Is Modern TV Promoting Over-Sexualization to Children?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the portrayal of sexual themes in modern television, particularly how they may affect children. Participants express concerns about the appropriateness of content on networks like MTV and Comedy Central, as well as performances by artists like the Pussycat Dolls. The conversation explores the implications of such media on young audiences and the responsibilities of parents in monitoring what their children consume.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express concern about the overtly sexual themes in media aimed at children, citing specific examples like the Pussycat Dolls' performances.
  • Others argue that exposing children to the human body is not inherently harmful, but the sexualization of content targeted at children is problematic.
  • There is a viewpoint that parents have the responsibility to monitor their children's media consumption and that they should not blame external sources for what their children watch.
  • Some participants suggest that the current state of MTV and similar networks has deteriorated, focusing more on reality shows than music, which they find disappointing.
  • A few participants highlight the difference between nudity and sexual content, stating that the latter is inappropriate for children.
  • Concerns are raised about the influence of media figures and the commercialization of music, suggesting that artists are often products of corporate interests rather than genuine talent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the appropriateness of sexual content in media aimed at children. While some believe it is harmful and should be restricted, others argue that it is the responsibility of parents to manage what their children watch. There is no consensus on whether the portrayal of such themes is acceptable or detrimental.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying opinions on the impact of media on children, with some emphasizing the need for parental control and others questioning the nature of content available on cable television versus local broadcasts. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and cultural perspectives on media consumption.

  • #31
jreelawg said:
Yeah, but doesn't it suck to have to censor the american musical awards, or so you thing you can dance etc, from your children?

If you're censoring that from your kids, then I really feel sorry for them.

The first song was random and involved one instance of "penis" which wasn't even said.

The second song? What was bad about that? She wanted to be famous, she apparently sang her way there, and now she's famous. So?
 
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  • #32
jreelawg said:
If you read their lyrics and decode the messages it is disturbing. I'll challenge anyone here to find lyrics from the 60's which compare to lyrics in music now days.

Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There

Well she was just seventeen
You know what I mean
And the way she looked
Was way beyond compare
So how could I dance with another,
Oh, when I saw her standing there

Well she looked at me
and I, I could see
That before too long
I'd fall in love with her
She wouldn't dance with another
Oh, when I saw her standing there

Well my heart went boom
When I crossed that room
And I held her hand in mine

Oh we danced through the night
And we held each other tight
And before too long
I fell in love with her
Now I'll never dance with another
Oh, when I saw her standing there

Well my heart went boom
When I crossed that room
And I held her hand in mine

Oh we danced through the night
And we held each other tight
And before too long
I fell in love with her
Now I'll never dance with another
Oh, when I saw her standing there
Oh, since I saw her standing there
Yeah, well since I saw her standing there
 
  • #33
jreelawg said:
If you read their lyrics and decode the messages it is disturbing. I'll challenge anyone here to find lyrics from the 60's which compare to lyrics in music now days.

Neil Diamond - Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon

Love you so much, can't count all the ways
Id die for you girl, and all they can say is
Hes not your kind

They never get tired of puttin me down
And I never know when I come around
What I am going to find
Dont let them make up your mind
Dont you know

Girl, youll be a woman soon
Please come take my hand
Girl, youll be a woman soon
Soon youll need a man

Ive been misunderstood for all of my life
But what theyre sayin, girl, just cuts like a knife
The boys no good

Well, I finally found what I've been looking for
But if they get the chance, theyll end it for sure
Sure they would
Baby, I've done all I could
Its up to you

Girl, youll be a woman soon
Please come take my hand
Girl, youll be a woman soon
Soon youll need a man
 
  • #34
jreelawg said:
If you read their lyrics and decode the messages it is disturbing. I'll challenge anyone here to find lyrics from the 60's which compare to lyrics in music now days.

This one is so over the top I don't even know if I should put it, but oh well.

Tom Jones - What's New Pussycat

What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
Pussycat, Pussycat
I've got flowers
And lots of hours
To spend with you.
So go and powder your cute little pussycat nose!
Pussycat, Pussycat
I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat nose!
What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
Pussycat, Pussycat
You're so thrilling
And I'm so willing
To care for you.
So go and make up your cute little pussycat face!
Pussycat, Pussycat
I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat face!
What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
What's new pussycat? Woah, Woah
Pussycat, Pussycat
You're delicious
And if my wishes
Can all come true
I'll soon be kissing your sweet little pussycat lips!
Pussycat, Pussycat
I love you
Yes, I do!
You and your pussycat lips!
You and your pussycat eyes!
You and your pussycat nose!
 
