I was flipping through channels the other day and landed on MTV. I let out a sigh as I saw that the popular show "Teen Mom" was on. A girl, looking to be about 16 years old, was fighting violently with her mother. Five seconds in and I could not watch anymore. Then I thought about why this show was so popular. I've seen it advertised on magazine covers and commercials. WHY?? I decided to clench my teeth and bare it awhile longer.
"Teen Mom" centers around a few high school girls who mistakenly got pregnant. In most cases (I guess this is season three?) the girls decide to raise the baby while the MTV filming crew follows them around. The show presents the struggles of having a baby at a young age and the responsibilities that come with it. I understand that part. However, these girls are spoiled, materialistic, immature brats that purposely make everything in their lives more dramatic than it needs to be. MTV is smart because, as we all know, drama is like moths to a flame. People loveeee it. According to CNN specialist Melissa Henson, "MTV chooses to focus on the girls' volatile relationships with the babies' fathers or their new body piercings and tattoos. That makes for better TV".
Teen Mom has a cult following that has somehow concluded that it is cool to pregnant. Girls that got pregnant by their trashy, irresponsible boyfriends are famous and rich. Maybe getting pregnant could be their chance for fifteen minutes of fame. So, I wondered, has pregnancy in teenage girls increased since the air of the show, Teen Mom? Fox News asked the same question. It turns out a lot of teen pregnancy stories were presented to MTV since the air of the show in 2009 (after the popularity of "16 and Pregnant", another MTV show) "And despite the spike in teen pregnancy storylines, statistics from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention show that while the number of teen pregnancies in the U.S increased from 435,427 in 2006 to 445,045 in 2007 – they decreased by 2 percent in 2008". Rates now are the lowest they've ever been.
Teen Mom is glamorizing pregnancy, but with proof that teenage pregnancy rates are not increasing, maybe the show should stand for what it is-crap television. Hopefully young girls will realize that it is not cool to raise a child when you still are a child.
---Liz P
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
Materialism for Kids
The name of this blog is Disney Sluts. Now, what did we actually mean when coming up with such a name? Well, as a proud 90s baby, growing up with innocent cartoons and classic Disney movies, I am simply disgusted with what television has to offer children these days. With a complicated, technological world, I understand that television has lost its innocence and simplicity. However, the amount of products advertised and what kid stars wear on these shows, are examples of what our children are exposed to everyday. Kids these days just want more and more, always wanting to stay with the hottest trends. This all makes sense when you turn on the T.V. Commercials are constantly grabbing the attention of kids with the use of celebrities and splashy, fun words. Parents are so overwhelmed with other worries that they just plop their children in front of the television. left to the hands of advertisement. They are left to interpret these images, confused and wanting more. Television stars are portrayed with new, hot clothing and make-up. Their popularity appeals to children and feel as though they could become like that if they bought "this" or wore "that". Parents wonder why kids cry if they don't get what they want, well, think about what is at stake for them! They are not simply upset because of the loss of a toy or skirt, but rather a loss in their subconscious popularity. This needs to stop. Materialism has been familiar to our country for decades, however, it is getting out of control. It's not like kids are the only ones that keep wanting more. Parents are also buying new "toys", whether being big screen televisions or decorations for the house. Why? Because secretly everyone wants to fit in and be better than the rest. It is a competitive, materialistic world, we just need to make sure our kids don't get sucked into the infinite abyss that is our consumerist society.
---Liz P
---Liz P
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Jackie Evancho: An Inspiration for Young Girls
In order to cure some boredom from the usual Sunday night, I channel surf until I find something worth watching. Tonight, I came across the singing prodigy Jackie Evancho. She is an amazing and talented young singer that would put stars like Lady Gaga and Beyonce to shame. One thing that surprises me, besides her incredible voice, is her ability to stay humble and not fall under the influence of society, which seems to be the influence of complete and utter sex appeal.
