Okay moms and dads, it’s time for some serious talk. What on earth are we doing to our kids and teens?!!! I ask this question because I’ve recently witnessed a few disturbing things regarding society in relation to our kids and the younger generation that has my scared out of my mind for my one year old daughter.
To give a little background to my mind’s current state, just a few hours ago I watched a documentary film on Netflix called “Hot Girls Wanted” (HGW). My husband warned me beforehand that the candid screenplay was “scary and disturbing” but I decided to watch it anyways since I’m huge documentary film buff always looking for new titles. “Hot Girls Wanted” is an R-Rated best described as a first-ever look at the realities of the professional “amateur” porn world and the steady stream of 18-to-19-year old girls entering into it. Directed by Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus, who also produced the hit film “Sexy Baby” which followed a similar plot in examining sexuality and the media amongst high school teens, HGW follows five teen girls as they embark on new career paths into pornography. Considering the subject matter, I applaud the producer’s ability to capture and edit the film in such a way that the young girls remain dignified throughout with zero full on sex scene and minimal nudity flashes from the waist up while the camera catches them preparing for shoots.
Like my husband described, the film left me feeling totally freaked out for my daughter as I know things will only get worse as both she and technology progresses. Even as a grown woman I sometimes feel pressure to take personal photos of myself and family life that capture only the best sides of us, with cute and sarcastic hashtag laden captions attached whenever possible. Even though my Facebook posts are pretty much limited to friends and family I still worry about just how much of my sweet baby I should share on the net. And as she gets older I continually pray she doesn’t become engulfed in the societal obsession afflicting various ages to be the coolest, cutest, skinniest, and picture perfect chick adorned with Gucci bags, fake hair, and booty shorts. A perfect example of today’s younger generation being so focused on the race to look sexier at a much younger and barely legal age is evidant in young celebrities like Kendall Jenner, a member of the Kardashian clan, that often poses in over the top sexy outfits and posts them online for millions of people to see and she’s only 17yrs old! But I try to remain nuetral when it comes to my opinions of the teen because with such examples from immediate family members on how to use your body and sex to sale its no wonder she looks and dresses the way she does in the images above (all the same girl, Kendall Jenner, first in her “normal” girly self, but now her image is 24/7 “sex”).
So disturbed by the HGW film I tried focusing my attention on writing after the film was over but all the stories and faces of the young girls continued to haunt me as they remind me of my own daughter and my love and worry for her. After a while I finally made the decision that I wanted my next article to focus on cute kids fashion on a budget. After one single Google search for “kids fashion trends” I was bombard by images of all these “hipster” babies and toddlers that where dressed in such grown up fashion and styled from head to toe in coordinating accessories that again my mind was blown. Fashion industry titan Harper’s Bazaar has even published an 11 page photo spread of “10 stylish & trendy tots on Instagram” that has received thousands of views and inspired a movement known as “Minnie me” fashion in which the parent (usually the mom) dresses her child in the exact same outfit that she’s wearing but with minor alterations. Yes it’s cute, and I love to dress Savannah up (see photo below) but and I can’t help but get the creepy feeling that much of this is done as another way to get online attention for themselves, their child, or both.
Rarely do I indulge in “soap box” moments but I absolutely couldn’t help myself regarding the issue of fame and love for money we’ve all bought into and I’m extremely disheartened by the effects it’s having on the morality of our society as a whole. If you’re a parent of today’s generation or future parents of those to come “Hot Girls Wanted” is certainly a documentary film that you should not only watch, but have an explorative conversation about with your teens. If they are underage they of course do not need the blow by blow details of the movie but I’m sure you’d find the responses you’d receive from your child to be very interesting to say the least.
Dianna Davis
Sunday 23rd of August 2015
Pretty scary I have to admit-- I really think when people turn away from GOD they lose so much--I can't see my children like this,and I hope and pray I never will.
Amanda Sovago-Royal
Monday 24th of August 2015
Dianna,
Thanks for commenting and I too hope to never see my children those ways. It broke my heart listening too and watching the parents of one of the girls describe her constant worry and fear for her daughter's safety. Thankfully she was one of the girls that quit after so many months.
Danielle Royalegacy
Sunday 23rd of August 2015
It is very disturbing to see these trends, but I believe it all comes down to one thing - we've taken God out of our society. If you put your daughter into public school, she will be sexualized starting in Kindergarten. She will have to wear sexy outfits to fit in, she will have to be up-to-date with the latest trends or be scorned; all the things you fear will come true. If you still have cable TV, she will see it there as well.
My husband and I prevented it with our children - we homeschooled them. We unplugged the TV and watched only what we buy - good wholesome shows and movies. My kids grew up to be normal people with good Christian consciences. They are not sexualized, do not have the wear the latest scanty fashions, and don't look for people to sleep around with. One of my six is now married to a man with the same principles, and has a daughter and now a son on the way. She is appalled at the fashions she finds for her one year old daughter, and strives to find modest clothing for her, they have no TV in the house, and will be homeschooling her children. I know my grandkids are going to be raised correctly with a good Christian conscience.
Since I have seen that you too are appalled with where our society is leading our children, I urge you to consider homeschooling yours before the schools turn your children against you. They are also taught in schools that they should make up their minds for themselves, not listen to the principles of their parents, to have sex and masturbate at an early age, and there is no God.
Amanda Sovago-Royal
Monday 24th of August 2015
Danielle,
Thanks for all the advice, my husband and I have really been considering homeschooling for quite awhile but we go back and fourth with the idea. Reasons vary from educational standards, religion, and the huge increase in violence both physically and mentally. We still have some years to decide which route we'll take but I always love hearing from parents of children that are homeschooling so thank you so much for your insight!