Teen girls are being bombarded with TV shows that portray negative images of women.
You know better than to tell your teenage daughter to sit in front of the TV to build her self-esteem…
But did you know that if she’s watching TV it could actually lower her self-esteem?
Now, more than ever, your teenage daughter is likely to come across shows depicting much more violence towards women and teenage girls.
For instance, the popular show Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) is currently one of America’s most popular prime time programs.
And in nearly every episode a woman or teenager has been graphically attacked, raped, tortured, or abused to the point of being killed.
Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit is another one…
The premise for this show is that you get to follow the “elite squad of detectives who investigate sexually based crimes.”
Needless to say there are plenty of women and girls being victimized in this TV program because that’s often who the sexual crimes are done to in these stories.
What does this disturbing trend mean for you and your teenage daughter?
The Parents Television Council, founded in 1995 to highlight children’s exposure to sex, violence and profanity on television, said it was concerned that U.S. television was contributing to an atmosphere in which violence directed at women was viewed as normal.”
Yikes.
So what can you do about it?
- Know what your teens are watching.
- Be ready and available to talk with them about what they’re watching.
- Be honest with your daughter about how those programs make you feel.
- Support her in not seeing those types of shows as entertainment.
- Help her make more interesting choices for programs – and also model for her what good TV programs are by avoiding shows like CSI and SVU.
- Make sure all of your children know the difference between treating people (not just women) with respect and kindness instead of with violence.
What shows do you like to watch with your teenage daughters? What shows are you okay with her watching?
Violence against women, female teens, surges on TV [Reuters]
Welcome back to Just Parenting Advice. If you haven't already, make sure you sign up for weekly updates using the form on the right.
