Because I work at iMOM, I read so much about the negative effects of media on children. Sometimes, parents don’t like what they read and choose to believe that TV, movies, music, and videos really don’t impact children as much as we think they do. But it does, according to what I read today.CNN reported some interesting findings based on a new study published in the Journal of Psychology Research on Cyberspace. The study looks at what teens value most and reports a recent shift in the values of American Youth. According to the surveys tweens in 1967, 1977 and 1997 ranked being part of a community first and in 1987 it was ranked second. Today’s tweens now rank fame as their number one value. What was fame before? Fame was ranked 15th in 1967, 13th in 1977, 15th in 1987 and 15th in 1997. This is a big shift in values and psychologists fear it may have a negative effect on our children’s future goals and accomplishments.
Why did fame go from 15th to number 1 in values after 40 years? The study indicates that one of the main reasons for the decline in traditional values is the decline in values of popular television characters. In the past 50 years shows such as “The Andy Griffith Show” and “I Love Lucy” have morphed into “American Idol” and “Hannah Montana”.
Clinical psychologist Joanna Lipari says, “There is no doubt we are living in the cult of celebrity.” The idea, she says, is “that being famous is a ticket to a better life.” Tweens are simply trying to develop their identity, Lipari explains. To them, watching stars live in the limelight, looks ideal.
What should we do? The report advises that parents should talk with their children about the television shows they watch.
Hmmm….I would add a bit more than that. If you delve further into the study you will find that the value rankings today are as follows # 1 – fame, #2 – achievement, #3 – popularity, #4 – image, #5 – money. The value rankings for past 40 years included values such as benevolence, self acceptance and tradition along with community. Image is the only common value between now and the past 40 years.
I agree that parents should talk to their children, but so many children don’t have parents that are aware. With that in mind, what responsibility do those who know have in effecting change for the good of the country? Shouldn’t CNN, the Journal of Psychology and the parents who know what is happening talk to media producers? Is it possible to change our culture’s acceptance of valueless and even detrimental programming? If we do not how many children will grow up despondent because they value fame, thinking it is the only form of success, and fame is unattainable?
