Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Journalist. Mother. Bunny enthusiast. Pop culture junkie.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Yesterday's News



I miss the days when kids used to be kids.

When I was 10-years-old, I still played make-believe. I adored running around outside with my friends. Riding bikes. Playing board games on the front porch. The world seemed gigantic and the possibilities in life were endless. Life was magical.

That was 1994.

I feel like that's changed. Today, 10-year-old girls have cell phones. They act so grown up, and not in a good way. I mean, in a Miley Cyrus way. They dress like teenagers. They talk back to their parents. They get manicures. I feel like 10 is the new 15.



Many of them want to be famous. I can't tell you how many little girls I interviewed in my journalism days who boldly declared their main goal in life was to be the next Disney pop star. Oh, and all the little boy bands I did feature stories on for the newspaper. Eleven-year-old boys who couldn't name a Beatles song but desperately wanted to be a bad-ass rock star on stage.

The difference between my generation and these kids may simply be the parents. Cool young wealthy parents who want to keep up with the times. They love their kids, spoil them rotten, and by golly, if their child wants to be Miley Cyrus, then WHY NOT?

Give them a couple years of expensive dance lessons and a few years later, pay thousands of dollars to make them an instant "pop star."

And what do you get?



I know you're probably sick of it by now, but here she is in all her auto-tuned glory. Rebecca Black, a 13-year-old wanna-be pop star, who horrified the world this week with this pathetic excuse for a song.

She is the product of the Ark Music Factory, a record label which turns kids into pop stars overnight...if their parents have the cash.

Want another example?

Check out this 11-year-old girl. This video is even more creepy than Rebecca's because the little girl sings about the pitfalls of fame, before she's even attained it, in front of creepy older men jamming to her tunes.



Oh, and in this next video, you can see the root of this exploitation.



Am I the only one horrified by this record label which takes advantage of super rich little girls and their pop star dreams?! We all should be. It's destroying everything that is sacred to humanity. Childhood. Respect. Hard work.

It makes me frightened for our future. These kids, with their warped mentality on life, are going to be leading this country some day.

These kids are trapped in a world where selfishness rules and materialism is a religion.

And adults are only making it worse.

87 comments:

Kristy said...

You are SO not the only one. I have to witness this as someone who has a sister who is considerably younger. She is in the 15 year old range right now and is going through all of this "I wanna be famous" crap. Its super sad. When I was that age I was building forts in the woods. Friggin 2011.

myheartstumbles.blogspot.com

Imogen said...

What an excellent post, I couldn't agree with you more. In my childhood I did all the things that you described- make believe, running around, bike riding etc. and probably even until I was almost 13. I stayed young for a long time I think. I always think about what you described, how kids that age have makeup, iphones and their own computers. It makes me feel sad, it seems wrong. That Rebecca Black song is about the worst I have ever heard. It is just shocking that someone is able to make money and some fame out of that. The words are just stupid and it sounds like she is just talking, that is not singing or music at all.

Christopher said...

I generally don't jump on the nostalgia sort of themes because in general things are better now than in the past. I don't understand, however, kids not playing outside. I think a lot of it has to do with people suddenly being scared of child molesters when they never really were back in the day. When I was a kid I went outside and as long as I was back my dark there wasn't really any sort of fuss. I pretty much went wherever I want and as long as I didn't get in trouble there was no freaking out. Because everyone's so worried about their kids getting molested nowadays the kids have to stay inside and don't get that same social experience you get from running around the neighborhood.

When you're stuck inside all you can really do is watch tv and dream about doing something more interesting than sitting on the couch, it's only natural.

So yea, the reason kids are crazy and fat is because their parents are overprotecting them from child molesters. Which sounds... not right to me, ah well, I should be in bed.

✗✗ said...

Oh man you are so right!! The videos of these kids are ridiculous and sad. I wish kids could still be kids. Parents should want more for their children. Poor things. However, I do love that you put a picture of the girls from "Now and Then". What a great movie! Great post!!

Josie said...

I totally hear you, doll. Ten-year-olds these days completely freak me out... I was nannying last summer and heard several discussing Gossip Girl and their cell phone upgrades.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Fati said...

GREAT post. so much respect to you for writing about this.

Vix said...

Childhood seems to be so short these days.
We have to question the role of the media for normalising kids having mobile phones, beauty treatments and the pointless pursuit of fame. xxx

Once Upon A Time... said...

these videos are so stupid...I feel pity for them..there's no talent, just money thrown away...

Great post. I totally agree with you. Parents are to be blamed.

jos xx

Passion for fashion said...

Great post!!!!!!!!!

a woman's right to shoes said...