  • #35
jreelawg said:
If you read their lyrics and decode the messages it is disturbing. I'll challenge anyone here to find lyrics from the 60's which compare to lyrics in music now days.

Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love

You need coolin, baby, I am not foolin,
Im going to send you back to schoolin,
Way down inside honey, you need it,
Im going to give you my love,
Im going to give you my love.

Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?

Youve been learnin, baby, I bean learnin,
All them good times, baby, baby, I've been yearnin,
Way, way down inside honey, you need it,
Im going to give you my love,
Im going to give you my love.

Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?

(various mumblings and screechings with cool effects)

Youve been coolin, baby, I've been droolin,
All the good times I've been misusin,
Way, way down inside, I am going to give you my love,
Im going to give you every inch of my love,
Gonna give you my love.
Yeah! all right! let's go!

Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?
Wanna whole lotta love?

Way down inside, woman,
You need love.

Shake for me, girl
I want to be your backdoor man.
Hey, oh, hey, oh
Oh, oh, oh
Keep a-coolin, baby,
Keep a-coolin, baby.
 
  • #36
WarPhalange said:
Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There
Well she was just seventeen
You know what I mean
The age of consent in the UK is 16, so the Beatles were saying the equivalent of "she was legal".

Good luck getting airplay for Mr Clapton's 'Cocaine' today!
 
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  • #38
jreelawg said:
I'll challenge anyone here to find lyrics from the 60's which compare to lyrics in music now days.
The FBI spent 2years investigating 'Louie Louie' http://www.louielouie.net/11-fbi.htm
 
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  • #39
russ_watters said:
So... is this all new? Was music not sexually suggestive 20, 40, 60 years ago? And how 'bout the drugs? koo koo ka choo!

Let's try a couple decades:
1989
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8NhJNpQlsY
1975
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmR72PvzHM
The Broadway musical originally opened in 1971
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blcvkFqeKac
:biggrin:

Regarding the OP, seriously, if you think seeing a stripper pole in a music video is hardcore sexual imagery or porn, you have likely been VERY sheltered. Scenes with women dancing around stripper poles have been on TV as long as I've been allowed to watch TV. Of course, the women are always dressed on most TV channels. As a kid, I had no idea that had anything to do with stripping, because the scenes shown always had women in glittery, sequined outfits. I just thought it was dancing, period. I'm sure my parents loved that I'd flip around the lolly columns in the basement in my own imitation of "dancing" as a kid. :biggrin:

The song you're objecting to doesn't bother me at all. It's more cautionary than anything else, particularly with the line, "Watch what you wish for, because you just might get it." And, sorry, but little girls DO think about those things...they play dress up and stuff mommy's bras...it doesn't mean anything other than every little kid wants to be a grown up. It's the grown-ups who realize they don't want to be grown up!

And, I agree with hypatia. If you don't think something is suitable for your kids, don't let them watch it. I'm not about to leave the Spice channel accessible in a kid's bedroom, for example. But if I had a kid who wanted to sneak peeks at my anatomy textbooks to giggle over body parts, I'm also not going to flip out over it (but the day I caught them would be the day they get the dry, boring version of my lecture about what those parts are and why we have them).

I also think kids used to be much more exposed to sex than they are today. Kids used to grow up on farms where animals were bred, and they learned pretty young how those babies got there and where they came out from. I don't think it took a lot of imagination after that to figure out that the same concepts applied to people.
 
  • #40
Let's not forget what the term "rock and roll" originally meant.
 
  • #41
These ladies performed live each week on the prime time BBC(!) music show in the 70s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTEMUBM70yU
 
  • #42
Here's some lyrics from 1947. :biggrin:

http://lyricsplayground.com/alpha/songs/s/sallyletyourbangs.shtml

I'll find out what Sally's got
Makes a man think she's so hot
Sally let your bangs hang down(Instrumental Break)He saw Sally changin' clothes
She was in a perfect pose
Sally let your bangs hang downShe caught me a-peepin' in
I don't think it was a sin
Sally let your bangs hang down
 
  • #43
Ok, now compare those examples of "extreme" older music to say "too short", or lil kim.

