A few weeks ago, our family went to the mall to celebrate at Cheesecake Factory. I was surprised at the billboard advertising inside the mall. (I used to go to the mall at least once a week. But since I am now on a limited budget, I don’t even remember the last time I went shopping.)
When in the mall with my 9yo, I try to avoid passing by Victoria’s Secret. But to my surprise, there seems to be very limited square footage that’s safe or “kid-friendly’.
Am I getting too old?
I'm only 46 years old but have I lost my sense of humor?
Am I being uptight about nothing?
(The window says: 16% of people admit to interrupting sex to check their messages....WTF?"
I used to work in the city (NYC) and was barely “Americanized” when I managed a group of computer programmers. I was offended on how quite a few high ranking executives cursed out loud at almost every meeting. After a decade of that environment, a memo probably went out because the use of curse words “mellowed” down.
I sometimes still couldn’t stand watching my favorite shows when the “f” word was uttered in every sentence. (Believe me, whenever I watch these shows, I ended up saying “freaking” this and “freaking” that. So you see, if you hear it often enough, your own self will start saying something equivalent to those words).
I think I am fighting a lost cause? Is it fashionable to curse?
Are there feelings that can't be expressed unless attached to a curse word?
It does make someone feel different when things are totally “f’d up to scream the word on top of their lungs! But does it make it right to say it so often?
But when it comes to little innocent minds (maybe not that innocent)…
Is it acceptable to let the kids say “freaking” ? Isn’t that the same as the real curse word?
Am I making a big deal out of nothing?
Or have I totally lost my sense of humor?
Or is it hormones speaking?
I'm with you Jen, I hate the use of any of these words by children. i cringe when I walk with young people behind me who use these words despite my presence or the presence of my young children. When I was young, I would never curse in front of any adult for fear they would tell my mother. I won't let my children say these words and would love for others to tell me if they hear them say them, including my oldest. I have, unfortunately, the habit of using profanity at times and I wish I didn't. I know that it is because I started at a young age. I hope that I am helping my children in not developing this same habit which will translate into them using these words less as an adult.
ReplyDeleteE2:
ReplyDeleteAddendum:
"From my novice understanding, business is done much more formally and privately in East Asia."
E2:
ReplyDeleteConsider the unwelcome noise of corporate midia: Inquisitory Karma.
Which is why I prefer emerging East Asian nations, who are becoming more meticulous when it comes to monitoring web activity, prosecuting, quite unmercifully, when necessary, and going so far as to block superfluous content [primarily Western sources, where Honor is not practiced, never has, and never will be], all the while developing its own distinct and efficient network, where information-sharing and resource-sharing across respected Eastern boundaries are properly disseminated or sanctioned [depending on merit], avoiding haphazard Westernized waste.
Doesn't mean one has to relocate to the burgeoning Far East per se, but the increasing volatility of Western empires on the throes of collapse, should be noted, quite soberly by extended kin.
Been chronicling the mystical embedded in speech, if you're genuinely curious. I'll post a link, when I submit my comment.
MabuHAI
Tahimik, Tahimik"
http://www.blogger.com/profile/10944036746444807053
regards to you and yours!
E2:
ReplyDelete"Kumusta Ate, long time no comment. To put things in writing makes things a bit more concise and official, so I try and keep public rants [on popular social networks] to a minimum, although cur[s]ing out loud/rash outbursts can be just as problematic, if not more so, without training, I've found [been a season of "Silent Screaming" personally, which has sharpened my creative expression and critical thinking].
I'm not that much younger than you, so I can relate to your existential malaise. The disturbing crescendo of overt sensuality/gratuitous violence is not only a promotional method of salvaging a mediocre economy ,besides deadly arms sales and other rampantly corrupt transactions, but is also indicative of an e-Tech generation, whose poor handwriting skills and decreased attention spans enable collective Group-Think: as part of a Culture of War and Terror young folks are being groomed from battlefield simulations [ie incessant gaming] to real-time Transnational confrontations (namely M16 tutorials), unfortunately. Enabling such aggressive-instigatory temperaments in a Wild, Wild Me Generation, will spell disaster if left to their own maturing anarcho-devices, especially with the world wide web so accessible and unchecked.
