Tuesday, September 02, 2003
This posting, from the wonderful adrants, is about the new movie Thirteen, about young teenage girls who experiment with sex & drugs. Though I haven't seen it yet, I've read plenty about it.
Apparently, the reviewer of this movie partially blames the onslaught of marketing which he claims influences these girls to try to fit in by emulating what they see in the media.
I agree that having role models like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera may not be the healthiest thing for pre-teen girls (just wait till Hillary Duff turns...). But I went through pretty much the same thing the Thirteen girls experienced in the late 70's (although I was slightly older at the time--15). We didn't have anything near the media & marketing attention these teens attract (no MTV, etc.) However, there was the same peer pressure, social anxiety (and no Paxil!), etc.
So I'm reluctant to put the blame on media & marketing. Please. Some teens just go through this phase. Excellent parenting that helps build self-esteem might prevent this behavior, but not always. (I can't wait to see this film.)
Apparently, the reviewer of this movie partially blames the onslaught of marketing which he claims influences these girls to try to fit in by emulating what they see in the media.
I agree that having role models like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera may not be the healthiest thing for pre-teen girls (just wait till Hillary Duff turns...). But I went through pretty much the same thing the Thirteen girls experienced in the late 70's (although I was slightly older at the time--15). We didn't have anything near the media & marketing attention these teens attract (no MTV, etc.) However, there was the same peer pressure, social anxiety (and no Paxil!), etc.
So I'm reluctant to put the blame on media & marketing. Please. Some teens just go through this phase. Excellent parenting that helps build self-esteem might prevent this behavior, but not always. (I can't wait to see this film.)
