Community Corner

Moms Vent: MTV's Sweet Sixteen

A local mom isn't unhappy with cable television's porgrams

Hi Julia and Northeast Cobb Neighbors,

If I could find a way, I'd have MTV's Sweet 16 show banned. My kids watch it. My friends' children watch it. This television program teaches children to be superficial, envious, decadent, and materialistic.Β 

My friend Debbie asked out loud yesterday, "Where did these kids learn entitlement?" Her teenage daughter feels entitled to have Coach handbags, and because an after-school part time job can't possibly pay for such luxurious items, she expects Debbie, a single mom, to magically make it happen.

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My son has big plans for his sixteenth birthday party. He believes that his first car should be new. I don't have a new car. Our family has always lived within our means. We're not extravagant people.

In these difficult economic times, what average parent can afford to throw their 16 year old a lavish party fit for a rap star? Oh, and let's not forget the brand new luxury automobile as the birthday gift.

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I have a solution. Instead of teen shows like MTV's Sweet 16, how about television programs that teach teens what's happening in the real world? A day in the life of a parent; hard work, stress, worry, taxes, unemployment, and money management.

Patty K.

Do your kids watch Sweet 16? Do you feel that watching it has adversely affected your kids? Please reply in the Comment Box below.


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