It was one of those rare moments that I was home-alone and bored. I was flipping through the TV stations hoping I would find a repeat of Nanny 911 or a new episode of American Idol. As I flipped through the stations I paused on what looked like a new reality TV show.
I was horrified as I watched a teenage girl beg her dad for a brand new BMW convertible. “But Daddy…I waaaaaant it”….she pleaded. My jaw dropped. The father actually looked like he was considering it. He used the classic “we’ll see” response that normal parents use when their children want a nice pair of sneakers or expensive jeans.
It turns out that I was watching MTV’s new reality series, “My Super Sweet Sixteen”. A show devoted to following ultra-rich, spoiled teenagers as they plan their sixteenth birthday parties. Once I realized I was watching MTV I felt guilty. I wanted to change the channel but it was like a bad train wreck. I couldn’t turn away.
As the show continued the snotty little princess ended up with a birthday party that cost more than my current home followed by a brand new “beemer” that cost more than my college education. My heart sank. Is this the sort of message I will be competing with when my kids reach their teens?
As a former youth counselor, I’ve witnessed the excessiveness of the MTV generation first-hand. When I was a teenager, I was thrilled when my parents bought me a pair of $40 Guess jeans. However, thanks to the influences of ridiculous celebrities like Paris Hilton and musicians like “Puff Daddy…or P-Diddy…” (whatever he wants to be called this week) the requests and expectations of some teenagers are becoming outrageous.
I remember a recent visit with my family when I overheard my teenage foster brother begging my middle-class parents for money to buy a Rolex watch. “Please tell me you are kidding, Mike”….I laughed. Sadly, he wasn’t. He was annoyed with my sarcasm. “What’s wrong with a Rolex?” he asked. “What is your problem?” “Do you think mom and dad are made of money?” Oh my goodness, I sounded just like my parents all of the sudden.
I wish this was one of those posts where I could offer tips, suggestions and ideas, but I am the mother of two preschoolers who are still thrilled when they find a penny on the floor. Therefore, I need your help before it is too late. If you are a parent of a teenager (or pre-teen) what do you do to compete with a culture that sends the message that they are not good-enough without a little “bling-bling” (like Prada purses, Louie Vuitton watches and Gucci sunglasses)? How are you teaching frugality to the MTV generation?
Related Reading:
Competing With Reality Television