But anyways, my main concern is the opinions being expressed. For example the belief that a person is only worth what they own(money), and that to get it and piss on everyone else, you have to lie and be sneaky and sell your body, or kill people.

But on top of this is the obvious multiple personality these icons have. Why, because they aren't themselves, they are actors playing out a part. One song will be all about being sneaking and using people to get what you want behind their back, and then backstabbing them, and refusing to let themselves love anyone or be honest to anyone.

Then the next song is about how they aren't going to be womanized and how they aren't the type of girl who is for sale.

No wonder so many young people are bipolar. They first chant to mantra of piss on me I'm a whore, and then they chant to the mantra of I'm a special person who deserves someone who really loves me for who I am.

I am reminded of the south park episode where cartman goes on Mary Povich and pretends to be an out of control girl who has sex does drugs and gangbangs, and exterminates jews.

I think the phrase that sums up the attitude is "I don't give a ****".

It is somehow cool now days to not care about yourself or others.
 
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  • #44
Darn! Has nobody here listened to blues?

Spoonful
Back Door Man
One Way Out

You want a list?
 
  • #45
Moonbear said:
I also think kids used to be much more exposed to sex than they are today. Kids used to grow up on farms where animals were bred, and they learned pretty young how those babies got there and where they came out from. I don't think it took a lot of imagination after that to figure out that the same concepts applied to people.


There is a big difference, Neither I nor my peers ever idolised or wanted to emulate what we saw going on in the barnyard.

When todays kids see pop idols they want to do what they are doing and dress the way they dress. Briteny Spears alone gave us a generation of 13 year old female mall rats and young guys with absolutely no sense of morality.:devil:

EDIT:

Television can make your teenager pregnant.

Not directly, of course. But the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics is releasing a study today, linking sexual content on television with the teenage pregnancy rate.

The research was done by the nonpartisan nonprofit Rand Corporation and tracked 700 subjects, age 12 through 17, for three years. Those who saw the most necking, flirting, touching, sexual conversation and sex scenes on TV during that period of time were twice as likely to become pregnant or make their partner pregnant than those who saw the least. (Specifically, 25 percent of those who watched such scenes most often were involved in a pregnancy, compared with 12 percent who watched the fewest sexual scenes.)



http://parenting.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/11/03/can-tv-make-your-teen-pregnant/
 
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  • #46
edward said:
There is a big difference, Neither I nor my peers ever idolised or wanted to emulate what we saw going on in the barnyard.

When todays kids see pop idols they want to do what they are doing and dress the way they dress. Briteny Spears alone gave us a generation of 13 year old female mall rats and young guys with absolutely no sense of morality.:devil:

That's because they never had to watch Britney Spears actually have sex, or else they might think the same as you did about the barnyard animals. I think keeping things partially covered up increases the temptation rather than reduces it, because it's all still wrapped up in a pretty package with a big bow on top, and fantasy is much more exciting than reality.
 
  • #47
It is kind of disturbing reading some of their lyrics because above is the list of names, of all who wrote them. And on the cover is the person who has to say them.

lets just say, that I was blackmailing you, and I made you give a speech every week that I wrote. Sometimes I write things like, I'm your slave and there's nothing I can do to stop you. I am dirt, I am trash. Then you have to go recite it.
 
  • #48
Moonbear said:
That's because they never had to watch Britney Spears actually have sex, or else they might think the same as you did about the barnyard animals. I think keeping things partially covered up increases the temptation rather than reduces it, because it's all still wrapped up in a pretty package with a big bow on top, and fantasy is much more exciting than reality.

OOPS I went back and sdded to post 45.

Where can I get a nice package and a big bow??:smile:
 
  • #49
jreelawg said:
It is kind of disturbing reading some of their lyrics because above is the list of names, of all who wrote them. And on the cover is the person who has to say them.

lets just say, that I was blackmailing you, and I made you give a speech every week that I wrote. Sometimes I write things like, I'm your slave and there's nothing I can do to stop you. I am dirt, I am trash. Then you have to go recite it.

I don't understand what you're trying to argue. Pay me tens of millions of dollars, and I'll gladly recite that line. So what? It's just words.
 
