During my middle school years, I had a crush on a pop star named Jamie Collins. This was before he publicly identified his sexuality, leading me to believe I might have a shot. I remember his hit song, “Desire for Your Love.” At the time, I felt a bit uneasy about singing along, given my young age. As a parent now, I can’t help but wonder what our parents were thinking back then.
Fast forward a few decades, and now it’s Emma, crooning about “Romance in the Air” while I hastily change the radio station to prevent our preschooler from learning the lyrics and performing them at family gatherings. (Trust me, it’s happened before.)
The sheer amount of childhood innocence being compromised in our daily environment can be quite alarming. Just look at the tabloid headlines at the grocery store checkout! Most people seem indifferent, which says a lot. However, these concerns become amplified when viewed through what I like to call “parental lenses.”
When observing the world through parental lenses, something that once seemed innocent may suddenly morph into a potential threat to our children’s well-being and even humanity as a whole. (Hello, Zoey!)
This unsettling perspective begins early. I once thought that children’s programming like “Benny Bear” and “Sophie’s Adventures” was entirely harmless—possibly even educational. Then I became a parent, and suddenly Benny Bear transformed into a troublemaker, provoking tantrums and whining among innocent toddlers. Sophie and her friends became bratty characters who teach kids inventive ways to insult one another. While it’s not as extreme as reality TV, those parental lenses magnify the problematic nuances I never noticed before.
Consider popular networks like Nickelodeon or Disney Channel. I once regarded them as quality family entertainment, but now I see them filled with sassy, disrespectful teenagers who talk back to their parents. While many remember her as a sweet child star, it’s important to note that Hannah Montana wasn’t the most exemplary role model either.
One day, while watching a Disney show with my young relatives, I noticed a TV-7 rated segment featuring a teenage boy making out with a girl at a diner. That alone felt inappropriate for a kids’ show. Then, when his friend interrupted, the boy nonchalantly responded, “What? I bought her a soda first.” Cue the canned laughter.
I was taken aback. Such scenes aren’t surprising in today’s media landscape, but I couldn’t comprehend how they were deemed suitable for children. Many kids watch these channels unsupervised, assuming Disney is a safe choice. However, every time I catch a glimpse, it makes me want to shield my children from everything except wholesome shows like “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
At times, I recognize that these parental lenses reflect my fears and anxieties. I worry about how pop culture might shape my children’s values and beliefs. The overwhelming influence of mass media and consumerism is daunting, and I fear my efforts to instill sound judgment may be drowned out by a torrent of negative influences. I worry my children might find it easier to ride the wave of popular culture rather than resist it.
I know complete sheltering isn’t realistic or even desirable. Just as children need to play outside to build their immune systems, they also require some exposure to less-than-ideal situations to learn to navigate them effectively. Perhaps I need to occasionally remove the parental lenses and enjoy a moment of blissful ignorance.
Yet, I lean towards a cautious approach. My fears are not baseless. I lack trust in those trying to market products to my children. I’m skeptical of the entertainment industry that pushes adult themes onto younger audiences and corporations exploiting trends for profit. While these influences will inevitably infiltrate our lives, we don’t have to embrace them without question. There’s a significant difference between managing minor issues and facing a full-blown crisis. Similarly, it’s crucial to be involved in guiding our children rather than leaving them to fend for themselves in a media-saturated world.
When my children were younger, we opted to shield them from many influences. As they matured, we began to consume media together and have discussions regarding what we choose to expose ourselves to. We emphasize the importance of critical thinking and discernment, discussing how media can impact us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We analyze the motivations behind the choices made by marketers and celebrities and talk through various scenarios in media and reality.
Still, I find myself worrying. Perhaps I will always have this instinct. These parental lenses may eventually transform into “Grandma Lenses,” and I can only speculate how that perspective will interpret the world. Maybe the sensationalism of today’s pop culture will seem trivial in comparison to future trends. Maybe it will be better, or worse. Perhaps I will learn that parental guidance holds more weight than pop culture influences.
I sincerely hope so.
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Summary
In summary, viewing the world through parental lenses heightens awareness of the various influences our children face. It encourages proactive conversations about media consumption and its implications while recognizing the need for a balanced approach to exposure. As parents, we navigate the complexities of protecting our children while equipping them with the tools to critically engage with the world around them.