Why is this news?

soulsinging · February 2007

catefrances wrote:

oh yeah. don't you know? he's souldiddy. doesn't like to advertise it but we've got his number. he's representin' for all the pj hiphop fans down with that action cuz.

i feel so white.

yeah, im not gonna lie to you... that was pretty white

angelica · February 2007

onelongsong wrote:

i agree with you so much angelica except i believe it convinces the girls that they need to have sex at an early age. i just stopped working with troubled and abused girls last month because of health reasons; but i found that they idolized people like paris hilton and believe that by dressing and acting provocatively and having sex; they will become as popular as her. paris hilton may be celebat for all we know but they believe she's having sex all the time. so they mimic their idol as they see her sacrificing their self esteem.

I agree the sexuality piece is a big part of this. My point was that it's not just about having sex. It's about how their whole perception of who they are becomes lost to them and they start to think they are their sexual behaviours. In the grand scheme of things, in a healthy individual, that is a relatively small part of who we are. Young girls need to be valued for their emotions, their intelligence, and they need to uncover a value system based on who they are, not based on their sexuality. But yes, definitely the increased young sexual activy, trying to living the "fantasy life" (that doesn't really exist) of the media princesses, etc, it's definitely a part of it as well.

OutOfBreath · February 2007

soulsinging wrote:

i agree with all of that, but i also don't think that being vocally critical of a culture that makes sex a cheap, popular commodity like a flashy new pair of shoes is a bad thing.

Sure. My point is mainly that these types of debate become too one-sided in the other direction again.

aren't you norwegian?

Uhm, yeah?
*scratches head*
I dont get it...

Peace
Dan

soulsinging · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

Uhm, yeah?
*scratches head*
I dont get it...

Peace
Dan

i would just assume that the cultural climate is a bit different over there and if you have an accurate picture of just what is going on here in terms of sexual politics and media. i think it would be hard to get a grasp of just by reading about it secondhand.

decides2dream · February 2007

angelica wrote:

I agree the sexuality piece is a big part of this. My point was that it's not just about having sex. It's about how their whole perception of who they are becomes lost to them and they start to think they are their sexual behaviours. In the grand scheme of things, in a healthy individual, that is a relatively small part of who we are. Young girls (and boys) need to be valued for their emotions, their intelligence, and they need to uncover a value system based on who they are, not based on their sexuality. But yes, definitely the increased young sexual activy, trying to living the "fantasy life" (that doesn't really exist) of the media princesses, etc, it's definitely a part of it as well.

exactly!
so well stated.

and as ever, it's all about finding *balance*...b/c to skew to the other extreme, and deny one's emerging sexuality would not be the answer either. it's finding the happy medium between the two...embracing your emerging sexuality but not being inundated with it, overwhelmed by it.

RockinInCanada · February 2007

I think it is very hasty to paint the media as the reason for this behaviour....to me that is a complete cop out of the real problem...which to me is develping, and more importantly, maintaining a healthy parental/daughter relationship. If she is getting more "life" education from media source that portray Paris Hilton as someone you need to be something is wrong with communication from parents. Currently I see so many examples of further deteriation and detachment between parents and specifically daughters.

Up to a year ago, and I am being honest, I had lost so much faith in "kids these days" I failed to understand them. However through many experiences I see one current theme, where problems are occuring in the nature as described in previous posts, the mother/father relationship with the daughter has been deplorable at best...constant fighting/nagging....however I was saved when I visited my fiance's aunt in Sept. of 2006 where I met her daughters and wow were they upstanding women, full of class and confidence. Some may say it could be an act, I am a very good judge of people and I could see it was all real. The proof was the mutual respect between all parties in the family, frankly it was beautiful and restabilished my faith in youth.

When that mutal family respect breaks down and detachment begins that is when the youth goes to other methods of learning be it from other kids in similiar situations or the family babysitter we call television. To me parents need to be very pro-active in the upbringing of their children. I just find, expecially in today's generation, that parents are caring less and letting other methods of teaching take precedent over their's.

Just a thought, not truth, more of an on-going observation I have seen repeat itself so much.

OutOfBreath · February 2007

soulsinging wrote:

i would just assume that the cultural climate is a bit different over there and if you have an accurate picture of just what is going on here in terms of sexual politics and media. i think it would be hard to get a grasp of just by reading about it secondhand.

