One year anniversary edition!!!

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s

Today’s Youth Culture E-Update

Edition #25: November 15, 2002

 

 

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Contents:

I.  Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Mainstream Marijuana

2) Teen Alcohol Consumption by Race

3) Family Hour R-rated Movie Marketing

4) “What Would Jesus Drive?”

5) Teen Driver Passenger Restrictions

6) Video Games and Youth

7) Emulating “Jackass”

8) Teen Drug Use and Adult Depression

9) Top Teen Web-Sites in September

10) Online Music Sales Plummet

11) Raising Children in Today’s America

II.  CPYU Resources

III.  Pop Culture Quotes: Scott Stapp, Tom Petty, Mary J. Blige, Christina Aguilera, etc.

IV.  Lyrical Expressions: Christina Aguilera and 3 Doors Down

V.  Current Culture Image

VI.  Culture Links:

VII.  “VCR/DVR Alert”: The Osbournes

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

IX.  E-update & CPYU information

 

Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

 

) Mainstream Marijuana

The November 4, 2002 edition of Time magazine has a cover story article about the legal, political, medical, ethical and moral cloud surrounding marijuana.

                http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101021104/story.html

 

) Teen Alcohol Consumption by Race

The November 5, 2002 Tuesday Gallup Briefing, using aggregated date from three separate surveys conducted between October 1999 and May 2001 on 1,503 13-17 year old teens, reveals alcohol consumption rates for white, black and Hispanic teens at 25%, 8% and 19%, respectively.

                http://www.gallup.com/poll/tb/religValue/20021105.asp  (fee to access)

                See also: Two drinks cloud judgment

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=sciencenews&StoryID=1698160

                See also: Teen pressure and drinking link

                http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/abstract.asp?ref=0009-3920&vid=73&iid=5&aid=492  (free abstract)

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_package.html?FRONTID=SCIENCE&PACKAGEID=alcohol&STORYID=APIS7N95RF00&SLUG=TEEN%2dDRINKING 

 

) Family Hour R-rated Movie Marketing

The Parents Television Council reports that 23% of the 3,603 ads for movies aired during the Family Hour were for R-rated movies. UPN led the list with 33%, followed by NBC with 26%, FOX with 24%, CBS with 22%, ABC with 15%, WB with 14%, and PAX with 4%.

                http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2002/pr110602.asp

 

) “What Would Jesus Drive?”

The Evangelical Environmental Network created the “What Would Jesus Drive?” campaign to inform people that transportation choices are moral choices.

                http://www.whatwouldjesusdrive.org

                http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_story.html?FRONTID=BUSINESS&STORYID=APIS7N903TG0

                See also: Corporate sponsored worship article

                http://www.usatoday.com/life/music/news/2002-11-04-christian-chevy-tour-side_x.htm

See also: The December 2002 edition of Seventeen magazine contains a 6-page (pp. 156-161) article about Christian rock music, concerts and festivals.

 

) Teen Driver Passenger Restrictions

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends that states keep young drivers with a provisional license from carrying more than one passenger under the age of 20, unless accompanied by a supervising adult driver who is at least 21 years of age or until they receive an unrestricted license.

                http://www.ntsb.gov/Pressrel/2002/021106.htm

 

) Video Games and Youth

The Kaiser Family Foundation released a summary report about the prevalence and influence of video games on today’s children and adolescents.

                http://www.kff.org/content/2002/3271/Video_Game_Key_Facts.pdf  (4 page pdf file report)

                See also: Top 40 video game sales chart, featuring the record breaking “Grand Theft Auto: Vice City”.

                http://www.gamesasylum.com/articles/showarticle.php?id=807

 

) Emulating “Jackass”

Several stunts from the hit movie “Jackass” are being imitated in real life.

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=entertainmentnews&StoryID=1717218

See also: The Parent Television Council is warning parents not to let their children see the “Jackass” movie for fear of inciting copy-cat incidents.

                http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/release/2002/pr103102.asp

 

) Teen Drug Use and Adult Depression

The Archives of General Psychiatry reports an association between early drug use and later psychiatric disorders, from a 14 year study of 736 New York residents.

                http://archpsyc.ama-assn.org/issues/current/abs/yoa10037.html  (free abstract)

See also: Depression higher for teen girls

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=healthnews&StoryID=1699309

 

) Top Teen Web-Sites in September

Nielsen//NetRatings reports the top 10 global Internet properties from September 2002 for 12-17 year old teens.

