The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s

Today’s Youth Culture E-Update

Edition #23: October 15, 2002

Contents:

I.  Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Teen Depression

2) Suicide Worldwide

3) Mainstream Christian Rock

4) Anti-Piracy Campaign

5) World’s Funniest Joke?

6) Dissection Objection

7) Teen Girl Smoking and Breast Cancer

8) Growing Abstinence Movement

9) Falling Teen Abortion Rate

10) Overweight Teens

11) Perception and Reality: Gays in the U.S.

12) American Theological Beliefs

13) Wireless Teens

II.  CPYU Resources

III.  Pop Culture Quotes: Madonna, Tom Cruise, Beenie Man, Snoop Dogg, LeAnn Rimes, etc.

IV.  Lyrical Expressions: Good Charlotte and Tom Petty

V.  Current Culture Image

VI.  Culture Links:

VII.  Walt Mueller’s “CQ” (Commentary/Quote)

VIII.  E-update & CPYU information

Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Teen Depression

The October 7, 2002 issue of Newsweek features a cover story article on Teen Depression.

                http://www.msnbc.com/news/813570.asp  

                See also: Youth psychiatric ER visits for 1993-1999

                http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/reprint/110/4/e40.pdf  (full 5-page pdf file report)

2) Suicide Worldwide

The World Health Organization reports that over half of the 1.6 million violent deaths worldwide in 2000 were suicides (815,000).

                http://www.who.int/mediacentre/releases/pr73/en/

                http://www5.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/main.cfm?s=0009

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_package.html?FRONTID=SCIENCE&PACKAGEID=suicide&STORYID=APIS7ME0S9O1&SLUG=MURDER%2dSUICIDE%2dSTUDY

                See also: Online Suicide Intervention

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=healthnews&StoryID=1535458

                See also: Suicide and family history

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=healthnews&StoryID=1565608

3) Mainstream Christian Rock

USAToday reports on the growing trend of Christian artists “flying under the religious radar” and avoiding the Christian tag/label.

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20021007/4512009s.htm

See also: In a soon to be released poll by British music magazine “Q”, U2’s Bono (Paul Hewson) is named the most powerful man in music. Other notables: Eminem was third and the late Kurt Cobain was fifth.

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=entertainmentnews&StoryID=1529947

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_package.html?FRONTID=ARTS&PACKAGEID=celebmusic&STORYID=APIS7MEND9G0&SLUG=BRITAIN%2dPEOPLE%2dBONO

4) Anti-Piracy Campaign

The Music United for Strong Internet Copyright (MUSIC) Coalition has engaged high profile artists (Britney Spears, Nelly, Missy Elliott, etc) in putting together an ad campaign to combat Internet music piracy.

                http://www.musicunited.org/3_artists.html  (read the artists’ opinions)

See also: Worldwide music sales fell 9.2% in the first half of 2002, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.

                http://www.ifpi.org/site-content/press/20021010.html

5) World’s Funniest Joke?

The British Association for the Advancement of Science reports the funniest joke in the world after 40,000 jokes were submitted and rated by Internet users in 70 countries.

“Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other man pulls out his phone and calls emergency services. He gasps to the operator: "My friend is dead! What can I do?" The operator in a calm, soothing voice replies: “Take it easy. I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead.” There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the hunter says, "Ok, now what?"

                http://www.laughlab.co.uk/

6) Dissection Objection

As reported by the Associated Press, high school students are increasingly opting out of performing dissections on the estimated 6 million frogs, fetal pigs and cats, and asking for computerized simulations as a substitute.

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_story.html?FRONTID=SCIENCE&STORYID=APIS7MDG9JO0

7) Teen Girl Smoking and Breast Cancer

Researchers, as reported by Reuters, discovered that women who started smoking within five years of the start of their menstrual cycle were 70% more likely to develop breast cancer.

