The New Intimacy

Skins

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Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
I have been seeing previews for MTV's new show, Skins, for quite some time now, and have actually been quite appalled at it. It seems to me like they are glorifying underage drinking, drugs, and sex. I feel like it is almost this generation's version of Undressed, only worse because, well, it's this generation.

Here is the summary of the show off of MTV's site:

"Skins is a wild ride through the lives of a group of high school friends stumbling through the mine field of adolescence... and stepping on most of the mines as they go.

....

Be it sex, drugs, the breadth of friendships or the depth of heartbreaks, Skins is an emotional mosh-pit that slams through the insanity of teenage years. They'll crush hearts and burn brain cells, while fearlessly confronting every obstacle head on...or slightly off. "


I feel like this is NOT something that should be aired for teenagers to watch, I feel like it is extremely non conducive to a healthy lifestyle.

Now don't get me wrong, I am all for free speech and open to allow people to be themselves, but if I had a teenager I would not allow them to watch this show, just because of the glorification of all the things that have caused so many teen deaths/hospital visits/ruined lives.

What's everyone else's thoughts?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
I do not think this is a good idea.
cherryredhead88 , Jul!a , Illusional , Darling Jen , Taylor , Emma (Girl With Fire) , Gunsmoke , LavenderSkies , potstickers , Selective Sensualist , Airekah , Liz2 , Owl Identified , Lady Neshamah , Choolz , married with children , BluePixi , ZenaidaMacroura , Viktor Vysheslav Malkin , Envy , pinkcupcakes , swf , indiglo , sixfootsex , lainebug , lolagray21 , falalena , Entropy , BrittaniMaree , padmeamidala , WestTexasBarbie
31
I do think this is a good idea.
Other.
UnknownGirl , Beth D , kinky girlfriend , clp , Hallmar82 , MissMod , talkless , falalena , dks210 , karenm , sunkissedJess
11
Total votes: 42 (41 voters)
Poll is closed
01/16/2011
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Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
I watched Undressed when I was younger, and it seemed more geared towards college students than high school students. I'm ok with this being geared for "older kids" that are out of high school and featuring characters that are out of high school, but I think putting all of these things together in a high school setting just glorifies all the bad things that can cause some serious long term damage.
01/16/2011
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
*Bumping for the night owls!*
01/16/2011
Contributor: UnknownGirl UnknownGirl
MTV has always been controversial. This show is no different. The only thing that has changed is that you're getting older and seeing things through different eyes.
01/16/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by UnknownGirl
MTV has always been controversial. This show is no different. The only thing that has changed is that you're getting older and seeing things through different eyes.
I disagree, controversy is one thing, but when you start glorifying bad behavior it normalizes it for more and more people. You may not have noticed but its not like the shit going on at 14 is any BETTER than it was 5 or even 10 years ago. I would say the percentage of teenagers doing REALLY stupid and dangerous shit has close to doubled in the last 20 yrs.
01/16/2011
Contributor: LavenderSkies LavenderSkies
Quote:
Originally posted by UnknownGirl
MTV has always been controversial. This show is no different. The only thing that has changed is that you're getting older and seeing things through different eyes.
I completely agree.
01/17/2011
Contributor: Beth D Beth D
I said other because, while it's not my cup of tea and I certainly wouldn't be too pleased if my hypothetical kids were into the show, it's not like kids wouldn't get the same ideas everywhere else. One of the main characters in Glee had a baby for crying out loud, and I like Glee; I'm not gonna sweat some reality show on MTV.

I'm the kind of person that would be like, 'Watch this. This is what not to do ', though
01/17/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
By the way, MTV used to play controversial music videos, now all they play is non stop reality shows that make me want to vomit.
01/17/2011
Contributor: Airekah Airekah
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
By the way, MTV used to play controversial music videos, now all they play is non stop reality shows that make me want to vomit.
agreed.
01/17/2011
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
I watched Undressed when I was younger, and it seemed more geared towards college students than high school students. I'm ok with this being geared for "older kids" that are out of high school and featuring characters that are out of ... more
I used to love Undressed. I was in high school at the time. I don't think it had any negative impact on me unless you count the fact that I continued watching a show full of bad acting because it was the porniest thing I could get in my bedroom.

I'd have to actually watch an episode of this to really pass judgement but as described it seems as though it was a poor call on someone's part to create something that portrays all of these situations in a less than negative light. Underaged drinking, drugs, and sex should not be portrayed so glamorously and certainly not to the undeveloped brain of a teenager. I take less issue with this show if it shows some of the potential consequences, like how much it sucks to be a drug addict, or what happens when someone gets an STD, or even arrests. None of these are good situations, obviously, but at least they can show some reality and that there are negative impacts for poor life decisions.
01/17/2011
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
Quote:
Originally posted by UnknownGirl
MTV has always been controversial. This show is no different. The only thing that has changed is that you're getting older and seeing things through different eyes.
Just sex between college students on a TV show full of crappy acting is different than real life teenagers.