  • #50
I am just arguing that a public display and glorification of prostitution disturbs me. It doesn't have to disturb you. There is a reason Britney Spears has gone loony before turning 21, already heavily depressed and relying on drugs to keep from crying. There is a reason she had been suicidal, sent to an institution to wear a strait jacket preventing her from harming herself. I hardly doubt it has to do with her money, but probably more to do with the fact that she doesn't know who she is, and can't trust anyone she knows.
 
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  • #51
jreelawg said:
No wonder so many young people are bipolar.

Wait, are you actually saying that music causes Bipolar Disorder? That music gives you a fundamental imbalance in the chemicals in your brain?

They first chant to mantra of piss on me I'm a whore, and then they chant to the mantra of I'm a special person who deserves someone who really loves me for who I am.

And kids are so stupid they just listen to everything they're told?

It is somehow cool now days to not care about yourself or others.

It's always been "cool" to be a total jerk and prick. The only difference is the definitions of what those are have changed.
Here, have some more lyrics. I listen to these songs, by the way.

Megadeth said:
Good Mourning.

Hey, I don't feel so good.
Something's not right,
Something's coming over me
What the **** is this?
AAaaaaahhhh!Killer, intruder, homicidal man.
If you see me coming, run as fast as you can.
A blood thirsty demon who's stalking the street.
I hack up my victims like pieces of meat.
Blood thirsty demon, sinister fiend,
Bludgeonous slaughters, my evil deeds.

My hammer's a cold piece of blood-lethal steel.
I grin while you writhe with the pain that I deal.
Swinging the hammer, I hack through their heads,
Deviant defilers, you're next to be dead.
I unleash my hammer with sadistic intent.
Pounding, surrounding, slamming through your head. Yeah...

Their bodies convulse, in agony, and, pain.
I mangle their faces, till no features remain.
A blade for the butchering, I cut them to shreds.
First take out the organs, then cut off the head.
The remains of flesh now sop under my feet.
One more bloody massacre, the murders' complete.
I seek to dismember, a sadist fiend.
A blood bath's my way of getting clean.
I lurk in the alleys, wait for the kill.
I have no remorse for the blood that I spill
A merciless butcher who lives underground.
I'm out to destroy you and ,I will, cut you down.
I see you, and, I'm waiting ,for Black Friday.

Killer, intruder, homicidal man.
If you see me coming, run as fast as you can.
A blood thirsty demon who's stalking the street.
I hack up my victims like pieces of meat.
I lurk in the alleys, wait for the kill.
I have no remorse for the blood that I spill
A merciless butcher who lives underground.
I'm out to destroy you and ,I will, cut you down.

It's Black Friday, paint the devil on the wall.

Megadeth has sold millions of albums. How many people do you know that do any of the things in that song? Because I don't, and that song is actually fairly tame compared to some other bands.
 
  • #52
WarPhalange said:
Wait, are you actually saying that music causes Bipolar Disorder? That music gives you a fundamental imbalance in the chemicals in your brain?
And kids are so stupid they just listen to everything they're told?
It's always been "cool" to be a total jerk and prick. The only difference is the definitions of what those are have changed.
Here, have some more lyrics. I listen to these songs, by the way.
Megadeth has sold millions of albums. How many people do you know that do any of the things in that song? Because I don't, and that song is actually fairly tame compared to some other bands.

I played drums to megadeath when I was in third grade. I didn't know what they were saying. I think that reading lyrics and hearing them in a song are two different things. When you read, your brain is in a different state of mind where you are focused and can rationalize what you read. When you are listening to music, it is much more passive, bypassing your focused critique.

Never the less, I think what is happening now days is different because of the level of sophistication. Producers have learned to press our subconscious buttons. They have learned to set trends in sophisticated ways extorting our weaknesses to make their money.
 
  • #53
It was about 1976, my new wife and I were heading over to campus to watch the soft core movie, Emmanuelle. To our surprise, and disappointment. the movie at been canceled due to its sexually explicit nature. In its place was the Clint Eastwood classic, Dirty Harry. So while it is fine to watch murder and mayhem it is not ok to watch love making. What is wrong with this picture?
 
  • #54
WarPhalange said:
Wait, are you actually saying that music causes Bipolar Disorder? That music gives you a fundamental imbalance in the chemicals in your brain?

