Television Today

[jazzytakara]

I have been rather bored lately and have opted to watch some of the television series friends and family have suggested to me. Many of these shows are aimed at the preteen-teenager audience, and maybe some college aged young adults like myself. Upon watching them, I couldn't help but compare them to the shows of my youth (I'm only 22, not that old, so there is the time reference). Back when I was in high school, shows were rather implicit about sexualized content, drinking, drugs, etc. The biggest romantic development was the 'first kiss' with the anticipated male lead, etc. If one wanted to watch something more adult, those shows were on later at night, had higher ratings, and were mainly for our parents. Yet watching the teen shows today sexualized content is everywhere and highly explicit. There are actors portraying '16 year olds' (at times even 14/15) who are out stripping down with nearly every other character and the scenes get rauncher from there. The same can be said for movies and books today, it seems that sex, drugs, and drinking are being promoted to younger and younger age groups. So its no wonder the culture today is so degradating. And people claim I am being 'close minded' for complaining about it. Yes I know many teenagers in my time were doing those things, but it wasn't as promoted by the media as it is now. And the way it is promoted isnt about showing the effects of drinking and driving, its showing that one should drink when things go wrong. Today's shows aren't showing the problems of teen pregnancy (in fact they've glamourized it), but they are teaching teenagers and children that if your 'first time' goes wrong, then sleep with his/her best friend, there are plenty of others out there to get it right. This disturbs me, as I fear it will only get worse from here. I'm worried that when it comes time for me to get married and have children, my children will not have a chance at innocence in the world they will be born into, as innocence is being treated as a negative thing, chastity and purity is being taught as something to avoid. What can we do in a world where religious and traditional values are becoming a counter culture of sorts, a counter culture that seeks to oppress and discriminate, so many tell me that my beliefs are holding me back and to teach children them would be damaging the future. I'm worried about the future, about the next generation, about the current one, and the rest to come. I'm worried about the world, for it seems to be falling a part.