What an excellent post, so true! Things are so different now from what it was when we were ten. I'm wondering what it would be like in 20 years from now.

Sarah said...

It's so disheartening when you see kids who are trying to grow up too fast and who only want to be famous. The music these kids produce is awful too!
x

julia louise said...

also also miss being a kid, sometimes :/<3

xo
http://julia-louise.blogspot.com

Viv said...

you bring up very good points in this post.. i definitely agree with it hah.. they just get younger and younger when they start wanting these things




myblissisthisway.blogspot.com

Pratishtha Durga said...

I have had teh same feelings about prematurely grown up kids. but really, parents are to blame for this phenomenon. When you have high fashion brands for kids, there is something wrong with the world. And this superstar overnight idea seems terrible.

Shannon said...

Oh God - I totally agree. It's ridiculous. You don't even have to be talented to be a "pop star". And it's a sad reality, that most famous youngsters don't grow up all that well. Sigh.

Couture Carrie said...

Very well-written darling, and all too true!
My 5 year old niece just got her ears pierced. My mom made me wait until I was 13!

xoxox,
cC

Twenty.Something said...

I'm actually shocked! I cannot get over those video... they're horrifying! I totally agree with you.
I loved being a kid, and I wish kids felt the same way these days.

Tanvi said...

OMG! I always think that too! Children now have NO childhood ... they are so busy with their gadgets that they have no sense of what children actually did! Well i wonder if they still do play outside at all? Mehhh!

Tanvi
from © tanvii.com

JoaNNa said...

i totally agree of what you have written in this post! the new generation is just so different, in a bad way and it's such an unfortunate thing :(
just take the example of Disney shows/stars.Lizzie Mcguire (Hilary Duff) was zillion times better than that whatever-tana.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I'm scared to have a daughter.

StyleIDnet said...

Thanks for posting about this ... I think that many of us feel the same way you do but rarely ever this is a serious subject of conversation because to many this is "great" that kids are "growing and developing" so fast.
Its really sad .... and scary. I appreciate my childhood years so much and feel sorry for those that won't have that :(

http://styleidnet.blogspot.com/
http://www.filomenascloset.com/

daisychain said...

Your so not alone.

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

kids are growing up WAY too fast... it's sad to see really. they barely have a childhood- at least not the way we had it, or those before us.

ps- love Now and Then :)

mirjam schuurkamp said...

Love the post
so cool that you right about this

i have a new outfit of the day!
come nd take a look

www.mirfashion.blogspot.com
everyday a new post.

Xo model from holland

mirjam schuurkamp said...

Love the post
so cool that you right about this

i have a new outfit of the day!
come nd take a look

www.mirfashion.blogspot.com
everyday a new post.

Xo model from holland

Bronzed Humanity said...

Way creepy! And i agree with you 100% ...most should know only 2% make it into the industry...thats nothing...its pure luck!
xx

Hot Pink Day

Sherin said...

This is awful!!! I hate how kids today act so much older than they are. It's like they get no time to be kids anymore.
And there are such bad role models promoting growing up fast!! And a lot of young pop stars aren't even talented!!
I got about 40 secs into that Friday song before my ears started to bleed!

Sierra said...

very well said - i too am frightened for our younger generation's future. i started a YouTube channel for one of my freelance jobs and I've been amazed about how many girls are just obsessed with fashion and makeup and popularity. i mean - liking fashion and materialism is one thing, but don't let it take over your life. it's quite scary.

Tights Lover said...

Oh, I can SO sympathize with Ms. Black. Every morning when I'm leaving for work (quite late, I may add) I always have trouble making my mind up over sittin' in the front seat or kickin' in the back seat. Then...of course...I remember I have to drive. Oh well.

Of course, I suppose she (or Ark) is doing something right...she has gone viral after all...and what else is there, really?

I completely agree with your post. I suppose I blame my generation. We grew up with parents who were extra hard on us because they grew up during the cold war and in the aftermath of two world wars and the great depression. Of course, we swore that we'd let our kids do anything they wanted...and our parents laughed. Only it turns out we were (really) serious.

By 'we' I don't mean me of course. I don't have kids because, frankly, they horrify me for all the reasons stated in your post. I mean, even if you tried to be strict with kids now, you can't...not with all of their friends running amok.

Wait...did I just say 'running amok'? I've clearly been rambling way too long now. Great post though!

Anonymous said...

So great post!

Jenn @ Peas and Crayons said...

i'm going to barf. make it stop. this is worse than Ke$ha

vom. it.

though i will belt out keshas songs while drinking cocktails. i still hate her though!

xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons

JUST ME said...

