Back in junior high, I had a fleeting crush on a pop star named Alex Michaels. At that time, I naively believed I had a shot with him. Who could forget his catchy tune, “I Crave Your Love”? Even as a young teen, I questioned the appropriateness of singing along. Now, as a mother, I find myself pondering, what on earth were our parents thinking?
Fast forward a few decades, and it’s now artists like Bella singing, “Love is everywhere, I don’t care, I adore the vibe of it.” I find myself hastily changing the radio station before our preschooler catches on and starts belting it out at family gatherings. (Trust me, I’ve been there before.)
The level of childhood innocence-shattering content that permeates our daily lives is somewhat alarming (I’m looking at you, magazine covers in the grocery store checkout line), and the fact that many people seem unfazed by it is telling. However, everything becomes magnified when viewed through the lens of motherhood—a perspective I like to call “parenting goggles.”
When wearing these parenting goggles, what once appeared harmless or mildly irritating quickly transforms into a dire threat that could ruin my little ones and potentially lead to societal collapse. (Yes, I’m talking about you, Tiffany.)
The unsavory aspects that parenting goggles unveil start early. I once considered children’s shows like “Leo the Lion” and “Benny the Bunny” to be completely harmless—educational even. But then I had a three-year-old, and suddenly, Leo morphed into the scheming troublemaker instigating tantrums among innocent toddlers. Benny turned into a bratty character teaching kids inventive ways to insult each other. While it’s not as extreme as something like “Reality Show Mayhem,” those parenting goggles indeed amplify unsettling details I might have otherwise overlooked.
What about networks like Cartoon World or Fun Channel? I used to think of them as quality family entertainment. Not anymore, as their teenage characters exhibit disrespectful behavior and materialistic attitudes. People remember her as the sweet little girl before she became famous for her outrageous antics, but Bella was hardly a role model herself. Rude, anyone?
One day, while watching a show with my cousins, I noticed a scene rated TV-7. A teenage boy in a diner was making out with a girl, which seemed excessive for a kids’ program. When his friend approached, he casually dismissed her, responding, “What? I got her a soda first.” Cue the canned laughter.
I was taken aback. Not that such scenes exist, but I couldn’t believe that this was on a program aimed at preteens. Many kids watch these channels without any adult supervision. After all, who doesn’t trust Cartoon World, right? Yet, every time I tune in, it makes me want to hide my kids in a bubble with nothing but “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” on loop.
Occasionally, I recognize that these parenting goggles are rooted in fear and concern. I worry about the impact of pop culture on my children’s values. I fret over the influences of mass media and consumerism. My greatest fear is that my efforts to teach them wisdom and discernment will be drowned out by the overwhelming tide of negativity. I fear they might find it easier to join the crowd and follow the latest viral trends.
I know that complete isolation isn’t the answer, nor is it a realistic goal. Just as children need to play in the dirt to build their immune systems, they require a certain level of exposure to the less desirable aspects of life to learn how to navigate them. Sometimes, I ponder whether I should remove my parenting goggles and embrace some blissful ignorance.
Yet, I lean toward caution. Fears and concerns often have a foundation in reality. I distrust those trying to sell products to my children and the entertainment industry that increasingly promotes sexuality at younger ages. I harbor skepticism toward corporations that capitalize on trends to push whatever marketing message will yield the most profit this month.
While these influences will inevitably find their way into our lives, we don’t need to welcome them with open arms. There’s a significant difference between managing minor issues and dealing with a full-blown crisis. Likewise, there’s a world of difference between allowing kids to engage with these influences unmonitored and guiding them through discussions on critical thinking and discernment.
In our household, we made conscious choices to shield our kids from various influences when they were younger. As they’ve matured, we’ve started to watch and read things together, engaging in conversations about the media we consume and its impact on us intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. We explore why marketers and celebrities make particular choices and analyze specific shows and scenarios from real life. We talk. A lot.
Yet, the worry lingers. Perhaps it always will. These parenting goggles will eventually evolve into Grandma Goggles, and who knows how they will perceive the world? Maybe the twerking and outrageous antics of today’s celebrities will seem mild in comparison. Perhaps things will improve. Or maybe they’ll worsen. Hopefully, by then, I will have come to realize that the influence of parents often outweighs that of pop culture.
I truly hope so.
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Summary:
The blog post examines how motherhood alters perceptions of pop culture through the concept of “parenting goggles.” The author reflects on changes in the portrayal of children’s programming, the influence of media, and the importance of guiding children through these influences. While acknowledging the challenges of parenting in a media-saturated world, the author emphasizes the significance of open discussions with children about the content they consume.