I was checking out the nominees for the Teen Choice Awards and realized that I’m either completely out of touch with reality, or I don’t know what a teen is anymore.
When I think of music, television and movies that teens would vote on as their most favorite, I’m thinking of PG or PG-13 appropriate material. Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Jump5, Wonderful World of Disney.
But “Sex in the City?”

Seriously, that’s one of the movies on the ballot for best Chick Flick, along with a couple of PG-13 formula flicks. Call me old-fashioned, but I don’t know how an R-rated movie made it onto a teen favorite ballot, considering that in order to see an R-rated movie you have to be 18, which I think is barely considered a teen.
But I guess R-rated movies are the rage, because “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” is nominated as favorite comedy. That film is promoted by the studio as a “raunchy, honest look at one guy’s quest to grow up and get over the heartbreak of being dumped.”
Right. This is the stuff we want teens seeing? No wonder their views of sex and love are so screwed up.
And the music? Thankfully, the Jonas Brothers are nominated for Best Single, with “When You Look Me In The Eyes,” a benign love song. Let’s hope it beats out the trashy “4 Minutes” sex song by Madonna and Justin Timberlake, which is also nominated for best “Hook Up.” I hope that means musical duo and not sexual hook up. (Although you never know, do you? These days, it might mean both.)
American Idol Jordin Sparks and country sensation Taylor Swift are both nominated for Breakout Artists; Jordin has strong ties to Christian music and Taylor is a sweet, fairly safe choice for teens. That’s encouraging.
Should we be promoting sex songs, R-rated movies and TV dramas like “Desperate Housewives” to teens? What kind of effect do you think that has on teens, especially younger teens.
And do think that the growth of Christian music in mainstream outlets can help change the tide? If acts like Jonas Brothers can remain true to their spiritual roots and still relate to teens, might we see a move towards cleaner music and role models? Or are we stuck with Madonna and Britney Spears forever?
I’d love to know what you think.
The 10th Annual Teen Choice Awards air on FOX on August 4th, and will be hosted by Miley Cyrus. For a complete list of nominees, visit the Teen Choice Awards website.