The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s

Youth Culture E-Update

Edition #30: January 30, 2003

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Contents:

I. Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Sports performance pressure

2) Lucrative ring tones

3) “Biggie” sized nation

4) Chat room arrest

5) Broadband rising

6) Hot Hookas

7) “Gateway drug” marijuana

8) “Grade inflation?”

9) Abortion in the U.S.

10) Video game sales 2002

11) Super Bowl fallout

12) Single parent homes

13) “Meaning of teen-aged life”

14) “Passion” movie

II. CPYU Resources

III. Pop Culture Quotes: Mel Gibson, Christina Aguilera, Chris Carrabba, Missy Elliott, etc.

IV. Lyrical Expressions: Chevelle, Kid Rock

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) Sports Performance Pressure

This 30 second “Beating up the Parents” ad, sponsored by the Canadian Hockey Association, shows a child pressuring his dad to play better golf.

http://www.canadianhockey.ca/e/develop/parentprograms/downloads.html

2) Lucrative Ring Tones

Teens are increasingly customizing their cell phones with their favorite songs. Informa Media Group, as reported by Reuters, estimates the ring tone market to be between $700 million to $1 billion, based on the $71 million in royalties paid in 2002.

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=technologyNews&storyID=2048158

See also: Ring tone industry article

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn?pagename=article&node=&contentId=A35254-2002Dec24&notFound=true

3) “Biggie” Sized Nation

Researchers, reporting in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found increasing portion sizes and food intake between 1977 and 1996. Salty snacks increased from 1 ounce to 1.6 ounces; soft drinks increased from 13.1 to 19.9 ounces; hamburgers increased from 5.7 to 7.0 ounces; french fries increased from 3.1 to 3.6 ounces.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v289n4/abs/jbr20367.html

See also: 8.8 million obese teens

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-01-01-obese-kids_x.htm

See also: Fatty diet affects girls’ hormones

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=2050821

4) Chat Room Arrest

The Associated Press reports on an Internet chat room conversation that led to the arrest of an honor student, and church altar boy, who was boasting about a Colombine-like massacre at his high school.

http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_story.html?FRONTID=NATIONAL&STORYID=APIS7OPIRD00

5) Broadband Rising

Broadband (high speed) Internet users jumped 59% between December 2001 and December 2002 to 33.6 million users, while narrowband (dial-up) users dropped 10% to 74.4 million users. Broadband users spent 17 hours, 20 minutes online per month, compared to less than 10 hours for dial-up users. Broadband users viewed more than 1,300 pages per person, which is twice the number for dial-up users.

http://www.nielsen-netratings.com/pr/pr_030115.pdf

See also: The FTC reports Internet fraud accounted for 47% (102,517) of all fraud complaints in 2002, and cost consumers a reported $122 million dollars. 50% of the complaints came from Internet auctions.

http://www.consumer.gov/sentinel/pubs/Top10Fraud_2002.pdf (see pages 7 and 8 of 68 page pdf file)

6) Hot Hookas

Time magazine reports on the growing Hooka—Middle Eastern water pipe filled with sweetened tobacco—trend among UCLA students.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030127-409551,00.html

See also: Nicotine-reduced cigarettes reach market

http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_story.html?FRONTID=SCIENCE&STORYID=APIS7OQETC80

7) “Gateway Drug” Marijuana

In a study of 311 pairs of same-sex Australian twins, appearing in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers found evidence that marijuana is a “gateway drug”—the first stage in a progression to harder drugs. The twin who reported smoking marijuana prior to age 17 increased the odds of other drug use by 2.3 to 3.9 times, and increased the odds of alcohol dependence and other drug abuse or dependence by 1.6 to 6.0 times, as compared to the twin who did not use marijuana prior to age 17.

http://jama.ama-assn.org/issues/v289n4/rfull/joc21156.html (free full article access)

See also: Super Bowl ads, and others, about marijuana

http://www.mediacampaign.org/mg/television.html

See also: Marijuana advocacy group objects to anti-marijuana Super Bowl ads

http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=36963

See also: “Jesus ‘healed using cannabis’”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,3604,869273,00.html

See also: “Treating Teens: A Guide to Adolescent Drug Programs”

http://www.drugstrategies.org/pubs.html

8) Grade Inflation?

With reported study time down and grade averages up, researchers surmise “grade inflation” is to blame from a survey of 282,549 college freshman conducted by UCLA. A record low 33.4% of incoming freshman reported studying 6 or more hours per week during their senior year in high school, while the proportion of students studying less than one hour per week jumped to 15.9% from 8.5% over the past 15 years. A record high 45.7% of freshman, up from a low of 17.6% in 1968, reported an “A” average in high school.

http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/02_press_release.pdf (6 page pdf file press release)

http://www.gseis.ucla.edu/heri/norms_charts.pdf (see page 2 chart on “grade inflation”)

See also: Artificial Graders

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030116/4784062s.htm

9) Abortion in the U.S.

