Today, the Babble editors received a story pitch that began
like this:
Unapologetic topics of today’s mass media and pop culture
has caused disrespectfulness, defiance and rejection of common courtesy to
become the mainstream. Kids are growing
up in a world of ESPN highlights and American Idol where it is acceptable to be
rude and self-promoting. What kids are
seeing on TV, the Internet and in magazines is leaving no room for strong
character development and sense of self.
We’re amused by the idea of ESPN highlights and
American
Idol ruining our children. (Flash forward twenty years:
“Before we incarcerate you for life, son, tell us;
where did it all go wrong?” “Well, back in 2007, I watched Garret Anderson hit
a grand slam for the Angels. And there was that time that Jordin sang “Livin’
on a Prayer.” That’s when I started disrespecting my parents…”) Then again,
Elvis songs and talking pictures were once primed to ruin our children.
It seems that blaming pop culture for kids’
problems never goes out of style.
