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Simply put, children learn what they live and see. And far too many children spend too much time in front of the television. For the most part, our kids are not watching Sesame Street, instead it seems that music videos are the entertainment of choice for little renegades with remote controls.
The almost bare booty shakin', tooth grill blingin,' pimp/thug glorifying bombardment, usually found on display in hip-hop videos, is having a direct negative impact on our children according to a recent study 'The Rap on Rap' conducted by the Parents Television Council at the request of the Enough is Enough Campaign.
And according to this study, BET is the worst culprit. ...
Some highlights:
Relative to the December study period, sex constituted the majority of adult content in the analyzed videos (45%), followed by explicit language (29%), violence (13%), drugs use/sales (9%), and other illegal activity (3%). Although March data revealed higher quantities of content, the percentages reflected similar findings (42%, 37%, 10%, 9% and 2% respectively).
Out of the three shows examined in December, Rap City featured the highest levels of sex (31.6 instances per hour), explicit language (25.3 instances per hour),and violence (11.7 instances per hour); but MTV's Sucker Free on MTV contained the highest levels of drug use/sales (10 instances per hour) and other illegal activity (2.4 instances per hour). Similar results were found in March.
That's a lot of guns, sex and drugs. But how many kids are watching? Industry Ears - A Call to Consciousness, co-founded by Paul Porter, a fed up, former BET programmer, provides that information:
During the December study period, average ratings for each program were asfollows:
106 & Park
62,600 2-11-year-olds
111,700 12-17-year-olds
Rap City
45,400 2-11
88,200 12-17
Sucker Free
26,600 2-11
68,400 12-17
During the March study period, average ratings for each program were asfollows:
106 & Park
37,200 2-11
78,300 12-17
Rap City
31,800 2-11
74,600 12-17
Sucker Free
7,700 2-11
47,300 12-17
How do you think these hundreds of thousands of young minds and hearts are being shaped by watching all of this? Black boys and girls grow up believing that "thug life" is normal and something to aspire to. Kids of other races watch these videos and learn "that's just how black people are."
I believe that we as adults are shaped by media images as well, but at least we have life experiences to know the difference between what's real, what's possible and the crap that the music video industry serves up disproportionately.
There is a place for "realistic portrayals" of all aspects of life. But could we not serve it up to kids just yet? And could we balance out the glorification of crime and lasciviousness with some positive images?
Comments: (101)
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By: nick on 7/16/2008 6:04AM
In the late 80's, eveything was gansta...it's 2008 you mean to tell me that image is still in?
Hell why not bring back the Jerry-curl?
C'mon fellas and ladies, let it go the thug image is played. Fellas, pull your pants up and dress like men instead of a prison hoe, SOME of our ladies please fix the negative attitudes and demand respect for yourselves instead of letting these fools treat you like a dog. Set an example for our youth, these kids only act out what they see and hear, it's not cute for them to hear us talk and swear like idiots.
They need to see US in a positive manner, not the image BET & MTV are getting filthy rich from.
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By: OL on 7/13/2008 10:18PM
I'll tell you what. I don't know about your kids, but mine is so busy watching Hanna Montana, Josh and Cody, and Raven that she hardly even notices MTV and BET unless her older cousin is watching it. She doesn't emulate any of the foolishness on there because we (her parents) hold her to a higher standard. We shouldn't allow our children to park themselves in front of the TV all day and not pay attention to what they are watching. And even if they do watch these programs, teach them that it is NOT the way you should be trying to live your life. Most of the "artists" aren't doing as well as they portray themselves to be. And yes, I AM BLACK!!
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By: sxythic1 on 7/13/2008 11:44PM
Parents need to cut the tv off and spend more time with their kids. Cut off the games and go outside and play... Take the kids on family outings... There were things going on when I was a child, but my parents controlled certain things....
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By: G Kafua on 7/13/2008 11:58PM
In the early days of television, when we were called negroes, we were portrayed as basic clowns and "Steppin Fetchet" types. The Amos and Andy, Lightning etc. days are gone. These actors and actresses paved the way for us to do better, they took whatever roles they could get just trying to get into films. After them, when we were now black, we were generally shown in films as hustlers, pimps and prostitutes. Yes, parents should monitor what their children watch, but don't we have a right to expect that those who now show the videos that glorify sex, drugs, fast money and bling should have some pride in what not just black children and youth see but what any child should be subjected to watch.
