Talking to Kids about Pop Culture stuff

[Ozy_Flame]

First it was the whole "Talk to your kids about Osama bin Laden" a couple of weeks ago and the plethora of articles for parents that resulted from his death. Now, browsing Google News recently, I come across an article about how to "talk to your kids about the Arnold Schwarzenegger infidelity." I'm sure there's more to follow.

Ok, WTF? Do kids really pay attention to things like this? I'm not a parent, but are kids asking about these sorts of things these days? And why all of a sudden is there a big media flurry of talking to your kids about mainstream things like these? I can see this whole thing being an Internet meme very soon due to the ridiculousness of having to explain everything to your kids.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

First it was the whole "Talk to your kids about Osama bin Laden" a couple of weeks ago and the plethora of articles for parents that resulted from his death. Now, browsing Google News recently, I come across an article about how to "talk to your kids about the Arnold Schwarzenegger infidelity." I'm sure there's more to follow.

Ok, WTF? Do kids really pay attention to things like this? I'm not a parent, but are kids asking about these sorts of things these days? And why all of a sudden is there a big media flurry of talking to your kids about mainstream things like these? I can see this whole thing being an Internet meme very soon due to the ridiculousness of having to explain everything to your kids.

This is the same thing that has been with conservative society for hundreds of years. It's the same as talking to your kids about Rock & Roll in the 50s, about sex and aids in the 80s, about drugs in the 90s, etc. Now we have explaining controversial memes to your kids? It's just dumb. They will find it all on their own.

Maybe just send your kids to the school of encyclopaedia dramatica and let them have at it to open their minds.

[AvsJerk]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Ok, WTF? Do kids really pay attention to things like this? I'm not a parent, but are kids asking about these sorts of things these days? And why all of a sudden is there a big media flurry of talking to your kids about mainstream things like these? I can see this whole thing being an Internet meme very soon due to the ridiculousness of having to explain everything to your kids.

I don't have any kids either, so I don't know if kids are asking questions about this kind of stuff. However, the prevalence of 24 hour news networks, facebook, twitter updates, etc. probably means that kids are much more informed of current issues than when we were kids.

It's kind of shocking when you think of how much access kids today have to EVERYTHING that is going on, from world news to hollywood gossip...and all of the graphic images that accompany both.

I can understand how it might be beneficial for parents to educate their kids about how news media influences our perceptions of the world...because they are going to be bombarded with the news stories regardless.

[photon]

If a kid can ask a question they deserve an appropriate answer I think.

But there has to be some level of interaction from the parent too, I know I don't listen to the news much anymore now that my son can listen and understand what's being said, if nothing else because it gives the impression that there's only bad things going on.

Sometimes though I'll leave it on and he'll ask questions that I can answer.

[JohnnyB]

What would be much more beneficial for parents than spending time reading articles on how to talk to their kids about pop culture issues would be spending that time actually talking to their kids about other things. Micromanagement is no way to teach a kid to cope with the world, but having strong family relationships is.

[troutman]

Lady Gaga has a new record next week. How do we explain that to kids?

[Titan]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

What would be much more beneficial for parents than spending time reading articles on how to talk to their kids about pop culture issues would be spending that time actually talking to their kids about other things. Micromanagement is no way to teach a kid to cope with the world, but having strong family relationships is.

We have all asked for help on how to do stuff that we don't know how to do. Cp is a pretty good example of that. If someone needs some pointers to talk about a difficult subject with a person of limited experience and maturity I would say that is a good thing.

These types of articles also help parents realize that maybe their kids are getting information from other sources and that it is a topic that should be discussed. For example if your grade three kid comes home and says everyone is cheering at school because someone died, you may not have realized that is going on and are now at a loss to explain it to them.

I agree talking and spending time with them is key but it never hurts to get a bit of help on how to do it in the way that is best for your family.

[Muta]

Originally Posted by troutman

Lady Gaga has a new record next week. How do we explain that to kids?

How do we explain Lady Google, er, Gaga to kids is the better question:



I get the explosiveness, but you don't need pyros to do that... just an educated love muscle.