Raising kids these days...

sweet angel · #1 11-11-2001, 05:07 PM

HELLO!!!

I was kicking it with my little niece the other day and the tv was on...nobody's really paying attention to it...until people on the show started cursing. Even on the radio, words that used to be censored were coming out of my speakers! I don't know if I'm the only one offended by this, but I make it a habit to never use vulgar language in front of the young ones, however the broadcasting people see fit to expose the young ones to this stuff every day. There are many cartoons that hint around to sexual things, and people in general seem to be getting more lax in their values. What do you all think about this? How do parents deal with this, and would/do your parents say about this issue?

Do kids grow up too fast these days?

Espionage1920 · #2 11-11-2001, 05:42 PM

I'm a teacher and the fact that the children are exposed to negative/vulgar/explicit things is oh too evident. Rather than teaching the "3 R's", all of the time, I find myself having to correct or re-direct those things that they were taught elsewhere. Things such as knowing how to "roll a blunt", speaking and WRITING about oral sex, and to say the least cursing. (I see this in the second grade ) I'm finding that many children are mirror images of what they see and hear at home. That is why we must lead by example. A good example that is!

Espionage1920 · #3 11-11-2001, 05:43 PM

Where are the values????

SoTrue1920 · #4 11-12-2001, 10:25 AM

You know what? I used to think like the rest of you too, that media outlets had a responsibility to temper the language, etc. that you see on television.

Then I moved to Canada where the F word can be used as an expletive (but not to describe an act, interestingly enough) male/female frontal nudity is common, and you routinely hear swear words on Canadian television... yet Canada doesn't seem to have the problems with its young people that we have in America.

Also, as an adult (and a child-free one) I kind of resent the implication that "the media" should be dumbed down in order to make it more 'acceptable' for children. Use discretion, use the off switch, and better yet, use the opportunity to discuss with your child (or young relative, as the case may be) why the language/acts you heard were unacceptable to you.

DOVE1920 · #5 11-12-2001, 12:38 PM

Since the birth of my neice, she's now 3, I have realized just how quickly children pick things up. Now she has turned into the "bad word" police. Everytime I slip up she says"Oooh, you said a bad word" and shakes her finger at me.

I think in some instances the media plays a role but the family should play an even bigger role. I also understand that isn't very realistic for all families. I often hear people refer to the "old days" when if a child did something wrong anyone in the community could discipline the child...Is that even an option now?

blueberi1920 · #6 11-12-2001, 12:41 PM

I think kids do grow up too fast, it's not fair to them. I know that I didn't know what violence/sex/drugs were until I was probably 11 or 12. But I attribute that to my mother not letting me watch TV or movies more than 1 hour a week, instead she bought us books.
Blame the parents:
I went to the movies on Friday at 10pm, I was surprised to see the theater full of kids. I mean why does a 4yr old need to be out that late, and why do they need to be seeing movies rated R. I think some parents don't do enough to protect their children from society's ills.

I don't know why all of a sudden some words are being said on TV or radio, but can we really rely on some regulatory agency to say what is appropriate for our children? We need to become our own censory board.

sweet angel · #7 11-13-2001, 01:39 AM

I agree with you all to a certian extent... the family has a major part in the actions of a child. They are who the child is around most or all of the day until they start going to school on a regular basis. I really feel sorry for the kids whose parents aren't there for them to teach them the basics and those are the kids who more than likely sit in front of the t.v. all day or hang out all night and pick up all of this negativity. Speaking from experience, kids who are in this situation have a hard core "I don't care" attitude about them, because they felt nobody really cared about them. I think that is another reason they grow up too fast. Athough it is the parent's job to train their kids...not to make excuses for the parents, or anything, but there are too many unwanted kids in this world, and you'd be suprised to see how some people treat their kids just because they got an unexpected blessing... I do know one thing...teachers have their hands full!

Espionage1920 · #8 11-13-2001, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sweet angel
I agree with you all to a certian extent... the family has a major part in the actions of a child. They are who the child is around most or all of the day until they start going to school on a regular basis. I really feel sorry for the kids whose parents aren't there for them to teach them the basics and those are the kids who more than likely sit in front of the t.v. all day or hang out all night and pick up all of this negativity. Speaking from experience, kids who are in this situation have a hard core "I don't care" attitude about them, because they felt nobody really cared about them. I think that is another reason they grow up too fast. Athough it is the parent's job to train their kids...not to make excuses for the parents, or anything, but there are too many unwanted kids in this world, and you'd be suprised to see how some people treat their kids just because they got an unexpected blessing... I do know one thing...teachers have their hands full!

You are so right! As I said before, I am a teacher. My "babies" keep me on my toes every second. For those of them that do not have a positive role model at home, I must be there to provide something positive for them on a daily basis.