 

Unique Audience

Yahoo!

14,764,854

MSN

12,741,576

AOL Time Warner

9,836,472

Microsoft

9,836,472

Google

7,617,103

Lycos Network

7,220,215

About-Primedia

4,475,824

Amazon

3,793,629

Sharman Networks (Kazaa)

3,793,629

eBay

3,281,394

                http://www.nielsen-netratings.com/pr/pr_021112_global.pdf  (3 page pdf file report)

 

) Online Music Sales Plummet

According to comScore Media Metrix, online music sales fell 25% to $545 million for the first nine months of 2002 as compared to $730 million for the same time period in 2001. Since the demise of Napster, file-sharing services Kazaa and Morpheus have increased their average monthly user base, from less than 1 million in the second quarter of 2001 to 7.3 and 3.8 million, respectively, in the second quarter of 2002. Kazaa had 9.4 million monthly users in the third quarter of 2002.

                http://www.comscore.com/news/online_music_sales110402.htm

 

) Raising Children in Today’s America

Public Agenda released a report on raising children titled, “A lot easier said than done”. The report elaborates on six findings: 1) Protecting children from the world outside, 2) Television: a worrisome old friend, 3) Trying to create a responsible adult, 4) The complex equation of parenting, 5) Dating, driving and decisions: the teen years, and 6) Depending on the circumstances: the views of low-income parents and single parents.

http://www.publicagenda.org/specials/parents/parents.htm  (registration required to access the free 54 page pdf file report until November 27)

See also: Stressed out parents poll

                http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr021108.asp

                See also: “Puffing parents send mixed messages” article

                http://reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=healthnews&StoryID=1678197

 

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

“No. Absolutely not. Parents have a responsibility to make decision about what they want their children to hear. You get only one shot at being a parent, and you have to do what you think is right. Nothing against Eminem on a personal level or against the way he expresses himself, but I wouldn't want my son listening to him.”

-Creed's Scott Stapp when asked, "If your son, Jagger, wanted to buy Eminem's new CD, The Eminem Show, would you let him?" Blender, October 2002 p. 56

 

“I don’t believe in censorship, but I do believe that an artist has to take some moral responsibility for what he or she is putting out there. And I think a lot of these young kids are going to have to learn the hard way before they realize that you can actually do some damage if you’re being careless or frivolous in what you’re saying.”

                -Tom Petty, Rolling Stone, November 14, 2002, p. 34.

 

“When people tell me that I saved their lives, that's a compliment, because what they don't know is that I'm trying to save my own life. I'm crying out for help, and I'm saving somebody else.”

-Mary J. Blige in response to the question, "What's the biggest compliment a fan could give you?" Rolling Stone, October 31, 2002, p. 62

 

“If I was having a bad day, or if something was really getting me down—boy troubles, whatever—I wanted to go out and get a new piercing. It was definitely a release for me. Something that made me feel a little more strong or empowered. Because it was something that had to do with me and no one else.”

                - Christina Aguilera, Rolling Stone, November 14, 2002, p. 55.

 

“I do think kids should express themselves. If Kelly wants another tattoo where nobody can see it, fine. But if she came in with something on her chest I would have to have it removed. As a mother, your kids are young and beautiful, and then you see that baby smoking and drinking, with tattoos and piercings . . . It breaks my heart.”

                - Sharon Osbourne, Teen People, November 2002, p. 104.

 

“My mom tried to get me to go to counseling when I was young. I had bed-wetting problems until I was 16. I was really just this whacked-out kid. I’m the kind of person who bottles it up, and I couldn’t open up to someone just because he was a guy in a suit who gets paid for it. My music has been my way of being able to open up to someone without talking to them . . .”

                - Papa Roach singer Jacoby Shaddix, Spin, December 2002, p. 84.

 

“Because my God is a God of love, and forgiveness, and understanding—and I only answer to Him. I mean, there’s a New Testament, and Jesus died not just for you but for all of us. How can you judge the speck in my eye when you’ve got a tree growing out of yours?”

- Former NFL football player Esera Tuaolo, who wrote a “coming-out” article on pages 72-77 in the November 11, 2002 issue of ESPN magazine, reflecting back on a Bible study where teammates “spent the whole time ripping homosexuality”.

 

“The being that created girls—God, Allah or whoever—is worthy of a handshake.”

