self-evaluation is a lifelong journey and, at this period in time, a constant struggle. i’m trying not to bitch and complain about every single thing that annoys me but damn (here we goes), mtv’s sweet sixteen show incites a staggering amount of anger. there’s only so much that editing and coaching will skew a perspective. segment cuts might delete the more “boring” parts consisting of, let’s hope, possible mature moments in the lives of the girls featured. and i’ll even give a bit of leeway for people’s tendency to act up because they’re being filmed. but if statements such as “i’m a woman now, i deserve this!” fly easily, then producer-coaching seems more likely to be an encouragement of misguided ideas on girl power than anything that might have been forced.
sample one-liners from yesterday’s “alexa” episode?
- i don’t want to cover up! …when trying on an extremely revealing belly dancer outfit.
- then you’d better give me the $3,000 [difference]! …when told by her mother that the center pieces chosen were less expensive than the ones she wanted.
- [i'll be so hot at my party] that he’ll regret breaking up with me!
- i’m totally a daddy’s girl.
- screw my dad! …when told by her mom to okay her belly dancer outfit with her father first.
wtf is up with the parents?! dad spoils without guidance and overshadows any of mom’s attempts to draw the line (not that mom puts up much of a fight when the tears and tantrums start). i’m really trying to stay away from being overly analytical and academically snooty just because i took a women’s history class — though, imo, i got lucky cuz i took THE women’s history class — but mtv is not letting me. each episode of this !@%#$#@! show features progressively spoiled brats mired in the world of looking sexy, owning name brands, and friend/boyfriend back-stabbing — all in the name of reaching “womanhood” at the advent of the magical sixteen. of all the parentals, there was only one mother who had enough responsibility to lay down the law: “you’re not getting that party until you pull up your grades!”; otherwise, it’s been an endless parade of teen girls who think turning sixteen years old automatically indicates maturity. they interpret self-confidence as “i always get what i want because [insert i rock, i'm stuborn, or i'm worth it] and apply such to every situation to get their way. apparently turning sixteen is the deadline for their parents to buy them a car, let them spend furiously in pursuit of the “perfect” party, and allow them to dress up in outfits that are This Far from decency (or even indicative of a unique personality). none of these girls are genuninely mean-spirited but (my god!!) the obsession with sex, sexiness, materialism, status, reputation, adoration…that list just goes on and on. infuriating and depressing at the same time. theories and passages from brumberg’s the body project keep flashing through my mind. there are many MANY parents out there who need a serious smack upside the head. where the fuck were y’all when these girls were growing up?!?!?! and you know what? sixteen means that they are still growing up. in fact, they won’t be done with the majority of growing up till they’re thirty-five if we calculate in the pitfalls and failures of today’s society. loving does not mean giving them everything they want that you yourself may never have gotten. please stop perpetuating the worst of human personality traits in our girls people. when hulk hogan raises his kids with more sense and responsibility than you, then you’ve got serious parental issues you need to address.
END preaching/complaining/angsty emo spill.