The reason I say this is because she is standing on stage with celebrity pianists (in this performance, David Foster) and huge symphonies, but yet she is dressed in a simple white dress, cut perfectly and appropriately for her old age of 11. Mind you, simple being that there is NO CLEAVAGE or even anything above the knee showing. As a person relatively concerned with underage girls parading around in clothes that are way too old for them, this surprises me. Her parents must have taken the time to teach this girl modesty and that in order to get attention, girls do not have to parade around in limited clothing and act unintelligent. Jackie is smart (she definitely knows her music) and she shines using her amazing opera-sounding voice.
She may be young, but she seems to have the right kind of mindset and a solid head on her shoulders. She first appeared on "America's Got Talent" and won over the crowd easily with her charm and amazing voice. Despite all the fame, her family helps keep her grounded with schoolwork (never forget an education can take you places), friends, and staying a child as long as possible.
Personally, Jackie shines as an inspiration to girls everywhere showing that despite anything someone may say about you (for example, "she's too young to be able to sing like that"), you can do whatever you put your mind to!
The reason I say this is because she is standing on stage with celebrity pianists (in this performance, David Foster) and huge symphonies, but yet she is dressed in a simple white dress, cut perfectly and appropriately for her old age of 11. Mind you, simple being that there is NO CLEAVAGE or even anything above the knee showing. As a person relatively concerned with underage girls parading around in clothes that are way too old for them, this surprises me. Her parents must have taken the time to teach this girl modesty and that in order to get attention, girls do not have to parade around in limited clothing and act unintelligent. Jackie is smart (she definitely knows her music) and she shines using her amazing opera-sounding voice.
She may be young, but she seems to have the right kind of mindset and a solid head on her shoulders. She first appeared on "America's Got Talent" and won over the crowd easily with her charm and amazing voice. Despite all the fame, her family helps keep her grounded with schoolwork (never forget an education can take you places), friends, and staying a child as long as possible.
Personally, Jackie shines as an inspiration to girls everywhere showing that despite anything someone may say about you (for example, "she's too young to be able to sing like that"), you can do whatever you put your mind to!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Evolution of Beauty
I was sitting through my Healthy American class last week while we were discussing body image and the evolution of beauty throughout time. They showed pictures of sickly skinny celebrities such as Nicole Richie and Lindsay Lohan. Then they stopped at Marilyn Monroe. Now, we all know that Miss Monroe was and still is a beauty icon. However, when they showed others like her such as voluptuous Christina Hendricks from t.v. show Mad Men, I started to see things in a new light and I asked myself just why has beauty changed so drastically over the years?
It's sad because young girls model what they see. If they hear that so-and-so is pretty, they try and emulate her. If they see the larger kids get bullied, they know what NOT to look like in order to avoid such problems. The pressure to be thin is seen everywhere!-from billboards to television, even in their own living rooms. Parents must take credit for their children's ideas of what is beautiful. Popular television stations such as Disney and Nickelodeon need to show kids that beauty comes in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. These beliefs need to be reinforced over and over and seen everywhere enough for it to become a trend, thus evolving the ideal beauty image.
In some cultures, such as one in Nouakchott, Mauritania, fat is beautiful. If you are skinny, men do not want you and you cannot reproduce. Women strive to gain weight and put on the pounds. There is even a hut dedicated to eating before a wedding ceremony. They think that big is beautiful because it shows that you are well off enough to never go hungry and can care for a family. Ancient fertility figurines found show that wide hips and huge breasts were the desired woman because they too can provide for a family and give birth. Now, women have no breasts, a hint of hips, and can barely stand without being blown over. Yet, men still find them sexy. Why? Those primal senses for reproduction are still there. Has industrialization and technology somehow morphed our thinking?
