The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s

Youth Culture E-Update

Edition #39: June 15, 2003

EASY way to SUBSCRIBE for FREE!

Go to http://www.cpyu.org/culture.htm

Type in your e-mail address and hit “Submit”

Just follow the instructions when you receive the e-mail confirmation.

Contact eupdate@cpyu.org if you have any questions or experience any problems. 

Contents:

I.  Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Marijuana and Summer

2) Movie Smoking Influencing Teens

3) Teen Sex and Depression

4) TV Rules!

5) Perspectives on Abortion

6) E-mail Spam and Porn

7) Cell Phones and Text Messaging Teens

8) Bullying Impact

9) Fatherhood Stats

10) Music Preference Reflects Personality

II.  CPYU Resources

III.  Pop Culture Quotes: Reese Witherspoon, Ben Affleck, Brittany Murphy, and more.

IV.  Lyrical Expressions: Staind and Jewel

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) Marijuana and Summer

June and July are high time months for teens to first try smoking marijuana (5,800 per day), according to the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy.

                http://whitehousedrugpolicy.gov/news/press03/060303.html

                See also: Anti-drug ads help prevent drug use among teens

                http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/newsroom/releases/2003/june03/6.aspx

2) Movie Smoking Influencing Teens

Researchers, reporting in the journal Lancet, found a connection between exposure to smoking in movies and smoking initiation of viewers from a 2-part, multi-year survey of 2,603 non-smoking adolescents. 10% (259) of the adolescents began smoking before the second survey. Adolescents with high exposure to movie smoking were 2.71 times more likely to begin smoking, as compared to those with low exposure to movie smoking.

                http://thelancet.com/journal/vol361/iss9374/abs/llan.361.9374.early_online_publication.26083.1  or

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A36554-2003Jun9.html

See also: Smoking and PG-13 films

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/05-30-2003/0001956286&EDATE=

                See also: Smoking in movie trailers

                http://pressroom.americanlegacy.org/pressReleases/89-ORkiXXuQbfhJjMoLZ3xt/view 

                See also: MTV Movie Awards winners

                http://www.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/MTV_Movie_Awards/2003  

3) Teen Sex and Depression

The Heritage Foundation discovered a link between teen sexual activity and depression/suicide, after analyzing survey data from National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health of 6,500 nationwide 14-17 year old youth.

                http://www.heritage.org/Research/Family/cda0304.cfm

See also: Teen pregnancy web-site reports that nearly 20% of 12-14 year old youth have had sex.

                http://www.teenpregnancy.org/about/announcements/pr/2003/release5_20_03.asp

                http://www.teenpregnancy.org/resources/reading/youngteens/default.asp

                http://www.childtrends.org/n_whohavingsex.asp  (same/similar)

See also: “More teens have sex and fewer parents know”

                http://www.csmonitor.com/2003/0609/p02s01-ussc.htm  

                See also: Sexy teen girl magazines

                http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,88602,00.html

4) TV Rules!

A MultiMedia Mentor Junior study conducted by Knowledge Networks/SRI on 750 6-11 year old children explores the media consumption patterns of children. Some of the key findings:

• Boys concentrate their media use on TV, while girls more evenly divide their time across TV, radio, newspaper, magazines, and the Internet
• Kids with TV sets in their room spend an extra 1.25 hours of time with TV each day, compared to kids without a TV in their room
• Boys who play 90+ minutes of videogames per day also watch an extra 25 minutes of TV

                http://www.statisticalresearch.com/images/060503_MMMJunior.pdf

Also: According to Nielsen Media Research, as reported by USA Today on June 4, 2003, 4D, the top teen (12-17 year old) TV shows were (all FOX shows): 1) Malcolm in the Middle (1.46 million viewers), 2) The Simpsons (1.29 million), 3) King of the Hill (1.21), 4) Oliver Beene (1.21).

5) Perspectives on Abortion

A majority (53%) of U.S. adults say abortion is morally wrong compared to 37% who say it is morally acceptable, from a survey of 1,005 adults conducted in early May 2003. 32% of Protestants and 33% of Catholics said abortion is morally acceptable.

                http://www.gallup.com/poll/releases/pr030602.asp 

                See also: Newsweek cover story on abortion (“The war over fetal rights”)

                http://www.msnbc.com/news/920645.asp?0nw=n2d

6) E-Mail Spam and Porn

According to results of a survey commissioned by Internet security firm Symantec Corp on 1,000 7-18 year old e-mail enabled youth., 80+% of children receive inappropriate spam daily. 47% report receiving e-mails with links to pornographic websites. 21% open and read spam e-mails.

                http://www.symantec.com/press/2003/n030609a.html

                See also: “Spam’s Big Bang” article

                http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1101030616-457376,00.html

7) Cell Phones and Text Messaging Teens

According to Teenage Research Unlimited, as reported by USA Today, 45% of 12-19 year-olds have a cell phone, and 37% use text messaging (a.k.a., SMS or Short Message Service).

