Dirty Lyrics Lead to More than Dirty Dancing

Teens who listen to music with explicit “dirty” lyrics are likely to become sexually active sooner than those who listen to music with less sexual lyrics. In fact, with lyrical depictions of males as sexually aggressive and females as sex objects, teen listeners are almost twice as likely to become sexually active within two years of frequent listening.

Perhaps because of the major impact of media influences on teens as they mature, it is thought that the lyrics cause them to perceive men as “studs” and women as “hos” and to believe these are common and accepted viewpoints.

There is some dispute among researchers as to whether song lyrics can be viewed as an isolated element that “triggers” sexual activity. However, they agree there are factors that can counter lyrics’ effects. Yvonne K. Fulbright is a sex researcher and author who says, “A healthy home atmosphere allows a child to investigate what pop culture has to offer and at the same time say, ‘I know this is a fun song but … it’s not right to treat women this way or… to have this [person] as a role model.’”

Sex, Drugs and Online Chats

No matter how much they deny it, one out of every 10 teen online messages with each other are about sex and drugs. Specifically, the messages discuss where and how to obtain drugs and alcohol and where to meet for parties. Many of their exchanges are also about advice on how to get high “safely” without parents or other authorities finding out.

Not surprisingly, much of the terminology they use is code to avoid getting caught if adults read what they have written. Although the slang may have changed by the time you read this, candy flipping refers to using ecstasy; 420, 51 and A-Bomb are all online names for marijuana; crunked is code for being drunk; scag is heroin; and pre-game is getting drunk before going to a party.

Video Gaming Becoming an Addiction?

A significant number of kids who play video games may be addicted. “Pathological gaming” is very different than casual entertainment. It is characterized by behavior that interferes with several areas of a child’s life, such as social, school or psychological functioning – the same criteria used to assess pathological gambling.

Symptoms of pathological gamers can include spending increasing amounts of time thinking or learning about videogame playing, needing to spend more and more time or money on playing to feel the same level of excitement, using videogames to avoid problems or bad feelings, lying to family friends about time spent playing, skipping homework to play or becoming irritable and restless when trying to stop or to reduce the amount of time spent playing. Kids who are addicted may do worse in school, be more physically aggressive and are also at risk for being overweight, developing carpal tunnel syndrome, back and neck aches and headaches.

As it becomes more prevalent, some members of the American Medical Association already believe that “Internet/video game addiction” should be added as a formal diagnosis to the guidelines used by physicians and psychologists.

Most Teens Live in a Financial Fairytale

No matter how much money their parents make, most teens believe they will be earning well into the six-figure range when they become adults. This misconception might be understandable if they were planning on being sports or entertainment stars, but the most popular career choices are medicine (ranging from physicians to nurses and medical technicians), technology (programming, network operations and computer repair) and teaching.

Some of these occupations could certainly produce kids’ expected incomes, but the actual median earnings in 2005 (the most recent year U.S. Census Bureau statistics are available) was $41,386 for men and $31,858 for women. Less than five percent of the population earns more than $100,000.

There are several steps parents can take to help their children develop realistic perspectives about work, money and “getting more stuff”: 1) Give them hands-on experience with allowances and saving for things they want; 2) talk with them about future careers and what they can reasonably expect to earn (don’t forget explaining about taxes); and 3) set a good example by being financially responsible and teaching that money is not the key to happiness.

The Internet Generation:
Find out how to keep your child safe online!

Today’s kids have grown up online. Finding their way around the Internet and posting on social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook are all part of their everyday lives. But in this online world … What are they saying? Who are they “talking” to? How can we keep kids away from danger – both emotional and physical? With The Internet Generation, you’ll learn the latest facts and advice to help keep your teen safe.

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