(Here's E2's additional comments...
ReplyDeleteBlogger's having some technical difficulties:)
E2:
"Kumusta Ate, long time no comment. To put things in writing makes things a bit more concise and official, so I try and keep public rants [on popular social networks] to a minimum, although cur[s]ing out loud/rash outbursts can be just as problematic, if not more so, without training, I've found [been a season of "Silent Screaming" personally, which has sharpened my creative expression and critical thinking].
I'm not that much younger than you, so I can relate to your existential malaise. The disturbing crescendo of overt sensuality/gratuitous violence is not only a promotional method of salvaging a mediocre economy [besides deadly arms sales and other rampantly corrupt transactions], but is also indicative of an e-Tech generation, whose poor handwriting skills and decreased attention spans enable collective Group-Think: as part of a Culture of War and Terror young folks are being groomed from battlefield simulations [ie incessant gaming] to real-time Transnational confrontations [namely M16 tutorials], unfortunately. Enabling such aggressive-instigatory temperaments in a Wild, Wild Me Generation, will spell disaster if left to their own maturing anarcho-devices, especially with the world wide web so accessible and unchecked.
Kathy, I’m just like you. If my children says or do something that is not appropriate, I would like to know. I was never a “not my child” mother. When I hear kids say these words, I tell them NOT to. It’s just not polite. I sometimes get into an argument with kids as to what words are bad and what words are not really that bad. And setting an example is the only thing us, parents, can do.
ReplyDeleteAs E2 pointed out, the younger generation has a lot of access to uncensored media – internet, and plenty of unsupervised social networks. The young minds are getting lazier.
However, I don’t want censorship. There’s still freedom of speech – which is a freedom everyone enjoys and should treasure. Some people decide to abuse such freedom but it does not mean some people have to be silenced because some people decide to cross the line – to what’s decent and what’s not. What’s inappropriate for me may not be inappropriate for other people.
BUT when it comes to my children and my family, I hold the button and the scale as to what’s right and what’s wrong.
Parents, guardians and educators have a bigger responsibility to set examples to what I call “innocent” minds. It’s a tougher fight since the medium that makes cursing acceptable seems to grow in hundreds every single day.
I always tell my son, that just because things seem so cool don't mean they are beneficial. To raise our children is a challenge but the examples should be seen in our actions as their parents. They do copy what they see or hear. We can't preach what we don't do, right?
ReplyDeleteBut it is sad, to see that many are disrespectful now and good manners lost. God bless.
Even though some people think it's cool to use those words, I think it's just unbecoming --especially when uttered by children and teenagers.
ReplyDeleteI cringe too whenever I hear those words especially from the mouths of kids.
ReplyDeleteHappy Monday, sweetie!
I don't think your old or loosing your sense of humor. I think these ads are totally inappropriate. I think the problem is that everyone in business is going for the shock value and sadly family values are lost. It's everywhere now. They add it in movies when it ads nothing to the storyline and even detracts form it. I remember when the Transformers 2 movie came out. A movie marketed to young kids (with happy meal toys, ect). I cringed with the over the top inappropriate language that was NOT necessary.
ReplyDelete@Rcubes, I agree! Most of the things that are cool does not mean beneficial at all!
ReplyDelete@Buckeroomama, when did profanities cool? Glad to know it's not just me!
@Veronica, we should all have a campaign on "soaping" the kids' mouth when they say bad words.
@Christine, we have a tougher fight since the media is overwhelming!
We just have to keep fighting for our children..
i also suggest searching under "How To Brainwash A Nation" [an interview conducted in 1985 with a former KGB agent who was trained in subversion techniques. He explains the 4 basic steps to socially engineering entire generations into thinking and behaving the way those in power want them to.] on video-sharing sites for a summation about Media's intentions.
ReplyDeleteI am with you!! It is so sad! I worry so much about what my kids are exposed to!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you!! There is really no discretion, even at the mall. So sad!!
ReplyDelete