Money has become the "god" of too many sponsors, producers and others in the media. I have watched children in many of our schools who still do not speak or write well but they can quote every word of raunchy, low-life lyrics in a rap song. We became angry when Bill Cosby challenged black parents to do their job and raise their children. The biggest problem that I see with many of our black parents is that too many of them are allowing children to make parent decisions. Many parents allow their children to go to school wearing hairstyles that are too old for girls, and allow make-up on girls in 6th, 7th and 8th grade. Boys are wearing pants that are hanging below their behinds and 2 sizes too big imitating the hip-hop rappers. In all fairness this is not just in black areas but in other ethnic groups as well. It makes me sick to see what is happening to our youth in the name of profit, but at the expense of our most valuable resource, which is our children. I hsve invested many dollars from a working woman's salary of not over $35,000.00 per year to provide cultural alternatives for young people as well as positive options for them. I challenge not just well known celebrities to get involved to do the same but every peson who cares about our future generations can and should do something to redirect our children and provide better programs so that hopefully they will make better choices. We have a serious problem in America when it comes to morals and values. We talk the talk but how about walking the walk and being better parents and better role-models so that we can have a better chance to have better children.
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By: Kauket Ka Mere on 7/13/2008 11:54PM
What is sad is who own M.T.V and BET.no matter what black person do if it positive they want show it.ask your white friend that what her people do to get rating to make money. I dont give a f---what white people think. Black men and women take care your children if you stop your children from watching M.T.V and BET it would go off the air and would not have rating. We as a people need to stop talking about it and be about it.
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By: Stephan on 7/14/2008 6:24AM
I understand, but I think the circle of blame needs to stop going around. "Its the parents", "Its the media", or "Its the teachers" needs to stop. We are a community, so it is everyone. Back in the day if you had a problem the whole community would help, it was truly a village raising a child. We need to get back to that. There is nothing wrong with realistic conversations about sex, violence,dugs, etc with our children. However, these videos do exploit these situations and make sex one of the ugliest things instead of one of the most beautiful things as it should be; however, I was boycotting BET a long time ago.
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By: Caine on 7/14/2008 7:09AM
I think parents should watch these programs with children and explain to them why things are wrong. When i was young my father was exaggerratedly over protective!! I wasnt allowed to watch anything that wasnt rated g. All that did was made it amazing to me when i finally saw and heard the things he tried 2 protect me from. I saw my 1st prono with my babysitter's daughter and had sex 4 the 1st time with her when i was 9 years old. Ofcourse i didnt really know what i was doing but we didnt understand the risks and she ended up pregnate when she turned 11. Sheltering children is not always the best answer. Rapers talk about killing and police officers murder innocent people everyday and get glorified 4 doing so. Hearing a raper tell a fictional tale of murder isn't half as harmful 2 a child as his father not coming home because a police officer shot and killed him, or having female relatives touched innappropriately infront of them after they pulled over the car and decided 2 abuse their power. Tv and music will never affect the youth as much as reality
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By: Sandy on 7/14/2008 7:44AM
Finally somebody is saying something about the things being viewed on tv. TV nows promote just about as much sex as a porno movie would. It is outrageous and utterly disgusting. Yes this is where the children are learning what they learn it is being taught on tv. All these reality shows with the college students makes me sick. They promote sex, lesbians, and gays. No I'm not judging but that don't need to be on tv. And we're wondering what's wrong with the new generation? And I don't agree with the idea of morals being taught at home. I don't allow no video watching in my home but who can be around to see what one is doing all the time, or who says they are not viewing it somewhere else? That Flavor Flav show and that woman with them bubble eyes needs to be taken off. Now that type of mess reallys promotes sex and it promotes in a way that says it's ok for multiple partners. I agree ENOUGH IS ENOUGH band all that mess.
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By: gloria on 7/14/2008 8:05AM
Everybody must remember it takes a village to raise a child
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By: Damond James on 7/14/2008 8:19AM
Finally, Finally, Finally. My thoughts are finally received. I have been saying this for about four years now. These dag-on Networks only care about one thing RATINGs....and the same thing goes for your local Hip-hop and R&B radio stations. Then last but not least the ARTISTS....they think our kids "Aint watchin" Oh, but they so are....
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