All those Disney pop stars turn out incredibly fucked up...we need to teach our daughters that unless they want to be completely fucked up by 17...they should probably aspire to other things...

Morgan//Nuts and Bows said...

I totally agree! I actually feel bad for kids nowadays that they have to or feel like they have to grow up so quickly!

Meet Virginia Design

Lee Oliveira said...

Well said..
My niece is 5 and she was talking about tattoo..
I almost had a heart attack
Lee x

oystergirl said...

ahhh sooo true. What happened to the awkward kid stage?

xo

The October Issue said...

worst song ever!The blonde is better than Rebecca.

Natassja said...

SO disturbing...but even more disturbing...where are these kids' parents?! Sadly, they're probably the ones footing the bill :(

Nikosmommy said...

Rebecca Black is AWFUL! I saw her video after following a 'trending' link on Twitter. At first i wasn't sure if it was a joke or legit?! There are so many people out there with real talent that are missing the boat... Its unfortunate!

David Macaulay said...

great post Jennifer, I know. My daughter's six going on 16. Miley has a lot to answer for

Unknown said...

UGH!
You totally know right haha..
I want to go back to grade 7 now haha..

Cute blog!!

Great photos..

I finally got to hear that Friday song..

XX
JAY

check out my blog to!!..

[[ http://MODEMUSE.com ]]

The Frisky Virgin said...

THANK YOU! This increasingly alarming trend has been bothering me for so long.

I am so grateful to have been a kid. What kids today fail to realize is that childhood is fleeting and adulthood is forever. They have all of their lives to be adults.

It's a alarming how many tweens and teens try to look and act like they are in their 30s.

It's very, very sad. I wish I could tell them all just how much they will one day miss the childhood they never knew.

Señorita said...

One of the issues is the media. It keeps telling kids who they should strive to be and what is considered 'successful' and popular paths to take in life.

http://ladyonaroof.blogspot.com/

MariahSmile said...

It's super sad that they can pay their way to "fame", they are just being taught that money buys everything and hard work means nothing! It also is very representative of how music is nowadays - not good.

P.S. LOVE that movie!

Anonymous said...

Great post. Makes you sad about kids growing up too fast.

Courtney Erin said...

Oh my god those videos are creepy and terrible and all kinds of weird. Girls already have it rough enough...childhood for them is dramatically shrinking and it's just really sad...

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

Anna Lea Isabelle said...

great post! I agree in everything you write. Things are definitly not at they where in the 90's. Time changes, but this is just horrible..

Unknown said...

wow so scary!

Missy
Enter my Exclusive Mint Velvet £50 giveaway!
http://thefashionfusion.blogspot.com

Fashion Cappuccino said...

Jennifer, this post summarizes my fears about our future and how girls are growing up right now. I think about this issue everyday because when I watch the news, it's really horrifies me to think 'Wait a minute, she's 11?". Girls should be encouraged to get an education first and be smart about their decisions in life. I'm sorry that I can't even watch that music video of Rebecca Black..I just can't. It's really dangerous there are really bad role models for girls right now (more than ever!) on TV and internet. It's dangerous for girls to think that fame and money will solve all their problems. Kids should be kids but I guess it's not the case anymore in this day and age.

Pratishtha Durga said...

Jenn, I just dropped in to tell you how hard i laughed after reading your comment on the Halle Berry post of "Tight Lover".

Selma @ Crazy Little World Of Mine said...

Great post! And unfortunately so true.

Phil said...

Love the post
so cool that you right about this,
Congratulations on your choice:)

Alexa said...

You are not the only one! Those videos creep me out too.. Great post!

As for my scarf, you're right.. things do happen for a reason! Now I have an excuse to buy a new one!

http://cashmereandcandy.blogspot.com

Sisters and Sisters said...

you are soooooooooooooooo right about those childeren!!
I see 12 years old kids with Blackberry and make up!
In my little years i ony played!

XoXo

Unknown said...

There should definitely be more regulation concerning this area of the music business.
~Giselle
http://www.machinewashwarm.blogspot.com

Harija said...

I agree with this post... I am 19 and I go to the park with my friends but my neighbourhood kids are only 11 and they say they are all too old for the park!
(WHAT's THE WORLD COMING TO?)
Happy St. Patrick's Day!
My Lyfe ; My Story

Heart Charlie said...

Oh I loved that movie Now and Then!!! I miss the old days as well :)

Lucie - A Taste Of Vogue said...

I couldnt agree more. I have pictures of me at 11 and I was still such a child. I didnt know what fashion was until I was 14, and didnt wear makeup until I was about 15. My cousins are 8 and 9 and carry handbags and mobile phones around with them. Honestly, I dread to think what itll be like like by the time I get my pension!

x

Vanilla said...

