eZine 05.11.2010

Miley’s new music video, Can’t Be Tamed, was released this past Tuesday, May 4th. The press has described it as “sexy,” “dark” and “seductive.” I would just describe it as textbook selling out.

Britney did it. Aguilera did it. Beyonc? and Lady Gaga are still doing it. It’s a simple recipe for success:

Now the young star of Hannah Montana is following the same formula.

Sexualization
Miley’s 2009 Teen Choice Awards controversial pole dance pales in comparison to this new video. She has clearly graduated from ‘questionable’ and moved on to ‘sex object.’

As a father of two girls who grew up watching Hannah Montana, this is really heartbreaking for me to see. Miley had the opportunity to be something rare today: a positive role model for young girls. Instead, she seems to have chosen to go with the flow, corrupting our young girls’ minds with false ideas about where our value comes from.

I wonder if Miley even realizes that she’s falling in suit with the American Psychological Association’s (APA’s) definition of the sexualization of girls:

Miley’s new video pulls no punches in this area. An MTV article describes her in the video as “newly sexualized now that she’s Disney free.” The video shows Miley:

• Dancing seductively, thrusting her head back in sexual moves
• Dancing intimately with male and female dancers
• Laying on the ground running her hands over herself erotically

I’m not the only one referring to her antics as sexual. MTV describes Miley as “seductively dancing in her cage” and “dancing very intimately with male and female dancers.”

CBS News describes the Hannah Montana star as “stepping even further away from her Disney image with the sexy new video.” The article goes on to describe her outfits as “revealing,” concluding that “The sexy video is a departure from Cyrus’ earlier, more wholesome videos. The costumes, chorography, bevy of backup dancers and the ‘can’t-keep-me-down’ lyrics look like something out of Britney Spears’ heyday.”

LA Times calls her latest video “too saucy for her tween audience.” It goes on to describe a scene in the video where “she appears to be straddling the leg of a female dancer who seems to be worked up about something or another. Is this any way for a recent American Idol mentor to behave?”

Fox News, in their May 5th article, Too Sexy Too Soon, agrees.

But please don’t take our word for it. Instead, I would encourage you to take a peek at the music video for yourself and see what millions of kids will be watching.

Does APA’s definition of sexualization come to mind?

Eileen L. Zurbriggen, Phd, chair of the APA task force reveals that “The consequences of the sexualization of girls in media today are very real and are likely to be a negative influence on girls’ healthy development. We have ample evidence to conclude that sexualization has negative effects in a variety of domains, including cognitive functioning, physical and mental health, and healthy sexual development.”

We heard much of the same cautioning from…

Main Point of Discussion: Although our sins can be forgiven, there are always consequences for our actions.

Discussion Starter: “Roethlisberger Officially Suspended for Six Games”

Today I want to share with you two brief articles that were recently written about the quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger. But before we get to the articles, let me share a few facts with you just in case you’re not a fan of professional football or of the Pittsburgh Steelers:

• Ben was selected in the first round of the NFL draft by the Steelers in 2004.
• Roethlisberger earned the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2004.
• Ben is a 2-time Super Bowl champion.
• In Super Bowl 43 he lead his team down the field in the closing minutes of the game and threw the game winning touchdown pass with only 32 seconds left on the clock.
• Ben recently signed a $100 million contract extension with the Steelers.

I don’t know about you, but when I read some of those stats, I think…man this guy is one heck of a football player…and he has it made.

But recently Ben has found himself in the news for all the wrong reasons.

Leader: At this point, you can read highlights from the articles. Here are the links to the articles.

-Article Concerning Accusation-

-Article Concerning Punishment-

Transition Statement:
No matter how talented he is on the field, his off-field antics have landed Big Ben in Big Trouble! Ben will now face the reality that Christians have known for 2,000 years: even though ALL sin can be forgiven…it always carries consequences with it. Let’s talk about that some more in our small groups.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

This year I have already had several chances to do my CONNECT workshop and my parenting workshop. I’ll be doing both these workshops in NJ in May, and I’ll be doing a Saturday CONNECT workshop in WV in June. Take a peek!

What: This Sunday-afternoon workshop equips youth workers, both paid and volunteer, in discipling today’s teenagers.

Where: Jackson Baptist Church
360 Bennetts Mills Rd. Jackson, NJ

When: Sunday, May 16, 2010, 3pm-5pm

Cost: Free

REGISTER: Call Jared Nicastro 732-928-0080

What: This Sunday evening workshop equips parents how to build biblical values into media-saturated kids

Details: 6-8PM, same place as above, Jackson Baptist Church, also free. Contact Jared to attend.

What: This Saturday workshop equips youth workers, both paid and volunteer, to initiate contact with today’s teenagers. (MORE)

Where:

When:

Cost:

REGISTER: Call Tracy Shingleton or Kim Hurt at 304 584 4758

Here’s a peek at my speaking/training schedule so far for the next 12 months:

May 4, 2010 (Antelope, CA)
Youth Nite, Antelope Springs Church

May 15-16, 2010 (Jackson, NJ)
Youth Rally, Preach, Parent/Youth Worker Workshop

June 5, 2010 (Lumberport, WV)
CONNECT Training Workshop, Lumberport Baptist Church

June 13, 2010 (Rancho Cordova, CA)
Parent Workshop, Sun River Church Family Zone

July 4, 2010 (Rancho Cordova, CA)
Preach, Sun River Church

July 11-16, 2010 (Hordville, NE)
Covenant Cedars Bible Camp, Summer Camp

October 2-4, 2010 (San Diego, CA)
Training Workshops, Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention

January 10-11, 2011 (Boerne, TX)
Baptist General Convention of Texas, 2011 Ministers Retreat
February 4-6, 2011 (East Troy, WI)
Timberlee, WinterXtreme

February 12, 2011 (Antelope, CA)
Parent Workshop, Antelope Springs Church

March 27, 2011 (Lititz, PA)
Preach, Parent Workshop, Middle Creek Church

	“We have Jonathan do his training seminars at our National Youth Workers Convention every year and he always does a great job. Not only is Jonathan’s presentation dynamic, his information is extremely helpful to those in attendance. In fact, that’s why we publish his books.” Tic Long, President Youth Specialties Events

	“Jonathan is an incredible communicator. He has what it takes to get tough with this generation. He is funny, committed, challenging, and he speaks with an edge.” Jim Burns, Ph.D. President, Youth Builders

	“Jonathan is a very talented speaker!.” Ken Davis Dynamic Communicator’s Workshop