So, maybe the beauty movement can start with you. Don't be afraid to show off those curves. Teach young girls that skinny doesn't always mean pretty. Confidence is key. Humans in general are beautiful people that are made to be different. Why resort to just one look that everyone strives for? It is human nature and survival of the fittest I suppose, however, it is our world that has created a society for the beautiful. They may get better jobs, always get the man, and succeed overall. However, just because someone is nice to look at does not make them better. It will take time, but our world can shift the way people see beauty with one step at a time.
---Liz P
It's sad because young girls model what they see. If they hear that so-and-so is pretty, they try and emulate her. If they see the larger kids get bullied, they know what NOT to look like in order to avoid such problems. The pressure to be thin is seen everywhere!-from billboards to television, even in their own living rooms. Parents must take credit for their children's ideas of what is beautiful. Popular television stations such as Disney and Nickelodeon need to show kids that beauty comes in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. These beliefs need to be reinforced over and over and seen everywhere enough for it to become a trend, thus evolving the ideal beauty image.
In some cultures, such as one in Nouakchott, Mauritania, fat is beautiful. If you are skinny, men do not want you and you cannot reproduce. Women strive to gain weight and put on the pounds. There is even a hut dedicated to eating before a wedding ceremony. They think that big is beautiful because it shows that you are well off enough to never go hungry and can care for a family. Ancient fertility figurines found show that wide hips and huge breasts were the desired woman because they too can provide for a family and give birth. Now, women have no breasts, a hint of hips, and can barely stand without being blown over. Yet, men still find them sexy. Why? Those primal senses for reproduction are still there. Has industrialization and technology somehow morphed our thinking?
So, maybe the beauty movement can start with you. Don't be afraid to show off those curves. Teach young girls that skinny doesn't always mean pretty. Confidence is key. Humans in general are beautiful people that are made to be different. Why resort to just one look that everyone strives for? It is human nature and survival of the fittest I suppose, however, it is our world that has created a society for the beautiful. They may get better jobs, always get the man, and succeed overall. However, just because someone is nice to look at does not make them better. It will take time, but our world can shift the way people see beauty with one step at a time.
---Liz P
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Child Super Models
While browsing the internet I came across an article about how certain companies are using young girls to market adult fashions. Magazines like french vogue are famous for this and have been doing it for years. This magazines photographs young girls, barely in their teens, while posing in a sexual type positon, with sultry looks on their faces, and some barely wearing clothes. Even though these barely clothed girls are in swimsuits, this doesn't make it any better. There are arguments and comments on these photos saying that it is basically child pornography and that children should not be subject to selling adult items. Do these companies have no other options with appropriate age models that they have to pry on children. I guess I just don't understand the thought process behind children selling adult styled bikinis and posing with sensual looks. If french vogue is trying to appeal to pedophiles, great job! There are so many problems these days about keeping children safe and away from pedophiles, kidnappers and the like, and then we put children out there to be seen half naked by all that pray on them.
So i decided to look into the topic a bit more. After Googling child super models, i came across a disturbing and unsettling website. http://www.modlinks.com/ Take a look. Basically, this website shows little girls posing in bathing suits with the website claiming to be the "Only totally LEGAL no-nude models collection." This honestly does not sit right with me and the only thing I can think with the "only totally LEGAL no-nude models collection" is that this is super sketchy.
These are a couple pictures from that exact website. First of all, these pictures do not look professionally taken which freaks me out and has me worry about the safety of these girls, and second, THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT! In this case, they aren't even trying to sell anything, it is just pictures of half naked children. What is the purpose of this website? Why is it devoted to young girls in bathing suits? and WTF?!
Another website I came across is called LITTLE MODELS. http://www.little-model.biz/
Again, the website has girls as young as 6 years old, all the way to 16 years old, posing like this.
If you continue down the page of the website, the website gives you option to look at divine pre-teens in which the website will offer you "the most petite, divine, and charming young girls that will hopefully be the pleasure of your lifetime", "we will show you elite pre-teens in a way that you will never forget", and "juicy young girls, provacative posing only, no-nude, but bathing suits and sexy lingerie." This may be the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. How can children be put through this. Where are the parents? If a child has no parents, where is the government? This is sick!