                - Coldplay’s singer Chris Martin, Teen People, November 2002, p. 74.

 

“My dad’s been a Scientologist for thirty-five years . . . My grandfather was a Presbyterian minister, and my mother raised us Jewish, so I’ve had lots of influences. But whatever.”

                - Singer/songwriter Beck, Spin, November 2002, p. 80.

 

“God wrote it, I just held the pencil”

-Country singer Alan Jackson speaking about his post September 11 song Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) from USA Weekend, November 3, 2002.

                http://usaweekend.com/02_issues/021103/021103alan_jackson.html

 

Lyrical Expression

 

Once upon a time there was a girl, In her early years she had to learn
How to grow up living in a war that she called home, Never know just where to turn for shelter from the storm
Hurt me to see the pain across my mother's face, Every time my father's fist would put her in her place
Hearing all the yelling I would cry up in my room, Hoping it would be over soon
(Chorus) Bruises fade father, but the pain remains the same, And I still remember how you kept me so afraid
Strength is my mother for all the love she gave, Every morning that I wake I look back to yesterday, And I'm OK

I often wonder why I carry all this guilt, When it's you that helped me put up all these walls I've built
Shadows stir at night through a crack in the door, The echo of a broken child screaming "please no more"
Daddy, don't you understand the damage you have done, To you it's just a memory, but for me it still lives on

                - I’m Okay by Christina Aguilera from her Stripped album.

                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/christinaaguilera/imok.html

 

She says I got something to say, she knows what she says will change everything

She’s laid through so many sleepless nights, she’s cryin’, she’s cryin’, she’s cryin;

Mother, that man took my soul away,

Father, how could you ever treat me this way

Brother, I won’t ever let him do this again, this time it’s over, I’m gonna make it end

Now it’s over, the old man is dead, lyin’ on the ground, bullet in his head

She stood at the foot of the guilty bed last night, she held what could set her free for the rest of her life

She did all that she said that she planned to do, she’s through, she’s through, she’s through.

                - Sarah Yellin’ by 3 Doors Down from the Away from the Sun album

  

Current Culture Image

This Reebok Classic ad appeared in the Holiday 2002 issue of Elle Girl on page 47 and the April 2002 edition of Seventeen on page 71. The ad shows a girl sitting on a desk in her room contemplating which pair of sneakers to choose from the many styles strewn on the floor. The tag line reads, “Tough Choice Classic”. With the beginning of the holiday shopping season, this ad could be used to fuel a discussion on materialism.

 

 

Culture Links

http://www.childhelpusa.org/

“Childhelp USA® is one of the largest and oldest national non-profits dedicated to the treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect.”

 

http://www.wordspy.com/topwords.asp

This site provides lists, definitions and rankings about popular words in culture.

 

http://www.urban.org/

“The Urban Institute is a nonprofit nonpartisan policy research and educational organization established to examine the social, economic, and governance problems facing the nation.”

 

“VCR/DVR Alert”

The second season of MTV’s hit show, the Osbournes, is scheduled to commence on Tuesday November 26, 2002 at 10:30pm EST. Check local listings.

                http://www.mtv.com/onair/osbournes/

 

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

If you're going to be at the Youth Specialties National Youthworkers' Convention in NASHVILLE next week (November 21-25), be sure to plug in to Walt Mueller's seminars. Walt will be presenting a "Mars Hill Ministry - Using Culture To Impact Culture" super-seminar on Saturday afternoon at 2pm. Walt will also be speaking on "How Today's Music and Media Impact Your Students" at 8am on Sunday morning. And, for you late-nite folks who are looking to chat about culture, Walt will be leading a "Let's Talk About Youth Culture" discussion option on Saturday night at 10:15pm. We hope to see you in Nashville.

 

“Numerous studies have shown a relationship between the family environment and the use of drugs and alcohol among adolescents. But anyone who has ever spent any significant amount of time with kids doesn’t need scientific studies to prove the link. Kids who come from homes where there is divorce, separation, an absent parent, discord, marital conflict, unreasonable pressure/expectations, poor communication, abuse, or alcoholism are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol. Conversely, kids who come from homes characterized by love, nurturing, affection, involvement, and marital harmony are less likely to abuse drugs and alcohol.”

- From Walt Mueller’s award winning book Understanding Today’s Youth Culture, p. 319.

 

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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.

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