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030603/5207252s.htm

See also: More states allow cell phones in school

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030603/5207229s.htm

See also: Ring tones article

http://www.npdtechworld.com/techServlet?nextpage=news_article.html&nwsid=3106

8) Bullying Impact

Researchers, reporting in journal Pediatrics, discovered that bullied youth are more likely to report being depressed and suicidal from a survey of 4,811 9-13 year old youth in The Netherlands. Direct bullying includes name calling, threats, being hit or kicked. Indirect bullying includes ignoring, excluding and backbiting.

                http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/111/6/1312  and

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2889960

9) Fatherhood Stats

The U.S. Census Bureau released the latest statistics on fatherhood.

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-ff08.html

See also: “Two married parents the norm”

http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/2003/cb03-97.html

See also: Marriage happiness: 1980 vs. 2000

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2921854

See also: Daughters need dads article

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030611/5231427s.htm

10) Music Preference Reflects Personality

According to researchers reporting in the June issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, musical taste reflects a person’s personality. The findings were based on the results of six studies on 3,500+ students.

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews&storyID=2891344   or

http://my.webmd.com/content/article/66/79748.htm?lastselectedguid={5FE84E90-BC77-4056-A91C-9531713CA348}

CPYU Resources:

“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

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.

Magazine:  “YouthCulture @ Today” is the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s 24-page, ad-free, quarterly magazine that is full of up-to-date information and in-depth analysis on today’s youth culture. See promotional blurb at top of e-Update for ordering instructions.

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/cultquest.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

“Getting tattoos is really relaxing to me.”

                - Good Charlotte’s Benji Madden, YM, July 2003, p. 78.

“I don't like kids wearing clothes that make them look like and adult or sexy. It really, really bothers me. I saw this little girl wearing a T-shirt that said, ‘Porn Star’ and she was just five years old. I wanted to cover her.”

                - Actress Reese Witherspoon, quoted by teenhollywood.com on June 9, 2003

                http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=39313&cat=1027

“The woman has been with, like, five guys her whole life. That’s actually a track record not average of most adult women. There aren’t many virgins in the 30’s, but Jen is about as close to that as you’re likely to find, certainly in Hollywood.”

                - Actor Ben Affleck speaking about his future wife Jennifer Lopez, Vibe, July 2003, p. 100.

“I have such respect for the institution of marriage that I don’t believe people should spend their lives together if they’re not going to be totally happy. Do we spend time now trying to make it work and wasting precious moments of our lives, or do we remedy the situation and move on?”

                - Actress/singer Jennifer Lopez, Vibe, July 2003, p. 96.

“Well, between thirteen and fifteen is when I discovered drugs. I had a group of friends, and they were the cooler kids who would let me hang out with them. I did so much partying that I kind of earned respect.”

                - Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington, Rolling Stone, June 12, 2003, p. 60.

“A lot of people see me smoking and they think I'm smoking pot. People in cars are always looking over and going, 'Hey, dude, pass it over.' But I quit smoking pot when I was 17.”

- R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe, who rolls his own non-marijuana cigarettes, as quoted by Reuters from the Los Angeles Times.

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=oddlyEnoughNews&storyID=2862245

“He plays different characters through his songs, and he has said and written things that were tongue-in-cheek that were taken seriously. Marshall’s family is so important to him—we actually have similar backgrounds.”

- Actress Brittany Murphy (“8 Mile” movie) answering a question about the biggest misconception people have about Eminem (Marshall Mathers), Cosmopolitan, June 2003, p. 237.

“Having a son has made me very concerned about the future and about how things in the world are being steered, supposedly in my name. I wonder if our children will even have a future.”

                - Radiohead’s Thom Yorke, Spin, July 2003, p. 66.

“I don't blame the rock 'n' roll lifestyle. I blame me. You get caught up with the BS, and I did, of, ‘Oh, your mom’s really cool. She's really easygoing.’ I should have had more boundaries. I should have had more structure for Jack.”

                - Sharon Osbourne speaking about her son Jack’s rehab, USA Today, June 10, 2003, D1-2

“I was the Prince of Darkness nearly 35 years. Suddenly, I became Mr. Super Dad.”

“TV is the most powerful thing that has ever been invented.”