Brittany A
So i decided to look into the topic a bit more. After Googling child super models, i came across a disturbing and unsettling website. http://www.modlinks.com/ Take a look. Basically, this website shows little girls posing in bathing suits with the website claiming to be the "Only totally LEGAL no-nude models collection." This honestly does not sit right with me and the only thing I can think with the "only totally LEGAL no-nude models collection" is that this is super sketchy.
These are a couple pictures from that exact website. First of all, these pictures do not look professionally taken which freaks me out and has me worry about the safety of these girls, and second, THIS JUST ISN'T RIGHT! In this case, they aren't even trying to sell anything, it is just pictures of half naked children. What is the purpose of this website? Why is it devoted to young girls in bathing suits? and WTF?!
Another website I came across is called LITTLE MODELS. http://www.little-model.biz/
Again, the website has girls as young as 6 years old, all the way to 16 years old, posing like this.
If you continue down the page of the website, the website gives you option to look at divine pre-teens in which the website will offer you "the most petite, divine, and charming young girls that will hopefully be the pleasure of your lifetime", "we will show you elite pre-teens in a way that you will never forget", and "juicy young girls, provacative posing only, no-nude, but bathing suits and sexy lingerie." This may be the most disgusting thing I have ever seen. How can children be put through this. Where are the parents? If a child has no parents, where is the government? This is sick!
Brittany A
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Parties Without the Clowns
This past weekend I was invited to a party of sorts and since I had nothing else to do I decided to go, simply for the social aspect. After the long haul out to the middle of nowhere, about 45 minutes from a decent, normal sized city, I arrived at what they called the "party trailer." Never having been there before I definitely did not know what to expect, but some of the things were even more shocking to me that what you would normally find at any weekend party. The simple fact that there were girls as young as 14 at this party helped me make up my mind to only stay for the 20 minutes that I did. I remember asking a friend about these 4 girls who looked extremely young. Finding out that they were freshmen and sophomores in high school made me wonder what the hell were they doing in a place this like. Their parents can't just be ok with this idea and then again they probably don't know what the exact situation is. 15 year old Rachel, I assume, said she is spending the night at Becca's. They might rent a movie, have pillow fights and stay up late drinking soda and eating candy. Of course, why would her parents have to worry. Why would their baby girl tell them she is going to a sleepover when really she is out in a trailer, drinking and acting like a slut with people who are ages 20-27. I found this appalling. I couldn't help but laugh and look at them with a confused look on my face.
Not only did the fact that they were there bug me in general, but how did they get there? Like I said, this place was in the middle of the country. These girls do not have their license, and therefore someone older would have had to give them a ride. Since the youngest guy I could find there was 19, this made me suspicious. 14 and 15 year old girls, riding an hour with a college boy to a party in a trailer. What are they thinking and what is this guy thinking. Easy targets? If you saw the way they were dressed, I would say yes.
The disgusting part of this situation isn't necessarily the fact that the girls were at this party in the first place, but the way that they dressed to come to this college party. I know the trends in high schools these days are a bit scandalous, but I'm pretty sure high schoolers should not be wearing mini skirts with their ass hanging out, hooker boots and low cut off the shoulder shirts, with no coats.........in 30 degree weather. One guy at the party made a comment to me about why I don't have more buttons on my shirt undone as if to be a tease like the rest of the girls who were there. THEY ARE 14! First of all, i was disgusted by the thought that this guy was being "teased" by 14 year olds, and second, I told him, I am not immature, I am not 14, I don't need to show off my body for attention.
Anyways, the point I am trying to make is that at 14 I was actually at sleep-overs, drinking soda, and watching movies. Teens these days need to stick to age appropriate activities, stop trying to grow up so fast, and wear clothes that make people respect them.
