How do we keep children children in this "sex sells" at any age world?

Question

Whether it's tv, radio or magazine- it's hard to keep advertisers and business selling grown up ideas to kids. So other than limiting childrens interaction with these things and talking to them about it, and coming up things that we can do that I can ensure are more kid oriented- what else could I do to ensure that my kids get a chance to be kids while trying to shut out the majority of these inappropriate subject matters affecting them? It's to the point that even kids cartoons have sleazy innuendos. Or am I just pushing to hard?

Answer 1

I think you have hit it right on the head. I think that the media is getting worse and worse every month, to say nothing of every season. Some cartoons have such blatant images. I believe that as parents, we have the right, and the responsiblitiy to protect our children's innocence. We need to be much more proactive than we have been. We start buy shutting off the TV and sending them outside to play (okay, we'll supervise). We also need to support Feature Films for Families and other groups which make GOOD entertainment for children.

My husband and I cancelled our satellite tv. It was really hard for a while, and I still go through Glenn Beck withdrawls. but by and large, the atmosphere in our home is much improved...and there are no skanky commercials playing, ever.

Answer 2

Cartoons had sleazy innuendos when I was a kid, and I am talking about Popeye saving Olive Oil from Bluto attacking her, and Bugs Bunny cross dressing here. The job falls on the parent to do the education. These corporations are only interested in their bottom line profit. They do not care about little Susie or Johnny as long as they can take their cruise and drive a Porche. That is business, and it is not going to change. Parents on the other hand need to be very involved with their children. Monitoring everything they watch and read, and when they are on the internet. As for the cartoons, I really didn't understand them, and a lot of the stuff was overy my head. It is when they have become enlightened with the sex education information that they begin to put 2 and 2 together. Stay on top of the internet, friends, and explain, explain, explain. Hopefully some of it sinks in, and they will grow up to be responsible adults. Same thing goes for sex. Just because they have birth control, doesn't make it okay for them to have sex before they are out of highschool. Far too many kids do not use it anyway.

Answer 3

It's hard to keep kids from being exposed to these types of things, and since they will more than likely be exposed to it in some form or another, the only thing I can suggest is just talking to them about it. I was a sheltered child when I was growing up, and it didn't help me at all when I came to experience such things. So don't try to shield them from the inevitable. Prepare their minds so that they know what is appropriate for them. If something comes on the TV about Paris Hilton, or one of the gang, don't immediately change the channel, but talk to them about how their behavior is inappropriate, and you wouldn't like them to behave that way. Also keep an eye out for the friends that they make along the way. Friends almost always have an influence, whether it's good or bad. Encourage them to think for themselves and not be led astray by others.

Answer 4

You aren't going to change the world, so you have to work on your kids. Things have been like that since I was a kid, and most kids still grow up right. I'd focus on substance v. appearance, and point out that things aren't always as they seem. Even in the eighties when I grew up, it seemed like everyone was having sex--but when you look at actual surveys, half of kids are virgins at 18--everyone isn't doing it!

Also, don't be silly about it. Make sure they are strong enough that they will do what they want to do, and not what anyone else says they should do. Make sure they make good friends and boy/girl friends--if your kid is in love with a great person and they decide to have sex, you don't have nearly as many worries as the parent of the kid who uses sex to find love. Try to see their side--when kids get to a certain age, you have to appeal to their self interest, telling them what to do just won't work any more. You don't want to be their opponent in everything fun, but you want to keep them out of trouble. You need a mix between the 'be their friend' and 'do what I tell you, I'm smarter than you' approach. They need to respect you for your ideas, not your authority.

How old are the kids?--some of this may be advice for later on.

Answer 5

Depending on the age of the person, you can't. You can't stop a 16 year old from watching a porno, you can't stop a 14 year old from watching the hero make out with the girl. You just need to make sure that they are more educated then they were before. Protecting them in their teens is going to hurt them more than it will help. But at younger ages, you can make sure they are watching what YOU want them to watch. When I have a child, I don't plan on letting them watch anything other than pre selected things untill around TEN. Perhaps the occasional movie with my husband and I, but no way would I let my child watch tv on their own. It's brain rotting. Even now, yes, I watch spongebob, and I have nick running, and all I can see are these commericals advertising bratz dolls, mini computers with games for young girls that relate to fashion, etc. Its BRAIN rotting. Why in gods name does a ten year old girl need to know about fashion? SHES TEN! I didn't get to have designer purses, jeans, etc. When I was little. I had whatever was pretty and on sale at the mall. And it is creating a mini Paris Hilton. She sees a brand new doll on tv, shes going to want it, she sees a toy, etc.

She gets what I give her, watches what I tell her, etc. There is not reason any child under ten should be free roaming the TV channels.

And did anyone watch that Naked Brothers band show? I was horrified. These boys can't be more than nine, and they are singing about girls and kissing them? Laying next to them? Nick has rotted away! What happend to sitting down and watching the rugrats, or looney tunes?

Answer 6

As long as you stay involved in their lives and be open with them when they ask questions, then they'll be all right. You can't keep them from growing up, and today they grow up faster than they did 50 years ago. It's just how the world is now, and you can't change that. All you can do is make sure that they are prepared for the world when they do grow up. That means, when sex questions come up, answer them honestly. Make sure that when they are in the 4th-5th grade that the school they attend has a good, comprehensive sex education program.

So, you really can't keep them from growing up too fast, but you can make sure that they're ready.

Answer 7

for thousands of years people talked openly about sex and didnt act ashamed or embarrassed about it. that was healthy and it talk children that there is nothing sleazy about sex and that they could talk about it in a good way.

in this culture people try to hide sex from their children as though it was a dirty little secret, and that is why it seems so sleazy. sex is not an inappropriate subject when its talked about in the right way.

in order to ensure that your children will have a healthly view of sex start talking about it without making it dirty. as they grow they will have questions and if you answer them like you would any other question they will mature into a well rounded adult.

Answer 8

My child who is five does not watch TV. I select the few videos/DVDs he watches. His music is selected children's songs and classics. Books are selected by me. Again the classics are the best because they are not filled with New World Order brainwashing garbage. His school must be strict too as to content. Protect when they are young and educate as they get older. When they are adult then they will have the background they need and can rely on. Children cannot be children subjected to the garbage of popular culture.

Answer 9

I personally believe you are pushing to hard! Children are very observant and although they are children they see see the adult content of this world. Communication, understand and guidance is what I believe aids there growth but, allow them to be children at the same time! I'm not a religious person but the bible state that we should guide our children in the way we want them to go. That doesn't mean that they will but we must still love them because they never stop being our children. Parents are only responsible to love their children and do their best to train them in the way they should go. We will be held accountable for how we loved our children. But ultimately, they must choose for themselves the road they will take.

Answer 10

Make sure their friends are of the same age group and that you approve of them. Keep them involved in extra curricular activities such as sports or music etc. Know what they are watching and what it is rated. Know where they are going and who with and what adults will be supervising. Have family time as much as possible but let them have friends over to participate.