                - Ozzy Osbourne, USA Today, June 10, 2003, D1-2

                http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-06-09-osbournes_x.htm         

“Someone asked me the other day if we were turning into a Christian band. But we’re not trying to make a movement for religion or politics. We’re trying to make a movement for human connection. And that’s a lot to do.”

                - Train singer/lyricist Pat Monahan, USA Today, June 6, 2003, 12E

“There’s no line I won’t cross. I feel real comfortable with anything I say out of my mouth. When you get angry, you curse.”

                - Rapper Ludacris, Spin, July 2003, p. 46.

“I've tried as much as I can to be honest, and I've been lucky enough to do this job according to the morals and principles that suit me. Now, I'm ready for this album to be heard.”

                - Singer/songwriter Jewel, Reuters/Billboard, June 2, 2003

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=2864778

“When I got out of school, I realized I would never want a guy who wants me because I giggle and flip my hair and have a hot body. . . When you're young, you try to get acceptance from boys, but they don't even know what they want.”

                - Actress Drew Barrymore, quoted by teenhollywood.com, June 8, 2003

                http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=39149&cat=1027

“Anger is just an emotion—and for me, growing up, a denied emotion. That was not allowed in the house, or pain either. The denial of feelings really messed me up, and I wasn’t coming to terms with what my body would do when you’d get certain feelings. People associate anger with violence, but it’s a feeling that’s neither good nor bad till you act on it.”

                - Metallica singer James Hetfield, Entertainment Weekly, June 20, 2003, p. 38.

Lyrical Expression

If someone else showed you the way would you take the wheel and steer?
It hurts me that you're not ashamed of what you're doing here
If they jumped off a bridge would you meet them on the ground?
Or would you try and claim that it never made a sound
[chorus]
everyone plays the hand they're dealt and learns to walk through life themselves
not everything in life is handed on a plate
when people think your words are true it doesn't matter what you do
I sold my soul to get here how 'bout you?
So you choose to force your hand what a strange way to make friends
And you always change the rules so the drama never ends
And you blindly go through life judging only by what its worth
Just try not to forget that the meek inherit earth

                - How About You by Staind from the 14 Shades of Grey album

                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/staind/howaboutyou.html

Mothers weep, children sleep

So much violence ends in silence,

It’s a shame there’s no one 2 blame for all the pain that life brings

                - Chorus us of Stand by Jewel from the 0304 album

In a world of postmodern fad, what was good now is bad

It’s not hard 2 understand, just follow this simple plan

Follow your heart, your intuition, it will lead you in the right direction, let go of your mind . . .

- Portion of Intuition by Jewel from the 0304 album, which is the #27 song after 7 weeks on Billboard’s “Hot 100” chart, dated June 21, 2003.

Current Culture Image

This ad for Mint Skittles appeared in the June 2003 issue of YM, p. 55, the June 2003 issue of Vibe, p. 50, and the June/July 2003 issue of Teen People, p. 79. The ad shows falling snowflakes with Mint Skittles as the hub, and the tag line that reads, “No two are exactly alike.” Youth leaders could use this ad to facilitate a conversation about understanding each person’s uniqueness and worth, or to affirm teens that they are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14) in the “image of God” (Genesis 1:27). 

Culture Links

The Federal Communications Commission’s “Parent’s Place” site contains “an array of information to help parents deal with, decipher, and monitor the communications that their children can access.”

                http://www.fcc.gov/parents/

As Common Sense Media states on their web-page, “Our mission is to give parents, educators, and kids a choice and a voice about the media they consume. . . Our goal is to provide trustworthy information and create a forum where adults and kids can learn from each other, speak out, and participate in creating a responsible and enjoyable media environment for everyone.”

                http://www.commonsensemedia.org/

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

“It’s not too late to teach our own kids right from wrong. One step in that direction is to turn off media and video game violence in our homes. Fill that time with love, involvement and attention. We’re mistaken if we think they’re being entertained and not educated by what they see. It’s not too late to challenge other parents to face the reality of the role media violence plays in the lives of their kids. And it’s not too late to identify and reach out to those children and teens who aren’t being raised in a home where involved parenting is a priority. They are sitting ducks waiting to be swept away by the prevailing winds of cultural attitudes.”

-From Walt Mueller's “There’s a virus in the air” article on youth violence from the just released Summer 2003 edition of “YouthCulture @ Today”, p. 19 (see ordering instructions at top of e-Update).

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

The CPYU “Today’s Youth Culture E-Update” is a bi-weekly e-mail resource on relevant topics of interest for youth workers, 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.

CPYU grants permission to cite or quote the youth culture e-Update electronically or in print as long as the source is cited as “the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding's Youth Culture e-Update - Doug West, ed.”

www.cpyu.org