The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s

Youth Culture E-Update

Edition #31: February 14, 2003

 

 

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Contents:

I.  Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Teen Romance Survey

2) Spring Break Stats

3) Teen Drug Use Survey

4) Substance Abuse and Girls

5) TV Sex: More but “Safer”

6) Parent TV Concerns

7) Parents and Media Influence Eating Disorders

8) Child Sex Abuse: Victims to Offenders

9) Important Internet

II.  CPYU Resources

III.  Pop Culture Quotes: George Bush, Justin Timberlake, George Clooney, etc.

IV.  Lyrical Expressions: Zwan

V.  Current Culture Image

VI.  Culture Links:

VII.  “VCR/DVR Alerts”: PBS eating disorder report and Grammy’s

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

IX.  E-update & CPYU information

 

 

Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Teen Romance Survey

Teens reveal Valentine’s Day attitudes and plans, along with other insights, from an online survey of 3,000 teens (13-19 years old) on Angelfire.com, as reported by PRNewswire.

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/02-10-2003/0001887787&EDATE=

 

 

2) Spring Break Stats

The March 2003 issue of Teen People, p. 116, cites the Journal of Travel Research and a Clemson University student poll, regarding the conduct of the 70+% of students who go on a spring-break trip.

§         64% of guys and 51% of girls get drunk at least once

§         42% of those who drink alcohol have 5+ drinks in a night, and 20% are warned or arrested because of alcohol related behavior

§         30% of guys and 19% of girls use drugs

§         42% of guys and 22% of girls fool around with someone they meet during spring break

§         20% of guys and 5% of girls have sex with someone they meet during spring break

 

3) Teen Drug Use Survey

The 2002 Partnership Attitude Tracking Study, commissioned by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, surveyed 7,084 teens in 7th through 12th grade. Some of the key findings:

http://www.drugfreeamerica.org/Templates/pats.asp?ws=PDFA&vol=1&grp=NewsCenter&cat=National+Surveys&top=PATS+2002+-+Teens

http://www.drugfreeamerica.org/Acrobat/PATS_2002.pdf  (full 22 page pdf file report)

See also: Dental problems and methamphetamine (“crystal meth” or “crank”) use

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2142759

See also: Cocaine use and heart risks

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=scienceNews&storyID=2177040

See also: Dell computer pitchman “Steven” arrested for marijuana

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2203300

 

4) Substance Abuse and Girls

In a 3-year study of 1,220 8 to 22 year old females, researchers from the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) report on the unique patterns and characteristics of female substance users. Key points:

Ø       Females are more vulnerable to substance abuse and addiction as compared to boys.

Ø       Girls are drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes and marijuana at younger ages, and are beginning to keep pace with boys.

Ø       Girls who reach puberty early, move frequently, diet, consume coffee, were sexually or physically abused, or have bad parental relations are at increased risk of substance use.

Ø       Girls who use substances are more likely to be depressed, to have considered or attempted suicide, or to be involved in a physical fight.

Ø       Girls use alcohol or drugs to improve mood, reduce tension, cope with problems, lose inhibitions, increase confidence, enhance sex or lose weight. Guys use alcohol and drugs for thrill seeking and status.

Ø       Religious involvement and extracurricular activities are effective protective measures.

                http://www.casacolumbia.org/publications1456/publications_show.htm?doc_id=147495 

 

 

5) TV Sex: More but “Safer”

According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, in a random sample study of 1,123 TV shows airing between 7pm and 11pm during the 2001-2002 season, sex is depicted twice as many times compared to four years ago, but “safer sex” messages (contraception, abstinence, or consequences of sex) are increasingly present. Key findings include:

                http://www.kff.org/content/2003/20030204a/

                See also: Strict TV rules may encourage teen viewing

                http://my.webmd.com/content/article/60/66927.htm

 

6) Parent TV Concerns

Public Agenda released a report, “What Parents are Saying about TV Today”, that surveyed 1,600 American parents in the summer of 2002. Parents are increasingly concerned about the sexual, violent and profane content on TV. Some key findings:

                http://www.publicagenda.org/aboutpa/pdf/parents_tv.pdf  (full 10-page pdf file report)

See also: 41% of teens watched “American Idol”

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030131/4828231s.htm  

See also: Impact of media violence

http://www.aap.org/advocacy/childhealthmonth/media.htm

                See also: MTV apology for Gandhi spoof

                http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,11218,00.html  

 

7) Parents and Media Influence Eating Disorders

Researchers, reporting in the February 2003 journal Pediatrics, found various risk factors for girls who develop an eating disorder. The researchers surveyed 2,862 12-21 year old girls in Spain. Girls who regularly read girls’ magazines or listen to radio programs were 2.1 times more likely to develop an eating disorder. Girls, whose parents were not married, were 2 times more likely to develop an eating disorder. Girls who eat alone were 2.9 times more likely to develop an eating disorder.

                http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/2/315

See also: Underreported eating disorders

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2159660

See also: Teen boy anorexia stunts growth

                http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/2/270

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2160703

 

8) Child Sex Abuse: Victims to Offenders

In a longitudinal study of 224 former male victims of sexual abuse, appearing in the February 8, 2003 edition of The Lancet, as reported by Reuters, 26 (or 12%) became abusers as adults. The risk factors contributing to the abuse were lacking material necessities, being less supervised, suffering sexual abuse from a female, or witnessing serious family violence as a child.

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2190380  or

                http://www.thelancet.com/journal/vol361/iss9356/full/llan.361.9356.original_research.24424.1

 

9) Important Internet

The third annual UCLA Internet Report surveyed 2,000+ households to explore the prominence and impact of the Internet on daily life.

                http://www.ccp.ucla.edu/pages/internet-report.asp

                http://www.ccp.ucla.edu/pdf/UCLA-Internet-Report-Year-Three.pdf  (89 page pdf file)

 

 

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

“In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, ‘Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.’ The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home. May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.”