Yes music affects your chemicals, everything does, everything you see, hear, touch, smell, etc, causes a chemical reaction in the brain. And yes an unhealthy balance of contradictory attitudes does lead to an imbalance.

But I think a misconception is that our brains primarily operate on chemicals, our brain activity is the result of neurons firing(electrical charge). Chemicals only have effects on how they fire. More is to do with how our circuits develop determining what happens when they fire.

Diagnosis of bipolar disorder

"Diagnosis is based on the self-reported experiences of an individual as well as abnormalities in behavior reported by family members, friends or co-workers, followed by secondary signs observed by a psychiatrist, nurse, social worker, clinical psychologist or other clinician in a clinical assessment."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder#Diagnosis
 
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  • #55
Integral said:
It was about 1976, my new wife and I were heading over to campus to watch the soft core movie, Emmanuelle. To our surprise, and disappointment. the movie at been canceled due to its sexually explicit nature. In its place was the Clint Eastwood classic, Dirty Harry. So while it is fine to watch murder and mayhem it is not ok to watch love making. What is wrong with this picture?

If it would have been High Plains Drifter, you would have gotten a little bit of each.
 
  • #56
jreelawg said:
I played drums to megadeath when I was in third grade. I didn't know what they were saying. I think that reading lyrics and hearing them in a song are two different things. When you read, your brain is in a different state of mind where you are focused and can rationalize what you read. When you are listening to music, it is much more passive, bypassing your focused critique.

Never the less, I think what is happening now days is different because of the level of sophistication. Producers have learned to press our subconscious buttons. They have learned to set trends in sophisticated ways extorting our weaknesses to make their money.

Oh I see, because you were doing it, then it's okay and there is some very vague excuse for it. But today, today! things are different! Things are worse, because you can somehow understand the lyrics when they rap really fast?

Besides, CD's come with liner notes that have the lyrics on them. Yeah, Megadeth was before that, but it doesn't matter because today's bands have similar lyrics and their CD's come with liner notes.

jreelawg said:
Yes music affects your chemicals, everything does, everything you see, hear, touch, smell, etc, causes a chemical reaction in the brain. And yes an unhealthy balance of contradictory attitudes does lead to an imbalance.

You have no idea what Bipolar Disorder is, do you?
 
  • #57
Integral said:
It was about 1976, my new wife and I were heading over to campus to watch the soft core movie, Emmanuelle. To our surprise, and disappointment. the movie at been canceled due to its sexually explicit nature. In its place was the Clint Eastwood classic, Dirty Harry. So while it is fine to watch murder and mayhem it is not ok to watch love making. What is wrong with this picture?

You may have lucked out because I saw that movie on HBO, and it is totally lame.
 
  • #58
Blind Lemon Jefferson:



Blind Lemon Jefferson said:
I ain't got no mama now
I ain't got no mama now
She told me late last night, "You don't need no mama no how"

Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room
Mmm, mmm, black snake crawlin' in my room
Some pretty mama better come and get this black snake soon

Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, baby a chinch can't bite that hard
Ohh-oh, that must have been a bed bug, honey a chinch can't bite that hard
Ask my sugar for fifty cents, she said "Lemon, ain't a child in the yard"

Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you
Mama, that's all right, mama that's all right for you
Mama, that's all right, most seen all you do

Mmm, mmm, what's the matter now?
Mmm, mmm, honey what's the matter now?
Sugar, what's the matter, don't like no black snake no how

Mmm, mmm, wonder where my black snake gone?
Mmm, mmm, wonder where this black snake gone?
Black snake mama done run my darlin' home

I presume you can figure out what "black snake" he is talking about.
 
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  • #59
WarPhalange said:
Oh I see, because you were doing it, then it's okay and there is some very vague excuse for it. But today, today! things are different! Things are worse, because you can somehow understand the lyrics when they rap really fast?

Besides, CD's come with liner notes that have the lyrics on them. Yeah, Megadeth was before that, but it doesn't matter because today's bands have similar lyrics and their CD's come with liner notes.



You have no idea what Bipolar Disorder is, do you?

No one knows what bipolar disorder is, it just means you have mood swings. And I never said you were guilty. It is the peddler who are guilty. Blame the drug dealer not the junky.
 
  • #60
WarPhalange said:
I presume you can figure out what "black snake" he is talking about.

You lost me, could you explain what you are trying to convey?
 

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