Letters from the Switched on "SEX TV" issue

Dear Switched-on staff,

I have always been able to watch whatever I wanted on TV, but recently my parents have gotten word of inappropriate content on certain shows so now I can not watch my favorite shows. It is completely unfair. I do not watch those shows for the make-outs or the sexual content, that is just a small part of the show and it not like it happens in every episode. I wish that my parents would get that because I really do not want to miss this upcoming season. Is there any way to convince may parents that the show is fine?

-Jen

Dear Jen,

It sounds like your parents are doing what they feel is best for you, but you obviously do not see it that way. A good way to solve any disagreement is to look at both sides. If you honestly feel that the show you are watching is perfectly appropriate then why not have your parents actually watch a couple of episodes and let then judge for themselves. You could also try to see there point of view, they are adults who are not maybe as in touch with pop culture and go by what they hear or read from parental groups warning them that their child is exposed to sex. I think that is enough information to send any parent into panic mode.

-Switched-On

Dear switched on,

I want to be treated as the 17 year old that I am. I am sick of my parents treating me as if I am 10 years old, and trying to protect me from the TV. They have installed a parent block that only allows me to watch the Disney Channel and other little kid networks. They have to learn that most teenagers really don't enjoy watching Hannah Montana. I want to watch teen dramas, crime shows, and the other really cool shows that all my friends talk about. I am tried of being out of the loop and being forever a little kid to my parents.
The restrictions on the TV are just the tip of the iceberg, they treat me like a kid for things that normal teenagers should be able to do. Help!

-Jeff

Dear Jeff,

Your situation seems to be more about your parents not seeing you as a young adult than it has to do with watching something besides the Disney Channel. Maybe the best way to watch more mature programming and do things you feel a teenager should be able to do is to show your parents how much you have really matured. Sometimes it is hard for parents to see their children as something besides the little tot they raised so try not to be too hard on them. If you want them to treat you like the mature teen you are then talk to them, act more mature, and show them just how much you have actually grown.

-Switched-On

Dear Switched-On,

I think there is way too much sex used in advertising, some of it aimed especially at teens, and it is starting to become all anyone talks about. I have to admit that sometimes all that sex in magazines, TV shows, and online makes me really uncomfortable. I really can not be included in conversations about TV shows because I get too uncomfortable watching some of them. I just wish that sex would not be everywhere because it makes me feel like an outsider.

-Sherry

Dear Sherry,

It is perfectly normal for everyone to feel like they are not ready to talk or deal with sex. New things always make people nervous or uncomfortable, and with maturity, these things do not seem so scary. At times it can feel like sex is everywhere, but if you talk to your friends about avoiding that topic when you are around then maybe it will nit be so bad. Eventually this fascination with sex passes and becomes old news so do not worry about sex being the only thing teens talk about.

-Switched-On