                - Portion of President George W. Bush’s remarks following the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy.

                http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/02/20030201-2.html

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030203/4832072s.htm

 

“Writing is meditation for me, like an escape. Whenever inspiration hits me, I have to stop what I’m doing. But talent is given by a higher power. You have to understand that it comes through you, not from you. You’re a passageway. I feel like somebody’s sitting beside me telling me what to write.”

                - Justin Timberlake, Vibe, February 2003, p. 86.

 

“Even though I know you can’t bargain with God, in the back of my mind, I was thinking that if I reached a lot of souls with my gospel album, maybe He’d see fit to heal my mother.”

                - Woody from Dru Hill, Vibe, February 2003, p. 103.

 

“In many ways, faith is the opposite of fact. So people who rely only on facts have a hard time with someone who believes his success is part of an inner knowing.”

                - Oakland A’s pitcher and 2002 AL Cy Young award winner, Barry Zito, ESPN, Feb 17, 2003, p. 75.

 

“I’m sure I was a stick figure, and I’m sure I thought I was grossly overweight.”

                - Actress Jennifer Garner, asked if she had any weight issues growing up, Teen People, March 2003, p. 81.

 

“If you’re struggling to lose weight, just make sure it’s not because the world wants you to.”

                - Rapper Missy Elliott, Vibe, February 2003, p. 120.

 

“I do think about the power of words. It’s easy for me to love everybody that’s like me, but the challenge is to love somebody who’s not like you.”

                - Rapper Common, Vibe, February 2003, p. 108.

 

“People's misery becoming entertainment, that's what's dangerous. And that seems to be the place we're going. I worry about television.”

                - George Clooney, quoted by Reuters, February 11, 2003

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2202631

 

“I have always been into pornography and I have used it all my life. But I am not a pedophile.”

                - Who guitarist Pete Townsend, who is facing child-porn charges, Rolling Stone, Feb 20, 2003, p. 18.

 

“I have devils inside that fight me.”

“People idolize me . . . but I tell them, 'Trust me, you don't want my life.' Because it hasn't been a very pleasant life. I've been a very tortured soul. I have not been at peace with myself.”

                - Music producer and murder suspect Phil Spector, USA Today, February 6, 2003.

                http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030206/4842949s.htm

 

Lyrical Expression

Jesus, I've taken my cross all to leave and follow thee (2x)
I'm destitute, despised, forsaken, utterly, and follow thee, and follow thee
Man may trouble to distress me to drive my heart to the cross
Yeah, man may trouble to distress me to drive this heart to the cross
I'm resolute, reviled, forsaken, utterly, and follow thee, and follow thee
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, Reborn, Reborn, Reborn, Reborn

- Jesus I by Zwan (led by ex-Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan)

from the Mary Star of the Sea album

                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/zwan/jesusimarystarofthesea.html  (corrected)

                (Editor’s note: read Walt Mueller’s Fall 1996 article on the Smashing Pumpkins

                http://www.cpyu.org/news/96fallh.htm )

 

Remove my spirit from darkness, love become my heaven as the world goes 'round with our love
I want you to be my message, I want you to be my friend
I want you to be that answer an answer I must defend
I want us to solve our distrust of everyone and trust in God
I want us to solve our distrust of who we are
As the world goes 'round it's got me thinking that the things I want just keep me sinking down

                - Ride a Black Swan by Zwan from the Mary Star of the Sea album

                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/zwan/rideablackswan.html

 

Current Culture Image

This Live Links chatline ad was found by Walt Mueller in a newspaper while on a speaking engagement in California. The ad shows a princess adorned in a white wedding dress and riding on a horse, as her prince charming walks the horse toward a distant castle with the following tag line, “And the princess never had passionate sex again. The End.” Other text in the lower left corner reads, “Enjoy the single life while you still can.” This ad could be used as a discussion starter on the changing attitudes surrounding the institution of marriage in culture today (see Walt’s “CQ” below).

                Another 2-page ad (not shown here) promoting the complete first season of “Six Feet Under” mocks marriage and parenting as it shows the open back door of a hearse with a flower arrangement covered casket inside, and the tag lines, “Get Married. Raise Children. Lose Husband. Start Life.” This ad appeared in the February 14, 2003 edition of Entertainment Weekly, pp. 36-37.

 

Culture Links

Netlingo.com is a dictionary of Internet terms used in the ever expanding online world.

http://www.netlingo.com

 

“TeenHollywood.com is a leading entertainment destination for teens around the world. The portal produces exclusive celebrity sites as well as daily TV, film, and music news and thousands of celebrity photos. Visitors to the site exceed 550,000 teens each month.”

                http://www.teenhollywood.com

 

“VCR/DVR Alerts”

PBS is airing “Perfect Illusions: Eating Disorder and the Family” on February 24, 2003 at 10pm. Check local listings.

http://www.pbs.org/perfectillusions/

 

45th Grammy Awards will air on Sunday, February 23, 2003, 8pm EST on CBS. Check local listings.

                http://grammy.aol.com/index.html

                See the Grammy nominees: http://207.178.134.200/45final.pdf  (61 page pdf file)

 

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

 “. . . God created sex to be marvelous, wonderful, and fulfilling when experienced within the bounds of his plan . . . God created intercourse to serve as a total expression of the lifelong love commitment between a man and a woman. Take away the lifelong part, the commitment, or the love, and sex becomes empty and cheap.”

                - From Walt Mueller’s award winning book, Understanding Today’s Youth Culture, pp. 260 and 262.

 

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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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