Highlighted Resource:

Looking for a great book that will shake you out of complacency and into the world with a life-shaking Biblically informed faith? This month I'm recommending one of the best books I've read in the last couple of years. It is John Fischer's Fearless Faith: Living Beyond The Walls of "Safe" Christianity. In this phenomenal and practical exposition of Jesus' prayer in John 17, Fischer reminds Christians that Jesus never called us to form a Christian subculture to protect ourselves from being challenged or offended by a sinful and fallen world. Instead, Jesus prayed and willed that we fearlessly engage our culture at every possible level with the hope and promise of the Gospel. For those of you working with students, you'll find Fearless Faith to be a great book to read and discuss with your kids. You can order a copy of Fearless Faith from CPYU. Call us at 800-807-CPYU to order your copy. Your $13 donation will cover the cost of the book and shipping. Proceeds from your donation will support the ministry of CPYU.

 

The Center for Parent/Youth Understanding’s

Youth Culture E-Update

Edition #41: July 30, 2003

 

EASY way to SUBSCRIBE for FREE!

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Contents:

I.  Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

1) Unmarried Child-Bearing Morality

2) Teen Media Consumption

3) Offensive TV

4) Gun Toting Teens

5) Domestic Violence Cycle

6) Parents Survey on Teen Alcohol

7) Exam Stress and Acne

8) Teen Girl Body Image

9) Youth Well-Being Stats

10) Quit Smoking: Not So Easy

11) Hallucinogenic Herb Attracting Teens

II.  CPYU Resources

III.  Pop Culture Quotes: P.O.D.’s Sonny, Angelina Jolie, Jason Giambi and many more!

IV.  Lyrical Expressions: Ashanti and Mya

V.  Current Culture Image

VI.  Culture Links:

VII. “VCR/DVR Alert”

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

IX.  E-update & CPYU information

 

Youth Culture Stats and Trends:

 

1) Unmarried Child-Bearing Morality

According to the Gallup Tuesday Briefing from a survey of 1,005 adults conducted in early May 2003, 51% of U.S. adults say having a baby outside of marriage is morally acceptable, while 46% say it is morally wrong. 71% of adults who seldom or never attend church said having a baby outside of marriage is morally acceptable, compared with 26% who attend church weekly.

                http://www.gallup.com/poll/tb/religValue/20030715.asp  (fee to access)

 

2) Teen Media Consumption

Teen and young adult media consumption patterns were explored in a Yahoo! online survey of 2,618, 13 to 24 year-olds, as reported by MSNBC. Young people spend, on average, 16.7 hours per week online (not counting e-mail); 13.6 hours watching TV; 12 hours listening to the radio; 7.7 hours talking on the phone; 6 hours reading books.

                http://www.msnbc.com/news/943524.asp  

                http://promotions.yahoo.com/btbw_2003  (access to 1MB, 36 page pdf file)

 

3) Offensive TV

TV Guide magazine, as reported by Reuters, commissioned a survey of 1,015 adults in regards to offensive television content (violence, nudity, and language). Some key findings:

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=3162607

                See also: “TV swearing ‘devastates’ communication skills”

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=televisionNews&storyID=3099105

 

4) Gun Toting Teens

Researchers from Ohio State University and the University of Michigan interviewed 682 urban African American students asking if they had carried a gun in the past 12 months. 20% reported carrying a gun at least once, 15% occasionally, and 5% regularly.

                http://www.acs.ohio-state.edu/researchnews/archive/teengun.htm

 

5) Domestic Violence Cycle

Researchers from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons found a correlation between exposure to domestic violence between parents as a child and subsequent partner violence as adults from a 20 year study of 543 children. The findings appear in the August 2003 edition of the Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology.

                http://www.apa.org/releases/partnerviolence.html

                http://www.apa.org/journals/ccp/press_releases/august_2003/ccp714741.pdf  (full 13 page pdf file)

                See also: “Violent movies can influence already troubled teens”

                http://abcnews.go.com/sections/living/GoodMorningAmerica/matrix030710_killings.html

 

6) Parents Survey on Teen Alcohol

Parents are concerned about the impact of alcohol ads on adolescent behavior, according to an early June 2003 survey of 801 parents of 12 to 17 year old youth commissioned by the Center on Alcohol Marketing and Youth at Georgetown University. Some key findings:

                http://camy.org/press/release.php?ReleaseID=13  

                See also: College anti-drinking campaign questioned

                http://www.msnbc.com/news/943077.asp?0cv=CB20

                See also: Short lived college binge drinking?

                http://my.webmd.com/content/article/70/81130.htm?

  

7) Exam Stress and Acne

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine found a connection between exam stress and acne occurrence from a small study conducted on 22 college students.

                http://archderm.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/139/7/897  (full article access!)

