Doing Life Together

Doing Life Together

Screening Sexual Content in Magazines for Tweeners

posted by Linda Mintle

Reader Question:

I just bought a magazine targeted for my daughter’s age group but I am appalled at the articles in it. She’s only twelve and the sexual content is blatant. I really don’t want her to read this. Am I being too sensitive?

The sexual content marketed to tweeners and young adolescents in magazines is abundant, graphic and often encourages sexual activity. At a time when tweeners struggle to understand their sexual development and are undecided about sexual choices, the editors and writers of these magazines stimulate readers to act out their impulses and expose them to sexual messages prior to their emotional readiness.

For example, one magazine I picked up had an explicit article on how to French kiss—a step-by-step guide! Not something I want to teach my daughter! Another article instructed tweeners to keep secrets from their parents and seek sexual advice from friends!

As parents, we are simply doing our jobs when we screen print media and make decisions to allow or not allow it into our homes. I wish all parents were as “sensitive” as you. You need to know the messages given in popular magazines. Sit with your 12-year-old and ask if the content is helping her develop self-control or encouraging impulsivity. Help your daughter understand the culture’s obsession with sex and how it is used as a marketing tool to sell magazines. Discuss the clash of values and the biblical view of purity. Instruct her regularly on who she is in Christ – wonderfully made, created in His image, more valuable than the sparrows, etc.

Sexuality is a part of her beautiful make-up, not something to be exploited and used to make money. When it comes to magazine selection, suggest a Christian or wholesome alternative.



You Might Also Like...
Previous Posts

Autism Risk Linked to Newborn's Placenta
One in 50 children are now diagnosed with autism (CDC). Right now, there are no definitive tests to tell whether a child will develop autism, but we know that the earlier we detect autism, the better we can serve a child. So how about detection at birth? A new study by Yale researchers and UC

posted 8:06:09am May. 16, 2013 | read full post »

A Spiritual Take on Angelina Jolie's Decision to Fight Cancer Risk
So many families have been touched by cancer that just the mention of the word is scary to hear and often feels like a death sentence.  While this is not always the case and many cancers are treatable, the fear is often tied to better known risk factors and more awareness. This week, actress Angeli

posted 7:58:27am May. 15, 2013 | read full post »

Would You Do What Angelina Jolie Did?
Some would call it a brave move. Others might see it as fear based. Angelina Jolie revealed that she underwent a double mastectomy to prevent getting breast or ovarian cancer. According to the New York Times, Jolie tested genetically positive for the BRCA1 gene that greatly increases a women's ri

posted 8:59:03am May. 14, 2013 | read full post »

3 Tips to Let Go of Worry
Rachel was worried about her finances. Recently divorced, she was barely making payment on all her bills. Her hours at work had been cut, her savings was dwindling and money was tight. She was surviving, but couldn't stop worrying about the future. All she could think about was, "What if..." It was

posted 6:46:29am May. 14, 2013 | read full post »

Is Your Marriage More Than a Contract?
The way you think about marriage matters. When marriage is reduced to a set up conditions, you do this, I'll do that... and as long as we are happy, we stay together, you've missed God's design for marriage. Do you think of your marriage as a contract? Yes, marriage is a legal contract, but it

posted 8:09:11am May. 13, 2013 | read full post »

Advertisement
Comments read comments(4)
post a comment
Love Marriage Problem Specialist

posted August 23, 2012 at 2:02 am


This is the phase where many children catch the wrong path. You should be concerned up to the level that they do not choose the wrong path. Just be with them with their freedom they want.



report abuse
 

Get lover back

posted August 19, 2012 at 6:02 am


Taking care is a good thing. Just do take care your daughter and for her its good that she got a mother like. You just need to be cautious and check out with her birth chart for her better future.



report abuse
 

World famous astrologer

posted August 19, 2012 at 3:19 am


There is a perfect thing that you are taking care of your daughter and getting things for her. Just let her be what she is and let her get what she likes. Try getting to know what else can be done for her good.



report abuse
 

Pingback: Screening Sexual Content in Magazines for Tweeners | Dr. Linda Mintle

Post a Comment

By submitting these comments, I agree to the beliefnet.com terms of service, rules of conduct and privacy policy (the "agreements"). I understand and agree that any content I post is licensed to beliefnet.com and may be used by beliefnet.com in accordance with the agreements.





Report as Inappropriate

You are reporting this content because it violates the Terms of Service.

All reported content is logged for investigation.