The Alan Guttmacher Institute reports that 1.31 million pregnancies ended in abortion in 2000, which is down from a high of 1.61 million in 1990. Abortion pill RU-486 (mifepristone) accounted for 6% (37,000) of all abortions in the first six months of 2001, since its FDA approval in September 2000.

http://www.agi-usa.org/pubs/archives/nr_011003.html

See also: Teens are choosing to abstain from sex

http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/5034869.htm

10) Video Game Sales 2002

According to NPD Funworld, total video game industry sales rose 10% to a new record high of $10.3 billion in 2002, up from $9.4 billion in 2001. Grand Theft Auto: Vice City and Grand Theft Auto 3 were the top 2 titles.

http://www.npdfunworld.com/funServlet?nextpage=news_article.html&nwsid=4254

11) Super Bowl Fallout

Super Bowl XXXVII, as reported by the Associated Press, had 137.65 million viewers, the 2^nd highest total ever. On average, 40.7% of homes with televisions were watching the game at any given moment.

http://wire.ap.org/APnews/main.html?FRONTID=ARTS&STORYID=APIS7OR21V00

See also: Watch some, or all, of the Super Bowl ads

http://superbowl.ifilm.com/superbowl/

See also: Memorable Super Bowl advertisements

http://www.ipsos-asi.com/website/index.php?department_id=5&sub_cat=18&subsub_cat=0&pageid=145

See also: Super Bowl wagering

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030128/4814917s.htm

See also: Highway deaths spike up after Super Bowl

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2098179

See also: Super Bowl Monday brings increased calls for help at addiction treatment center

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/01-20-2003/0001874665&EDATE=

12) Single Parent Homes

Swedish researchers conclude that children and teens growing up in a one parent family have increased risks of psychiatric disease, injury, addiction and suicide, from a study of 65,085 single-parent children (59,652 lived with the mother, while 5,433 lived with the father) and 921,257 two-parent children.

http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol361/iss9354/full/llan.361.9354.original_research.24243.1

(registration required for free full article access)

13) “Meaning of Teen-Aged Life”

The January 28, 2003 Gallup Tuesday Briefing reports the results of a “meaning of life” survey on 454, 13-17 year old teens conducted in the summer of 2001.

76% of teens picked the statement, “You always see a reason for your being here on Earth”, as compared to the 23% of teens who picked “You often wonder why you exist.” Teens who attended religious service in the last week were more likely to see a reason for being on Earth, compared to those who didn’t attend (85% and 69%, respectively).
81% of 13 to 15 year-olds and 69% of 16 to 17 year-olds said they would choose their lives the way they are
13% of teens wish they were somebody else
3% of teens wish they were never born

http://www.gallup.com/poll/tb/educayouth/20030128b.asp (fee to access)

14) “Passion” Movie

Mel Gibson is directing a movie about the life of Jesus, which is scheduled for an Easter 2004 release.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030127-409570,00.html

CPYU Resources:

NEW MUSIC RESOURCE!!! If you want to know and influence kids in today's culture, you've got to know and respond to their music. In the “More Than Noise” video, CPYU's Walt Mueller takes viewers on an informative and practical journey through the confusing maze of today's popular music. The video is broken up into 5 parts for classroom use, and includes a helpful study-guide. Copies are available for a suggested donation of $15. Order your copy with a credit card by calling CPYU at 717-361-8429.

“How to use your HEAD to guard your HEART: a 3-D Guide to making responsible music choices” is a colorful 12 page resource by CPYU’s Walt Mueller. 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 is 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 Winter 2002 newsletter featuring Good Charlotte 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

“I have a deep need to tell this story. It’s part of your upbringing, but it can seem so distant. The Gospels tell you what basically happened; I want to know what really went down . . . It’s gonna be hard to take. When the Romans scourged you, it wasn’t a nice thing. Think about the Crucifixion—there’s no way to sugarcoat that.”

- Mel Gibson speaking about his movie, The Passion, Time magazine, January 27, 2003, pp. 54-55.

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030127-409570,00.html

“He died for all mankind. He (Jesus) suffered for all of us. It's time to get back to that basic message. The world has gone nuts. We could all use a little more love, faith, hope and forgiveness.”

- Mel Gibson speaking about his upcoming film about Jesus

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=30497

“I’m not about to be ashamed for showing a little skin in a video just because society can’t embrace it . . . I’m not being timid about it either. I’m very much in control of the situation. It’s not like I’m being degraded. And I think it’s tastefully done, and it’s right for me at my age. I mean, go to any college sorority: They’re not sitting around looking at each other. They’re flirting and having fun and being 21.”

- Christina Aguilera, CosmoGirl, March 2003, p. 125.

“You should never ever talk to kids like they’re kids. You talk to them like people. Youth think they don’t know what’s going on? Adults are so jaded by the world that we think we understand it. At least kids get the fact that they don’t understand it yet.”

“So many of my fans come from similar situations, broken homes or whatever. And I think that makes us more appreciative of family, of romance, of what we do have.”

- Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, Spin, March 2003, pp. 72, 74

“My whole life has fallen together way too easily. It’s hard to believe it’s all just random . . . my never really pursuing acting and opportunities just coming to me. Maybe this is what I’m meant to do; maybe it’s fate.”