I totally agree the world is a very diffrent place since I was young

Love, Vanilla

Thelma Frayne said...

Oh my God I totally agree- was just talking about this today, weird!

Anonymous said...

Am I wrong to like that song?

Renee said...

So true, I am so scared what will change in the next years to come.

Melissa: Write it in Lipstick said...

OMG this is crazy, those kids are too little and the parents should know better.


Write it in Lipstick

anh said...

great post and i totally agree with you...

MY REPUBLIC OF FASHION said...

I have yet to hear that song. Going to listen to it right now. I think it is so sad how 'mature' ten year olds are. I miss being an inncoent 10 year old, also. This is a fantastic post. Great job! :)SArahD x

DIANA said...

oh my! this was scary...none of those kids can sing????

Venus Loves Virgo said...

Again, we are are the same wave length!! Were we separated at birth??? I was just having this conversation with someone and it's funny I'm a child of the 80's and feel this even more, things were TOTALLY different for us girls. I love this post. Sell this story to a newspaper or something, you have mad writing skills!@ OXXO

Jen said...

SO true! It's so sad.

-J

The Fab Mommy Diary

A Certain Vintage said...

eek...i hadn't heard of rebecca black, that's so bizarre. and the photo of the little girls in makeup is just too too surreal. That's a long life to wear makeup and fake eyelashes when you start that young :(

Marissa said...

I totally agree. Every time I see 12 year olds walking around the mall dressed like 25 year olds I want to scream at them to quite trying to grow up so fast! I love that you included a picture from Now & Then- one of my favorite movies growing up! xoxo Marissa

Beautycountry said...

I couldn't agree with you more. It's so sad...

Unknown said...

what a excellent post!! really the videos of those kids are a bit ridiculous. It is quite disheartening to see little kids trying to be grown up so so fast. I am eighteen now and i just find this so sad, you only get to be a kid for such a short time you don't really appreciate it until you are older.

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Vilte said...

As a teenage girl I have to say its not all of the kids faults, its the way they've been raised up. Though I really don't think ten year olds should be wearing make up but having a dream about becoming a pop star its that bad, cause well have dreams, right?

Raj said...

Ahh this is exactly the way the world is headed at the moment!
I want to scream in frustration at all my nieces and nephews who act so much older than they're age, I wish kids would just enjoy being kids because being a grown up is no fun

Stephanie said...

This breaks my heart. It also breaks my heart to know that these little girls are the target of millions (!) of people saying how much they suck. What pre-teen is tough enough to withstand such an onslaught of hate? I wish that those parents realized what they were doing to their kids.

Lu Zuim said...

this is an excelllent post! you're not the only one.. i tottaly agree with you!
(i really like your blog!)

Heather Taylor said...

EXACTLY.
Really, I can't say it any better than this post. The 11 year old's video is creepy beyond all words.

Stephanie said...

This honestly breaks my heart. I can't imagine what this little girl is going through right now. Shame on her parents for not thinking this through, and shame on Ark Music Factory for actually taking money for this trite nonsense. Factory indeed.

Stephanie said...

Yes. I commented again. Because I can't get over it. (And also because I apparently forget what i did a few days ago. Which is embarrassing. But on the upside, your post inspired my post tonight.)

Maggie said...

I had never even heard of this whole Ark Music Factory business until I first read about Rebecca Black's story and then linked to your blog off Stephanie's blog.

I have to say... Wow. Terrifying. I don't even know what to think. It's like that show Toddlers and Tiaras on TLC, or Party Mamas on Slice. There doesn't seem to be a limit to what parents will do/allow their children to do.

Anika http://www.byanika.com said...

Thank you so much for adressing this. I work as a councellor with teens and I see the hurt it causes in them to be viewed and view them selves as sex symbols etc.

I love your blog and am happily following you :)

xx Anika
http://byanika.com
@AnikaByAnika

Anonymous said...

Ekkkk I did not know any of this! Haha apparently I live under a rock (a large one)! That is terrible! I couldn't agree with you more!

xoxo
J

www.talkprettytome.blogspot.com

Movies on my Mind said...

That song by Rebecca Black has grown on me. I find myself singing it.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for taking the words right out my mouth! When I was 10 I was swimming in the pool, building forts with chairs and sheets & playing house - we used our imagination! It will be sad for these kids when they reach their 20s or 30s and realize they can't support the lifestyle they have become accustomed to.

Anonymous said...

You're not from Campbelltown unless you show us your tn's.

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Unknown said...

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