What arms?
Posted on 08/13/2006 7:05:24 PM PDT by at bay
Sex and the ciggie
If your teens watch "Sex and the City," the sex isn't the only thing you have to worry about. Virtually every teen girl interviewed as part of a new Health Department report on smoking said the show influenced their deadly habit.
"Whenever I think of how to smoke, it's the way Sarah Jessica Parker exhales, and I'm like obsessed," one 10th-grader said. "I love her, and the way she exhales is very memorable. She kind of ... elongates her neck and exhales into the air."
About 11% of teenagers smoke, according to the Health Department. The highest rates, about 35%, are among white girls.
Researchers ventured into a private high school and asked more than 30 middle and high school girls between the ages of 13 and 18 about smoking.
"Because smoking is a decision-making process at that age, we thought it would be interesting and important to find out how decisions get made," said Elizabeth Kilgore, a research scientist at the Health Department. "This does not represent all teenaged girls, but it's one more piece of the puzzle."
Some of the girls said they smoke because they think it makes them look sophisticated, while others say it helps them deal with stress. Some are afraid to stop because they think they will gain weight.
Kilgore said researchers were surprised to see how many girls view smoking as an accessory of sorts.
"It just goes with everything, you know, your perfectly polished hands," said an 11th-grader who smokes.
On the other hand, some of the girls said there is peer pressure to stay away from smoking.
One of the things all the girls - smokers and nonsmokers alike - agreed on was that they don't want to be preached to by adults about the issue.
"It's better for it to come from other kids," said a ninth-grader who doesn't smoke. "You don't want stupid videos about like peer pressure and stuff. You just need something that's not fake."
"let the rest of us live our lives."
yeah, but apart from you blowing smoke (seeking to divert attention from the issue of the thread onto something or someone else) what about these young girls?
"When you smoke, guys think you stink."
"Getting too much attention from guys? Just light up."
"Cigarettes make your teeth match your summer tan."
Since teens have no interest in good health or future cancer risk as weighed against the coolness factor, you've got to go after the vanity aspects. ;)
What arms?
I hope they don't see "Weeds" on Showtime.
"The bigger questions should be why are girls this age watching these type programs and, even moreso, why are these busybodies asking them about it to begin with?"
I cannot believe some of the stuff that goes on on that show...teaching teens about smoking is the LEAST of my concerns! Some of the episodes that you can get on DVD are borderline soft-core porn. And I'm not just talking 'Fashion Porn,' LOL!
However, you know I'm on board that these shows were made for ADULTS not for pre/teens and it's up to parents to monitor their own kids concerning sex, fashion, drugs, smokes and rock-n-roll; not the rest of us.
I have never seen the program, so will accept that which others relate about it. But I agree with you. As parents it is OUR responsibility to monitor our children.
My 8yo's favorite channel is Animal Planet.....but there are even shows on there I will only permit her to watch if either my husband or I are watching with her.
I started smoking at age 14 when I saw Dustin Hoffman in The Graduate.
I don't remember why, but I think it was because it made him look introspective and dark.
Oooh, good one.
"My 8yo's favorite channel is Animal Planet.....but there are even shows on there I will only permit her to watch if either my husband or I are watching with her."
You can come babysit ME when there are shows on about alligators or about abused animals. I can't stomach some of that stuff.
I barely made it through "Eight Below." DH was laughing at me because I was crying and fast-forwarding through the movie because I couldn't stand the thought of those dogs being chained in the snow and left behind.
He said, "Calm down! I'm pretty sure they survive or there wouldn't be a reason for the movie."
For some reason, that never occured to me, LOL!
Those come later. Cigs are a gateway drug ya know.
Besides it's probably easier for them to get cigs than to get laid or raid the parent's liquor cabinet.
;-^)
Believe me, neither can I. The Animal Cop shows absolutelyu kill me, they're all about the SPCA or LE animal control officers dealing with abused animals (mostly dogs) - more times than not I just turn them off. If at nearly 46 I can't handle it, I don't meed my 8yo watching that chit.
I understood the appeal because boys always think they're so "mature and dangerous" as teens which is a BIG reason why they're the WORST drivers on the road, aside from Soccer Moms in Mini-Vans. *Rolleyes* In case you're wondering, they didn't get their wish...at least not in MY house. :)
I still can't shake the picture of this beautiful German Shepherd covered with fat ticks that I saw on one of those Animal Cop shows you were talking about. Gawd! It's bad enough having to pull a few ticks off of my dogs (and me) each week. I can't imagine being neglected to the point where you're just basically tick food. :(
And I thought raising boys was hard? I now have a six year old Basset Hound who thinks he's a teen boy. LOL!
WOW! You don't get out much, do you?
Have you ever seen a crack addict, meth addict, heroine addict, an alcholic? I guess not if you think think smoking is the most blah blah blah.
I have never heard of anyone beating on their wife and kids, or robbing a person or business, or killing someone because they smoke a cigarette. Gimme a break.
Funny thing is tho', find a reformed meth/crack/heroin/alcohol user and you'll most likely find a person still smoking. They all say smoking is the hardest addiction for them to quit. And it kills and kills and kills.
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