                See also: Time magazine cover story article on meditation

                http://www.time.com/time/covers/1101030804/story.html

 

8) Teen Girl Body Image

The July/August 2003 issue of the American Journal of Health Behavior, as reported by WebMD.com, found teen girls perceived themselves to be 11 pounds over their ideal weight, from a study of 200+ high school students.

                http://my.webmd.com/content/article/71/81273.htm?

                http://www.kittle.siu.edu/ajhb/2003/27-4-7.htm  (free abstract)

 

9) Youth Well-Being Stats

The U.S. Government released its 7th annual progress report on America’s youth titled, “America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2003.” Some key findings:

                http://www.nichd.nih.gov/new/releases/americas03.cfm

 

10) Quit Smoking: Not So Easy

According to research findings released by the American Legacy Foundation, 65% of 16-24 year old smokers said they wanted to quit smoking, yet only 3% succeeded, from a survey of 6,572 youth.

                http://pressroom.americanlegacy.org/pressReleases/95-PA0HsLPG36qb5vnSnZ95/view

See also: “Policing stores doesn’t curtail teen smoking”

                http://www.healthday.com/view.cfm?id=514362

See also: Smoking and income/education link

                http://www.jointogether.org/sa/news/summaries/reader/0,1854,565545,00.html

                See also: Manipulating nicotine levels

                http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CIGARETTES_NICOTINE?

 

11) Hallucinogenic Herb Attracting Teens

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is warning about a legal Mexican hallucinogenic herb, salvia divinorum, that is getting the attention of a growing number of teens.

                http://www.centredaily.com/mld/centredaily/news/6373632.htm

                http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2003-06-22-salvia-usat_x.htm

                http://abcnews.go.com/sections/us/DailyNews/divinorum020401.html

 

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. Available for a donation of $15 a year, you can sign up by either calling CPYU on the phone, 800-807-CPYU, or by downloading the order form from 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/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

“Marijuana smells better than anything in the world, but as soon as I get a whiff, I gotta get away.”

                - Born again Christian Sonny Sandoval lead singer of P.O.D., Blender, August 2003, p. 48.

 

“When I started to smoke, I started to notice I was much more reflective and conscious. Alcohol makes you stupid and after a while you get depressed.”

                - Dancehall rapper Sean Paul, The Source, July 2003, p. 101.

 

“I like to smoke weed sometimes. In college, I used to smoke every day. Freshman year I got to college and it was, like, a weed bonanza.”

                - Singer/songwriter Pete Yorn, Blender, June/July 2003, p. 172.

 

“I get a lot of letters from kids that just hurt. Some kids are so depressed at home and with how people treat them in school that they cut themselves. This happens all over the world -- kids who don't want to kill themselves, but nobody understands how much they hurt, so they cut themselves with razor blades. And a lot of these letters, the kids said they’ve stopped when they started listening to our records. And I know there are kids out there every night who need to come to the show and scream along because of whatever chaos is in their life.”

                - Linkin Park lead singer Chester Bennington, USA Weekend, July 13, 2003.

                http://usaweekend.com/03_issues/030713/030713linkin_park.html

 

“This was very, very, very, very personal. It was a good soul-searching thing for me to do. I think the songs are more introspective in many ways.”

                - Dave Matthews quoted by Reuters about the content of his upcoming solo album release, “Some Devil”.

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=3087647

 

 “It’s taking everything you’ve learned from your parents and school and finding out what works for you and what you have to offer. The important question is, what feels right for you?”

- Actor Brad Pitt answering a question about what defines the teenage years, Teen People, August 2003, p. 112.

 

 “Finding faith and believing in who you are because you tested it, and not because you’ve been raised a certain way or you were told a certain thing your whole life.”

- Singer/actress Mandy Moore answering a question about her upcoming movie “Saved” from an interview on TeenHollywood.com

                http://www.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=41942&cat=1035&pg=10

 

“No, that was never really an option for me. But growing up with my sister (older sister Tanya is gay), I learned that whether it be her being with women or men being with other men, there’s never a wrong or a right thing about it. Society has never played a part in my beliefs.”

- Actress Kristanna Loken (“T3” movie) answering whether she liked girls, Rolling Stone, July 24, 2003, p. 46.

 

I didn’t force her to do anything against her will. I’m innocent. I sit here in front of you guys furious at myself, disgusted at myself for making a mistake of adultery.”

                - NBA player Kobe Bryant responding to allegations of sexual assault with a 19 year-old woman.

                http://msnbc.com/news/939560.asp?0cv=CA01

 

“It is wrong to download but the answer cannot be jail.”

                - Michael Jackson speaking out against proposed Internet file-sharing law, Reuters, July 22, 2003.

                http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=3135659

 

“I (say) that $1 million is really only $320,000. Your ... agent has to get his cut. Then there's the girlfriend, wife or baby’s mama. You'll hook up your family and homeboys. There’s jewelry, clothes and those sweet tire rims. And, of course, Uncle Sam comes first.”

