". And then when their kids inevitably encounter these things anyway, away from their parents, it's without that valuable opportunity to discuss it and learn.

I had this debate with someone recently, who was adamant that advertising should be kept away from children at all costs. I argued that, if you do that, they will be naive and unaware when they encounter advertising as an adult. Its important that they DO see advertising, and that their first experiences of it involve discussion, because the only way to be immune to advertising (and any other subliminal messaging, such as the vanity issue of this thread) is to be completely aware of it and have the ability to view it critically.

..I agree with you, I think in general 'taboo' isn't a good thing..it's not something I've ever done anyway...it's more explaining, that if they do this, whatever it is...these are the dangers/consequences etc and that, that would make them very unhappy as well as making you as a parent unhappy etc...and in the case of watching something which may have an 'anti hero', if it's your decision to let them watch it, then watch it with them and explain things if you have to so they 'get it'...most young people do get it anyway, with TV programmes, I mean...

[lostalex]

Youtube video

[Kyle]

Quite a harrowing song and video Alex it's actually got me welling up a bit.

[lostalex]

Originally Posted by Simple Minds

Quite a harrowing song and video Alex it's actually got me welling up a bit.

What you were saying made me think of that song right away, one of my favorite songs. I thought you could relate to it. Sorry if it made you sad.

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by lostalex

What you were saying made me think of that song right away, sorry if it made you sad.

It's ok Alex, I meant it in a good way like I understand him completely. I've looked up the singer from that band and it looks like he had depression issues too. He sounds like he's body dysmorphic, talking about he can never see himself how others see him.

[lostalex]

hey, here's the other side of it. (sorry they took all of them off of youtube so i only have a vimeo link)

dedicated to you

[Kyle]

Originally Posted by lostalex

hey, here's the other side of it. (sorry they took all of them off of youtube so i only have a vimeo link)

dedicated to you

Lol thanks Alex

[Natalie.]

I feel sad for these girls, there's some people out there just waiting to write disgusting, hateful comments about anyone they can on youtube and other sites. As a teenage girl you just want to know you're pretty and want attention from boys, well that's what I wanted sometimes. I don't understand how you can be mean about someones looks especially a child, but that's trolls for you I guess

It's everywhere to be looking your best for young girls and boys, it's hard

[smeagol]

sounds pointless to me. people look different in videos and pics than real life anyway.
id rather a girl not know shes pretty or think shes not than a girl who knows it they are the worst kind.

funny if you ask people on the net am i ugly always someone would say yes lol bad idear really as people remember insults more than compliments.
its sad girls dont value there attractive qualities. its rare for someone to be truely ugly, yet most dont think they are much. which is sad.

[Kizzy]

Teens are teens and it's normal for them to want to take the opinion of some stranger over their parent, I could tell my daughter she was beautiful till I was blue in the face and it didn't matter as I was bias.
I'm surprised at this trend though as most I would have thought that teens would die of embarrassment, being on camera asking something like this.
Athough the confidence is there to do it do they have the maturity to deal with the negative comments? Most likely not.
One thing this does show is the different responses to different images, which gives an insight into how girls are inflluenced into looking a certain way.
I dislike terms like milf or yummy mummy, if a woman looks attractive, dresses well and happens to have school age children why must she have this silly rather sexist label?
It would be wonderful to be able to be the only ones to influence your children, to restrict their associations and have them grow up totally confident and self assured, however due to youth culture/peer pressure/media/advertising this is made almost impossible.

[lostalex]

once again, it's all parents. why does a 9 y/o have a webcam and a youtube account? I don't think 9 y/o's are even allowed to have youtube accounts according to youtube's own rules.

[x-evenstar-x]

I think these kids want reassurance, they want people to tell them they are beautiful and all the rest of it. I believe I'm very unattractive and I would never dream of doing that I couldn't even post a picture of myself, so I get what people mean about If they truly thought that about them selves why would they do it, I don't think it's about letting the world know they think they are ugly or what ever but that they want someone to tell them they are pretty. I've not actually watched the videos, I'm going to watch it now but that's what I'm guessing.