Dude, we import anything american, so I think I have a pretty clear picture...

We have much the same as you, really.

Peace
Dan

gue_barium · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

Dude, we import anything american, so I think I have a pretty clear picture...
We have much the same as you, really.

Peace
Dan

hehee, soulsinging looking for some norwegian wood?

soulsinging · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

Dude, we import anything american, so I think I have a pretty clear picture...
We have much the same as you, really.

Peace
Dan

fair enough. just kinda curious what impression you guys get of us over here. from my understanding norway is much more liberal and sensible in its social policy with respect to sex. i get the feeling we're unhealthily polarized. VERY puritan influences that say "sex is dirty and dont do it!" leading to a backlash on the other side where advertisers know it is so titillating due to that repression that they take advantage of it and a hedonistic rebellion that say "sex is great and do it as much as you can with whoever you can." it's very out of whack and i fear there is not much room for reasonable and moderate debate in the middle as long as christian fundamentalists maintain a stranglehold on the american political process.

OutOfBreath · February 2007

soulsinging wrote:

fair enough. just kinda curious what impression you guys get of us over here. from my understanding norway is much more liberal and sensible in its social policy with respect to sex.

We might be at that. We have the complaints about overt exposure of sex in the media and all that jazz. We also have our religious folks who dont like it. But on the whole, sex isn't that controversial. There's a lot about it in newspapers and stuff, and often in the form of information about sex and people's preferences about it. We have much the same as you, but we dont get too excited about it apart from the usual groups. For instance, I cannot imagine the same moral panic here from something like the Janet Jackson stunt.

i get the feeling we're unhealthily polarized. VERY puritan influences that say "sex is dirty and dont do it!" leading to a backlash on the other side where advertisers know it is so titillating due to that repression that they take advantage of it and a hedonistic rebellion that say "sex is great and do it as much as you can with whoever you can." it's very out of whack and i fear there is not much room for reasonable and moderate debate in the middle as long as christian fundamentalists maintain a stranglehold on the american political process.

America is obsessed with sex, and refuses to talk about it, is my impression. And that plays right into the hands of porn, really.

But I tend to want to scale down the huge headlines on issues concerning sex, teenagers and so on. It's usually made a much bigger problem than it is, and often with a puritan undercurrent motivating it. But perhaps you have bigger problems with those things over there. I dunno. If so, could it be because of lack of information based in puritanism that has a stronger hold in America?

Peace
Dan

angelica · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

But I tend to want to scale down the huge headlines on issues concerning sex, teenagers and so on.

Consdering issues with teenagers and sex have huge far-reaching consequences, I think this is a serious issue, and one that cannot be glossed over. It has been for far too long. There is a difference between sensationalizing something based on morality with an agenda, and facing an issue that has objective ramifications, and is usually downplayed or ignored at the level of reasoned discussion.

my2hands · February 2007

drivingrl wrote:

This is 'duh'.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/6376421.stm

Sexualisation 'harms' young girls

The media's portrayal of young women as sex objects harms girls' mental and physical health, US experts warn.
Magazines, television, video games and music videos all have a detrimental effect, a task force from the American Psychological Association reported.

Sexualisation can lead to a lack of confidence with their bodies as well as depression and eating disorders.

Such images also have a negative effect on healthy sexual development in girls, the researchers said.

The task force was set up after mounting "public concern" about the sexualisation of young girls.

EXAMPLES OF SEXUALISATION
Young pop stars dressed as sex objects
Dolls aimed at young girls with sexual clothing such as fishnet tights
Clothing, such as thongs, for seven to 10-year-olds
Adult models dressed as young girls

Research on the content and effects of television, music videos, music lyrics, magazines, films, video games and the internet was analysed.

Recent advertising campaigns and merchandising of products aimed at girls was also scrutinised.

Sexualisation was defined as occurring when a person's value comes only from her or his sexual appeal or behaviour, to the exclusion of other characteristics, and when a person is portrayed purely as a sex object.

They gave examples of a trainer advert that featured pop star Christina Aguilera dressed as a schoolgirl with her shirt unbuttoned, licking a lollipop.

According to the research identified by the task force, such images and promotion of girls as sexual objects negatively affects young girls in many ways.