- Smallville actress Kristen Kreuk, Seventeen, March 2003, p. 178.

“Spiritually, I just feel like God was speakin’ through us doin’ (the album, Under Construction).”

- Missy Elliott, The Source, February 2003, p. 88.

(Editor’s note: read how “God” spoke from Missy’s “Under Construction” album at

http://www.azlyrics.com/m/missy.html Surfer discretion advised!!!)

“No, I think once it’s over, it’s over. I mean, I haven’t really had a chance to be convinced otherwise yet.”

- Nelly’s answering whether he believes in the afterlife, Seventeen, March 2003, p. 148.

“That’s because love overrules everything. When you look back, it’s love that remains. And when you die and close your eyes, the thing you see is love, the face of God.”

- Loretta Lynn, Parade Magazine, January 26, 2003, p. 9.

“That was the period in my life when I was the highest on music. Everyone around me was doing drugs, but I didn’t need to. Music affected me like a drug. It probably saved me from getting into them.

- Shania Twain’s response to the question, “the best thing about being 17”, Seventeen, March 2003, p. 220.

“I don’t smoke pot and (bassist) Nick (Oliveri) hasn’t since he was, like, twelve—not that I think there’s anything wrong with it. Music sounds kick-a__ when you’re stoned. You could get high and listen to Britney Spears and be like ‘Whoo!’”

- Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, Rolling Stone, February 6, 2003, p. 22.

“To be really honest about it, alcohol helped me through a lot of things. But I felt that it was time not to do it anymore. I was going to have to get through things on my own.”

- Al Pacino sharing how he overcame alcohol dependence, USA Weekend, January 26, 2003.

http://usaweekend.com/03_issues/030126/030126pacino.html

Lyrical Expression

Grab thy hand and walk through, bring me your time

How I long for release, shown presently reveals a man to repeat

God, how I long, how I long to grab thy hand and walk

May I come in, grab hold just this once, may I come in just this once

Grab thy hand and walk through, walk . . .

- Grab Thy Hand by Chevelle from the Wonder What’s Next album

[Kid Rock]
Livin' my life in a slow hell, Different girl every night at the hotel
I aint seen the sun shine in 3 damn days, Been fuelin' up on cocaine and whisky
Wish I had a good girl to miss me, Lord I wonder if I'll ever change my ways
I put your picture away, Sat down and cried the day, I can't look at you, I'm lyin' next to her

[Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow]
I thought about you for a long time, Can't seem to get you off my mind
I can't understand why we're living life this way

I found your picture today, I swear I'll change my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home . . . I just called to say, I love you come back home

- Picture by Kid Rock with Sheryl Crow from Kid Rock’s Cocky album, which was released in December 2001. This song was the greatest sales gainer on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart, dated February 1, 2003, jumping to #19 after 10 weeks.

Current Culture Image

This 2-page ad (only 1 page displayed here) for The Sims Online appeared in the Dec ‘02/Jan ’03 issue of CosmoGirl, pp. 24-25, and the February 2003 issue of Teen People, pp. 10-11. The ad shows two women looking into the mirror of a public bathroom, while one applies lip stick and the other fixes up her hair. The multiple reflected images looking back at the women vary by gender, ethnicity, etc. The tag line reads, “Be Somebody. Else. ™” The small print on the 2^nd page (not shown) reads, “It’s time for alter egos to unite in the unpredictable, multi-player, online world born of the imaginations of thousands of Sims players. Play as yourself or your outrageous Sims persona, and meet other people doing the same. Will you be: a recluse or raver? Prince or pauper? Casanova or clown? That’s up to you.”

This ad could be used as an opener for an examination of what kids see as they look into the mirror, noting whether they like being who they are or what they might want to change about themselves. Second, this ad could help teach empathy, as kids learn to “live” in another person’s skin. Third, similar to Internet chat rooms, this ad exposes the hidden danger of assuming a false identity, which runs counter to the cultural mantra of being “real” and the biblical mandate for authenticity and transparency.

Culture Links

http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp

This site features a free monthly teen focused “Trends & Tudes” newsletter put together by Harris Interactive.

http://www.top40-charts.com/

“Top40-Charts.com is an effort to create a single source for music news and charts from around the world.”

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

“Contemporary culture is rushing like a hungry Rottweiler down the hill at our kids. Now, I will be the first to say that not all elements of contemporary culture are bad . . . but . . . as the bad runs down the hill with its teeth bared, inexperienced and uninformed young children and teens might not realize that they are in danger. They might even reach out to pet and embrace the dog. Fortunately, most parents fulfill their God-given responsibilities by acting on their wisdom and experience. They step in to protect their children from harm and provide for their well-being. But tragically, there are many parents who leave their children ‘to the dogs’ because they have never gotten to the point where they themselves see the danger. They look at the rapidly changing world and say, ‘It’s not all that bad; it hasn’t affected me. And my kids are smart; it won’t affect them.” But parents who deny the power of culture handicap themselves when they could be helping their children grow into healthy adults.”

- Walt Mueller from Walt’s award winning book, Understanding Today’s Youth Culture, pp. 56-57.

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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.

www.cpyu.org