                - Tampa Bay Buc’s Keyshawn Johnson, USA Today, July 9, 2003, C1.

                http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/bucs/2003-07-07-johnson-career_x.htm

 

“I’m a mother now, which is a lot wilder and more dangerous than anything I was doing as a teenager.”

                - Angelina Jolie, Entertainment Weekly, July 18, 2003, p. 34.

 

“It's that middle stage when you might not know what life means that is the dangerous time. But I don’t have that anymore. I used to when I was younger.”

- Actress Angelina Jolie speaking about her struggles through her late teens and early twenties, USA Today, July 17, 2003, 1D.

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030717/5330680s.htm

See also: Angelina on Lara Croft character

http://reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=entertainmentNews&storyID=3144539  

 

“I’ve got tattoos all over my body. My sister’s husband got me into it—he’s tattooed up all the way. Now I’ve got some tribal symbols, a few skulls, there’s a dragon on one of my arms—you might say I’ve got issues. It’s incredibly addictive and I plan on getting more. The designs I’ve picked have been drawn specifically for me, though, because once you get one, you’re stuck with it for life—so you’d better pick something good.”

                - New York Yankees baseball player Jason Giambi, Spin, August 2003, p. 54.

 

“It doesn’t hurt much more than getting the tattoo in the first place. It just hurts in a totally different sort of way.”

                - Angelina Jolie talking about tattoo removal, Entertainment Weekly, July 18, 2003, p. 28

See also: Angelina’s tattoo diary

http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030717/5330590s.htm

 

“But the voodoo part is true. It’s the basis of the tattoo I have on my shoulder . . . I’ve investigated a number of religions. I was into Zen Buddhism for a while. But voodooism is the one that stuck more. It’s very interesting. Not that I practice it or anything.”

                - Actress Kristanna Loken (“T3” movie), Rolling Stone, July 24, 2003, p. 46.

 

“They all say the exact same thing, which is `be nice and nicer things will happen for you,' and by God if it ain't true.”

- Actress Roseanne Barr talking about the advice she receives from Buddhists and Christians, as reported by the Associated Press on July 16, 2003.

                http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/T/TV_ROSEANNES_REALITY?

 

“There is no way to not be changed by the suicide of a loved one. I never used to appreciate the little things in life, and I do now.”

                - R&B singer Monica talking about her boyfriend’s suicide, Teen People, August 2003, p. 107.

 

Lyrical Expression

See, everyday we complain about lil ups and downs
We needa be thanking the lord that we're still around
You'll never ever know when it is your time to go and
I know its hurtin so bad when we lose people that we love
Gotta use that example n try and straighten up
U gotta live everyday as if its ya last one
One minute ya here and the next day ya gone

                - Then Ya Gone by Ashanti from the Chapter II album
                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/ashanti/thenyagone.html

 

See, baby I know you done had your share of girls
I am more than confident you won't ever have to search any streets for affection I got you
What kind of girl you like, I know my looks can be deceivin'
Tell me am I your type, My main goal is to please you
What's on the schedule tonight, Am I the reason you'll be treatin'
I hope you have an appetite, So tell me will you come and spend the night
My love is like...wo, My kiss is like...wo, My touch is like...wo
My s*x is like...wo, My a** is like...wo, My body's like...wo
And you're kissin' it, So what you think of it.

- My Love Is Like . . . Wo by Mya from the Moodring album was the greatest sales gainer on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, dated August 2, 2003, after 6 weeks, and stands at #29 (up from #41) as of August 9, 2003.

                http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/mya/myloveislikewo.html

 

Current Culture Image

This Lever 2000 deodorant body wash ad appeared in the July 2003 edition of Glamour, p. 101. The ad shows a man’s and a woman’s legs dangling over the edge of a hammock. The man’s big toe is suggestively rubbing the underside of the woman’s foot with the following tag line, “Part 1982 (written in box on woman’s foot) meets Part 1953 (written in box on man’s foot).” This ad could be used to discuss cross-generational dating and/or facilitate a conversation on sexual abuse.

 

Culture Links

The American Religion Data Archive provides “quantitative data on American religion”.

                http://www.thearda.com/

 

The Rap Dictionary site educates people about common rap terms and expressions.

                http://www.rapdict.org

 

“VCR/DVR Alert”

(2nd reminder) The 2003 “Teen Choice Awards” are set to air on Fox on Wednesday August 6, 8PM ET (check local listings)

                http://www.fox.com/tca2003/home.htm  

 

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

“In an effort to feel good about themselves, avoid pain, and be accepted, many kids face the struggle of being ‘forced’ by peers to compromise their convictions in order to fit in. They want to be esteemed by others. As a result, they will often be too scared to stand up for what they believe. And when push comes to shove, acceptance by the crowd is more important in the decision-making process than personal convictions and values.”

-From Walt Mueller's award winning book “Understanding Today’s Youth Culture”, p. 217.

 

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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 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.”

 

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