We need to replace all of these sexualised images with ones showing girls in positive settings - ones that show the uniqueness and competence of girls

Dr Eileen Zurbriggen
Task force chair

"The consequences of the sexualisation of girls in media today are very real," said Dr Eileen Zurbriggen, chair of the group and associate professor of psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz.

"We have ample evidence to conclude that sexualisation has negative effects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development."

The task force called on parents, school officials, and health professionals to be alert for the potential impact on girls and young women.

And it advised that schools should teach pupils media literacy skills and should include information on the negative effects of images portraying girls as sex objects in sex education programmes.

Governments also had a responsibility to reduce the use of sexualised images in the media and advertising, they said.

Teenage magazines

Dr Zurbriggen added: "As a society, we need to replace all of these sexualised images with ones showing girls in positive settings - ones that show the uniqueness and competence of girls.

"The goal should be to deliver messages to all adolescents - boys and girls - that lead to healthy sexual development."

Professor Andrew Hill, professor of medical psychology at the University of Leeds, said it was hard to disagree with any of the reports conclusions.

"If you look at teenage magazines, it's all about sex.

"We are a visually absorbed society - our views of people are dominated by how they look."

He added that the use of women as sex objects in the media and advertising was a difficult issue to deal with.

"Only 18% of children's television viewing is in their designated viewing time and legislation can't be the answer for everything.

"One of the key things here is social responsibility - advertisers and other media need to be aware that the products they produce and images associated with them have an impact and it's not always a good impact," he said.

PARENTS

soulsinging · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

America is obsessed with sex, and refuses to talk about it, is my impression. And that plays right into the hands of porn, really.

But I tend to want to scale down the huge headlines on issues concerning sex, teenagers and so on. It's usually made a much bigger problem than it is, and often with a puritan undercurrent motivating it. But perhaps you have bigger problems with those things over there. I dunno. If so, could it be because of lack of information based in puritanism that has a stronger hold in America?

Peace
Dan

yeah, this is exactly what i was trying to say awkwardly

i think a lack of information and puritan repression definitely has a role. like i said, some reasonable approaches to sex would be good. the whole janet jackson thing was mind-boggling. it's that kind of reaction that makes kids go "man what is the big deal about? ive GOT to find out" and then get carried away becos they have no accurate information about what exactly sex is and it ends up a kind of obsession, like the porn you mentioned.

angelica · February 2007

decides2dream wrote:

exactly!
so well stated.

and as ever, it's all about finding *balance*...b/c to skew to the other extreme, and deny one's emerging sexuality would not be the answer either. it's finding the happy medium between the two...embracing your emerging sexuality but not being inundated with it, overwhelmed by it.

I just noticed your post! Thanks!

I agree about embracing one's emerging sexuality. That's the only way one can have control and responsibility of it. Denying our sexuality means we are overlooking it and therefore would indicate one is not going to stay on top of one's own sexual drives and resulting behaviours. That's when the poor consequences start to roll in.

OutOfBreath · February 2007

angelica wrote:

Consdering issues with teenagers and sex have huge far-reaching consequences, I think this is a serious issue, and one that cannot be glossed over. It has been for far too long. There is a difference between sensationalizing something based on morality with an agenda, and facing an issue that has objective ramifications, and is usually downplayed or ignored at the level of reasoned discussion.

Let me clarify, the problems for the individuals is certainly not to be scoffed at. That's not my point. My point is that the impression of how many this actually applies to tend to be blown out of all proportions. And the resulting reaction in society tend to be paniccy and over-reacting as to how big a problem it really is in numbers.

Ehm, was that clearer?

Peace
Dan

angelica · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

Let me clarify, the problems for the individuals is certainly not to be scoffed at. That's not my point. My point is that the impression of how many this actually applies to tend to be blown out of all proportions. And the resulting reaction in society tend to be paniccy and over-reacting as to how big a problem it really is in numbers.

Ehm, was that clearer?

Peace
Dan

Maybe...... But if you keep saying how the problem gets overblown, I just might feel compelled to keep mentioning the reasonable seriousness of it, though.

OutOfBreath · February 2007

angelica wrote:

Maybe...... But if you keep saying how the problem gets overblown, I just might feel compelled to keep mentioning the reasonable seriousness of it, though.