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=healthnews&StoryID=1535441

                See also: Cigarette access restrictions are prompting middle school aged smokers to beg, borrow and steal.

                http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5140a2.htm

                See also: Urine tests in schools to detect smokers

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_package.html?FRONTID=SCIENCE&PACKAGEID=smoking&STORYID=APIS7MGVONO0&SLUG=TOBACCO%2dTESTING

8) Growing Abstinence Movement

The October 7, 2002 issue of Time magazine, pp. 64-65, includes an article about the growing abstinence movement. The results of an online survey of 1,061 13-18 year old teens conducted by TIME/MTV on September 10-12, 2002, reveal that 56% of teens want to abstain from sex until they marry. 37% think virginity pledges are effective to prevent teens from having sex until marriage.

                http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,356035,00.html

                See also: “Miss America Censored on Abstinence Message”

                http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-09-2002/0001815636&EDATE=

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_package.html?FRONTID=NATIONAL&PACKAGEID=missamerica&STORYID=APIS7MJBAFO0&SLUG=MISS%2dAMERICA

9) Falling Teen Abortion Rate

According to the Alan Guttmacher Institute, the teen abortion rate for 15-19 year old girls dropped 27% to 25 abortions per 1,000 women from 34 in 1994 (41% drop from the abortion rate of 42 per 1,000 women in 1987). Other key findings:

• 19% of women who had an abortion in 2000-2001 were adolescents.
• 34% of teen pregnancies end in abortion
• 30.7% of single women were cohabiting in 2000 compared to 20.5% in 1994.

                http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs/journals/3422602.pdf  (10 page pdf file)

10) Overweight Teens

In a survey of 4,722 youth under 19 years old, researchers found 15.5% of 12-19 year olds, 15.3% of 6-11 year olds, and 10.4% of 2-5 year olds were overweight in 1999-2000 as compared to 10.5%, 11.3%, and 7.2%, respectively, from 1988-1994.

                http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v288n14/abs/joc21462.html  (free abstract, fee for article)

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20021009/4518773s.htm

                See also: A Terra Lyco’s Angelfire poll of 13-18 teens, as reported by PRNewswire, reveals that 63% of teens say obesity is a bigger problem than anorexia/bulimia.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-09-2002/0001815081&EDATE=

11) Perception and Reality: Gays in the U.S.

The October 8, 2002 Gallup Tuesday Briefing reports, based on the results of two separate interviews conducted in August 2002 with 489 and 518 US adults (lesbian women and gay men estimates, respectively), that the estimated population of gays and lesbians in the U.S. is over 20% (respondents said 21% of men are gay and 22% of women are lesbian), even though other estimates from the U.S. Census, Family Research Report and National Gay and Lesbian Task Force range between 1% and 10%,

                http://www.gallup.com/poll/tb/religvalue/20021008b.asp  (fee to access)

                See also: “Over 3 million children currently live with gay parents”

                http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/10-07-2002/0001813691&EDATE=

                See also: “Is SpongeBob gay?” article.

                http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,363124~3~6~isspongebobgay,00.html

12) American Theological Beliefs

The Barna Research Group interviewed 630 American adults in August 2002 about their beliefs on many topics. Some of the findings:

• 27% said the Bible does not specifically condemn homosexuality
• 42% said Jesus Christ sinned like everybody else when He lived on earth
• 44% said the Bible, the Koran, and the Book of Mormon are all different expressions of the same spiritual truths
• 35% believe it is possible to communicate with others after they die

                http://www.barna.org/cgi-bin/PagePressRelease.asp?PressReleaseID=122&Reference=A

                See also: USAWeekend article about John Edward, host of the popular “Crossing Over” TV show.

                http://usaweekend.com/02_issues/021013/021013john_edward.html

13) Wireless Teens

According to the Yankee Group, as reported by NPDTechworld, wireless phones are increasingly becoming a back-to-school necessity as 34% of teens currently own a wireless phone. The percentage of wireless phone teens is expected to rise to 75% by 2006.

                http://www.npdtechworld.com/techServlet?nextpage=news_article.html&nwsid=1833

                See also: Outdated school cell phone bans

                http://www.npdtechworld.com/techServlet?nextpage=news_article.html&nwsid=1825

                See also: 35% of young adults (ages 18-24) use more than 500 cell phone minutes per month.

                http://www.wirelessnewsfactor.com/perl/story/19082.html

CPYU Resources:

NEW MUSIC RESOURCE from CPYU’s Walt Mueller: A colorful 12 page resource titled, “How to use your HEAD to guard your HEART: a 3-D Guide to making responsible music choices”. Prices, including shipping and handling, are $3 each for 1-5 copies and $2 each for 6+ copies. To order, contact CPYU at 717-361-8429 (voice), 717-361-8964 (fax), or e-mail cpyuinfo@cpyu.org

Newsletter:  “youthculture@today” is the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s quarterly 24-page newsletter that’s full of up-to-date information and in-depth analysis on today’s youth culture. Order now and we’ll send you a copy of our Fall 2002 newsletter featuring the Osbournes and much more. Available for a donation of $15 a year, you can sign up by either calling CPYU on the phone (717-361-8429), or by using the downloadable order form found on our website at http://www.cpyu.org/ycorder.htm and faxing it to CPYU at 717-361-8964.