Brittany A
Not only did the fact that they were there bug me in general, but how did they get there? Like I said, this place was in the middle of the country. These girls do not have their license, and therefore someone older would have had to give them a ride. Since the youngest guy I could find there was 19, this made me suspicious. 14 and 15 year old girls, riding an hour with a college boy to a party in a trailer. What are they thinking and what is this guy thinking. Easy targets? If you saw the way they were dressed, I would say yes.
The disgusting part of this situation isn't necessarily the fact that the girls were at this party in the first place, but the way that they dressed to come to this college party. I know the trends in high schools these days are a bit scandalous, but I'm pretty sure high schoolers should not be wearing mini skirts with their ass hanging out, hooker boots and low cut off the shoulder shirts, with no coats.........in 30 degree weather. One guy at the party made a comment to me about why I don't have more buttons on my shirt undone as if to be a tease like the rest of the girls who were there. THEY ARE 14! First of all, i was disgusted by the thought that this guy was being "teased" by 14 year olds, and second, I told him, I am not immature, I am not 14, I don't need to show off my body for attention.
Anyways, the point I am trying to make is that at 14 I was actually at sleep-overs, drinking soda, and watching movies. Teens these days need to stick to age appropriate activities, stop trying to grow up so fast, and wear clothes that make people respect them.
Brittany A
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Too Much Seen on Halloween
In honor of this past Halloween, I would like to bring up a simple question...are Halloween costumes too slutty?
Yes. Halloween has been a staple in the world of drinking and partying for many years, but the costumes seem to always be the thing to take the bowl of Reese's. Unfortunately, these costumes are starting to affect how our children are dressing. I remember being a kid and going trick or treating with some robe-like costume and having it just drape all over me, covering my whole body. Now, some kids have costumes that are too short, require things like fishnets (umm..excuse me?), or show just a little too much skin.
I understand that if a 20+ year old woman wants to wear this sort of thing, hell I wish I could, but our children definitely need to learn that this is not acceptable behavior for kids who still rely on their parents to tuck them into bed at night. I've walked through the Halloween isles this year, still shaking my head. Most costumes are luck to even cover the knee! If I was a parent, I would be terrified to even bring my child to buy a costume.
Maybe this is the problem though. Some parents are just willing to let their kids dress however they wish and be a friend, rather than stand up to their child and be their parent. Kids need to hold on to their youth as long as possible, and with these costumes it is going to be super hard to do so. Since I am only in college, I obviously do not know how to lecture a parent or even be one myself, but I do know that trying to hold on to one's youth is important to a happy childhood. These kids need to focus on eating as much candy as possible on Halloween and also not worry about how far they can sit down without their costume going up just a little too high. I mean, would you let your kids dress like that?
-Maggie
Yes. Halloween has been a staple in the world of drinking and partying for many years, but the costumes seem to always be the thing to take the bowl of Reese's. Unfortunately, these costumes are starting to affect how our children are dressing. I remember being a kid and going trick or treating with some robe-like costume and having it just drape all over me, covering my whole body. Now, some kids have costumes that are too short, require things like fishnets (umm..excuse me?), or show just a little too much skin.
I understand that if a 20+ year old woman wants to wear this sort of thing, hell I wish I could, but our children definitely need to learn that this is not acceptable behavior for kids who still rely on their parents to tuck them into bed at night. I've walked through the Halloween isles this year, still shaking my head. Most costumes are luck to even cover the knee! If I was a parent, I would be terrified to even bring my child to buy a costume.
Maybe this is the problem though. Some parents are just willing to let their kids dress however they wish and be a friend, rather than stand up to their child and be their parent. Kids need to hold on to their youth as long as possible, and with these costumes it is going to be super hard to do so. Since I am only in college, I obviously do not know how to lecture a parent or even be one myself, but I do know that trying to hold on to one's youth is important to a happy childhood. These kids need to focus on eating as much candy as possible on Halloween and also not worry about how far they can sit down without their costume going up just a little too high. I mean, would you let your kids dress like that?
-Maggie
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