Certainly. But I also feel that if we're gonna have a media scare (also note how the media thrives on media-criticism, but I digress) with a lot of posturing and pointing fingers, then it should at least be about a truly big problem which applies to many, also in numbers. That's when it's in society's interest, and not only in the private sphere's interest.

And I'm not dismissing the topic, I am merely playing it down, because the way these debates go both on here, and in the media otherwise, it's usually overblown and reactive.

Peace
Dan

angelica · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

Certainly. But I also feel that if we're gonna have a media scare (also note how the media thrives on media-criticism, but I digress) with a lot of posturing and pointing fingers, then it should at least be about a truly big problem which applies to many, also in numbers. That's when it's in society's interest, and not only in the private sphere's interest.

And I'm not dismissing the topic, I am merely playing it down, because the way these debates go both on here, and in the media otherwise, it's usually overblown and reactive.

Peace
Dan

Could you please point out to me the media scare issues you refer to? I'm not seeing the posturing and pointing fingers, but then again, I try to keep away from the mainstream media somewhat. I do know and have known many, many girls who have been oversexualized. These are girls who have lost their own identity to the point of serious problems in their life. The cost to humanity is big, imo. I don't know of one female friend that I've had in my life who is comfortable in her own body compared to the images we see in the media--and I'm talking about to the point that they focus on and vocalize this. I've also known many girls/women of my generation who have been promiscuous in their lives, which goes beyond just liking sex and outletting one's healthy sexuality. I'm wondering where you are getting that the numbers do not indicate a big problem? How is young girls developing on all levels, and beyond just their sexuality not a valid societal issue?

OutOfBreath · February 2007

angelica wrote:

Could you please point out to me the media scare issues you refer to? I'm not seeing the posturing and pointing fingers, but then again, I try to keep away from the mainstream media somewhat.

As do I. But from what I get whenever issues like that comes up, you get moral posturing and a whiff of holier than thouing directed towards the victims here. Or their parents occasionally.

I do know and have known many, many girls who have been oversexualized. These are girls who have lost their own identity to the point of serious problems in their life. The cost to humanity is big, imo. I don't know of one female friend that I've had in my life who is comfortable in her own body compared to the images we see in the media--and I'm talking about to the point that they focus on and vocalize this. I've also known many girls/women of my generation who have been promiscuous in their lives, which goes beyond just liking sex and outletting one's healthy sexuality. I'm wondering where you are getting that the numbers do not indicate a big problem? How is young girls developing on all levels, and beyond just their sexuality not a valid societal issue?

And again, I am not belittleing the problem. I think you misread me, or I misspeak (which is entirely possible). It is an issue worthy of discussion and debate, and of course it is not a good thing for the ones in question, and yes, many women feel they're held up to impossible standards. But if we stick with what I am mainly about, namely the fingerpointing and moralizing stance against (possible) sex among teenagers, then you may see what I am on about. If we're on about objectification of women, that's a somewhat different debate the way I see it, although related.

(edit) OK I'm a bit dense tonight I see. Suffice it to say that I talk about media (over)exposure and ("ordinary") people's reaction to it, while you seem to be talking about the victims. I think we bypass eachother a bit.

Peace
Dan

angelica · February 2007

OutOfBreath wrote:

As do I. But from what I get whenever issues like that comes up, you get moral posturing and a whiff of holier than thouing directed towards the victims here. Or their parents occasionally.

And again, I am not belittleing the problem. I think you misread me, or I misspeak (which is entirely possible). It is an issue worthy of discussion and debate, and of course it is not a good thing for the ones in question, and yes, many women feel they're held up to impossible standards. But if we stick with what I am mainly about, namely the fingerpointing and moralizing stance against (possible) sex among teenagers, then you may see what I am on about. If we're on about objectification of women, that's a somewhat different debate the way I see it, although related.

(edit) OK I'm a bit dense tonight I see. Suffice it to say that I talk about media (over)exposure and ("ordinary") people's reaction to it, while you seem to be talking about the victims. I think we bypass eachother a bit.

Peace
Dan

Okay, I do realize we do get that holier-than-thou thing and attitudes a lot if you are talking about the judgmental attitudes. ie: name calling, judgments, and that condescending kind of vibe you can read between the lines. etc.

Why is this news?

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