Website: Check out the CPYU website (www.cpyu.org), which is loaded with all kinds of current information and analysis on today’s youth culture. You’ll find a searchable database of back issues of “youthculture @ today” an extensive bibliography, culture facts, a youth culture bulletin board, links to dozens of valuable youth culture oriented websites, a listing of CPYU resources, and much more. The site is constantly changing so be sure to visit often. A searchable “e-Update” archive is available at http://www.cpyu.org/bboard.htm

On-Line Discussion Group: Sign up for our youth culture e-mail discussion group (www.cpyu.org/bboard.htm). With one e-mail, you will be able to share questions, comments, and answers with youthworkers, parents and educators from around the world.

Speakers: CPYU Speakers are available to speak at your church, school or organization.  Our "Understanding Today's Youth Culture" seminars are presentations designed for parents, youth workers, teachers and others dealing with the specific challenges associated with understanding the world of pre-teens and adolescents.  To book a CPYU seminar, contact CPYU at 717-361-8429 or check out the seminar page on the CPYU website http://www.cpyu.org/seminars.htm

Pop Culture Quotes

“There is only one thing that lasts and that's your soul and if you don't pay attention to that, all the money in the world is not going to help you.”

                - Madonna as quoted by Reuters October 9, 2002.

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=entertainmentnews&StoryID=1556908

“The only thing that really made me nervous about raising kids was having a privileged kid who wasn't interested in anything.”

                - Actress Susan Sarandon as quoted by Associated Press, September 27, 2002

“I must’ve quit smoking 80,000 times now. That's the most addictive s___ that I've ever put in my body.”

- Ozzy Osbourne, Rolling Stone daily, October 3, 2002.

“My kids, I really don’t like them to watch that much television . . . I can actually see the difference when they watch too much television in terms of their education when their (sic) reading, in terms of their attention span, their behavior . . . My kids are allowed to watch TV one hour a day—if their homework is done.”

                - Actor Tom Cruise as quoted by Reuters, September 26, 2002.

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=entertainmentnews&StoryID=1501327

“I got my heart broken, and I don't intend to get it broken again, so I'm married to music at this time, music is my life and my wife. There's one woman who used to have my head, but that's used to. Long time ago. ... I can't be giving you my heart.”

                - Dancehall superstar Beenie Man (Anthony Moses Davis) responding to a question about why he hasn’t settled down, despite having five children, as quoted by Associated Press, October 2, 2002.

“I been smoking weed and drinking every day of my life for the past 10 years, and I just wanted to get high off of life and take a new direction and see what it sounds like and what it looks like from that point of view.” . . .

“I'm also coaching my son's football team, and being around kids five days a week. I wanted to be inspirational to the kids because they all look up to me. And I wanted to give 'em something to look up to, because it is cool to say no to drugs, and that's what I'm doing right now. I'm 30 years old, and as you get older you get wiser, and that's what it's all about.”

                - Snoop Dogg, quoted by Entertainment Weekly’s daily e-mail Monitor, October 9, 2002

                http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,362324~10~6~snoopdoggdeniescancer,00.html

                See also: Muslim group takes credit for canceling Snoop Doggs’ appearance on Muppet Christmas

                http://www.ew.com/ew/report/0,6115,356981~1~6~muslimgroupsaysit,00.html

“You ask yourself, 'Look, there are 25 different gods and all these religions across the world. Are there really 25 gods, or is there one thing that everyone is calling a different thing? Some people pray to a totem pole, and it works for them. Other people pray to the sun. Other people pray in church. And is it that each of them have a different god? Or is it one thing?' It's pretty cool.”

                - Oakland A’s pitcher Barry Zito, USA Today, October 4, 2002, C1

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20021004/4508768s.htm

“Look at TV. They would give a mass murderer a weekly show if he got ratings. What’s missing are the humans in the chain looking at the choices, saying, ‘Maybe there’s a connection between these images of teenage girls we put out and the rise in child molestation.’”

                - Tom Petty, Philadelphia Inquirer, October 6, 2002, H13.

                http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/music/4219431.htm

“It's time for people to let me grow up. I'm a grown woman, and I'm old enough to make decisions to sing those songs. I'm also a role model, and I take that into consideration. Tic Toc is the last thing parents should worry about. It's not explicit. It's empowering for a young woman to be in control of her sexuality and demand what she wants. I had to pass up such good music when I was a child, because I couldn't sing about some things. Now that I'm able to, it's very liberating.”

                - Singer LeAnn Rimes, USA Today, October 3, 2002, 12D

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20021003/4503597s.htm

                See also: Read LeAnn Rimes’ provocative Tic Toc lyrics from her Twisted Angel album

                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/leannrimes/tictoc.html

Lyrical Expression

One day I woke up, woke up knowing today is the day I will die

Cashdogg was barking went to the park and enjoyed it one last time

Called my mother told her I loved her and begged her not to cry

Wrote her a letter that said I’d miss her and signed that goodbye

You know the happiest day of my life, I swear the happiest day of my life is the day that I died

- The Day that I Die by Good Charlotte from The Young and the Hopeless album.

See also: In the album liner notes, lead singer Joel—twin brother of band member Benji—thanks, “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, My Heavenly Father for a life I never could have imagined . . .”

Lord please watch over all these lost children born to chase the hurricane,

Please shine some light down on those who wander filled with hunger and pain

Please raise the wind for all those out sailing on an ocean alone

Lord shine a light on all these lost children far away from their home

Lord keep an eye on all these lost children swept away in the wind

Please shine some light down on all those travelin’ lead them all home again

                - Lost Children by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers from The Last DJ album.

Current Culture Image

This jungle setting cartoon ad for Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit, shows a man submerged to his chin in quicksand as he reaches for a pack of Juicy Fruit, while ignoring a vine lying next to the pack of gum. The tag line reads, “Gotta Have Sweet?” The ad appeared in the August and November 2002 editions of Teen People (p. 187 and 75) and CosmoGirl (p. 74 and 54). Youth workers could use this ad for a discussion on “choices” in life, incorporating passages from John 15.

Culture Links

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/teenbrain/

“Inside the Teenage Brain” uses science, without dissection, to better understand and decipher the teen experience.

http://www.yellowribbon.org/

Web site devoted to providing information about teen suicide prevention.

http://www.dawsonmcallister.com

Christian ministry dedicated to helping American teens through radio and a free telephone HopeLine.

http://www.perspectivesonyouth.org/

Web-site created to promote the “well-being” of youth.

http://youthnoise.com/Home/

Sponsored by Save the Children, this interactive site allows youth to express themselves on relevant issues.

Walt Mueller’s “CQ” (Commentary/Quote)

“The overwhelming nature of the same stresses that cause teen depression and suicide are usually evident in the textbook cases of anorexia and bulimia. Those who suffer are typically middle-to-upper class girls who are driven to get ahead and achieve in everything that they do. Their parents are also achievement oriented and often place lofty and unfair expectations on their children. Many times the parents put up a façade of marital unity even though their marriage is on shaky ground. The mothers of anorexics and bulimics are typically demanding and perfectionistic, while fathers are busy with work and out of touch with family needs and concerns. Add to this our society’s stress on fitness, beauty, and body shape, and the combination can be deadly.”

- From Walt Mueller award winning book, Understanding Today’s Youth Culture, pp. 340-341.

<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><<><

The CPYU “Today’s Youth Culture E-Update” is a bi-weekly e-mail resource on relevant topics of interest for youthworkers, parents, and educators. The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding is a non-profit organization providing information and analysis on today’s rapidly changing youth culture. To contact us, write to Eupdate@cpyu.org or PO Box 414 Elizabethtown, PA 17022, or call 717-361-8429, or fax 717-361-8964.

“Browser Discretion Advisory”: CPYU does not necessarily endorse, support, or condone the organizations/sites for which we've provided you with links, nor does CPYU necessarily agree with the conclusions and/or recommendations of studies cited. Some are listed for informational and research purposes only as they are prevalent in youth culture today.

www.cpyu.org