Then again, what is controversial has changed a bit, as has what appeals to the masses.
01/17/2011
Contributor: Owl Identified Owl Identified
My sister watched the UK version back when she was 15/16 and as a 17 year old is so excited for it to come out in the States. I have all the same concerns about it glorifying truly unglamorous things like drug addiction, unsafe sex and other stuff like that.

All I can say is if you have younger siblings or kids, have conversations with them about the show! Talking to my sister about how unrealistic these depictions were, and also how harmful they were to our society's understanding of these issues, at first annoyed her. But I can tell she's taken our talks to heart and I know she watches the show with a more critical eye now.
01/17/2011
Contributor: cherryredhead88 cherryredhead88
Quote:
Originally posted by Beth D
I said other because, while it's not my cup of tea and I certainly wouldn't be too pleased if my hypothetical kids were into the show, it's not like kids wouldn't get the same ideas everywhere else. One of the main characters in Glee ... more
I have to kind of disagree with this here. I would do as Sex and Lies has recommended, and sit down have a talk with my son, but I still don't feel like I would allow him to watch it.

As far as high schoolers having babies, that is something that would happen as a consequence of the events that are portrayed on this show.

Someone else mentioned having to actually watch it, but there has been no description of "this show portrays the negative consequences of what can happen when you engage in so and so"

The show is airing tonight and I will not be watching.

Look at 16 and Pregnant. That was supposed to portray teen sex in a negative light, and actually follows girls and shows you what happens when you have sex at a young age, and there are still girls getting pregnant just to try and be cool and get on the show.

Sooooo, if MTV tries to show something in a bad light, and it is still glorifying things, what is going to happen with this?
01/17/2011
Contributor: clp clp
I watched the British original and loved it. I am not sure if I would say that it glorified drug use; it was definitely used as a vehicle through which the storyline moved but, for many kids, thats the case in their own life. I would really hope high school kids would know better than to believe a TV show (I know I was smarter than that and assume you were, too).

I don't have cable and don't really know how different the US version is, but I know my generation had its own fair share of movies and shows that glorified drugs. I turned out fine...
01/17/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
I am not entirely sure what I think about it. There are teenagers out there doing these very things and so long as the show's writers don't constantly bail them out and make everything ok by the end of the show, it might stop a few kids from being stupid. It might not. If a parent has an issue with the show, they should work to actively block the programming from appearing on their televisions. It exists and if a teenager wants to see it, they'll do whatever it takes to do so. Be it going to a friend's, the internet, or knowing someone with TiVO and a burner.
01/26/2011
Contributor: Hallmar82 Hallmar82
I chose other not because I like the idea - I think it's terrible for it's purpose. I've never seen the show but if it glorifies teenage sexuality in the way that has been described, then it's SO over the top that it borders on the absurd. If I had teenagers (which I don't), I hope it would help illustrate how far removed from reality it seems. That being said, it should be canceled or have all it's sponsors dropped anyway. So, I think it serves a valuable lesson for what not to do. I know the Teen Mom show is supposed to do that, but that show also attempts to humanize the mothers/families, then I don't think it's quite the same. Because this is a fictional program, it's easier not to see the actors as real people but characters in a very bad play.
01/26/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by Kim!
I used to love Undressed. I was in high school at the time. I don't think it had any negative impact on me unless you count the fact that I continued watching a show full of bad acting because it was the porniest thing I could get in my ... more
That is how the shows I watched when I was a teenager were designed. And as bad as the acting was, they were great.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Viktor Vysheslav Malkin Viktor Vysheslav Malkin
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I have been seeing previews for MTV's new show, Skins, for quite some time now, and have actually been quite appalled at it. It seems to me like they are glorifying underage drinking, drugs, and sex. I feel like it is almost this generation's ... more
I heard about this and a contreversy surrounding it.

I watched about 5-8 minutes of it the other night, saw that these dumb kids accidently drove their vehicle into a huge F#$# lake. I was offended by the absolute stupidity of the whole segment!

Okay so your a kid who just drove a very expensive vehicle into the water, ruining it, and you come up and laugh and are worrying about the pot you had in it? Ridiculous! I am pretty sure 99% of teens would be freaked out. You know, it is a crime, plus their parents will be pissed. And in real life a vehicle is full of chemicals and oils that would be a danger to the habitat. I can't speak for every teen, but I think that is just stupid, and a lot bit corny.

I am not too far removed from those days, I am 22. If you like it, then great, I am glad you found something you can enjoy, I just don't care for it.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
You know what terrifies me about this show? ITS AUDIENCE! Does anybody remember a few years back when there was that massive outbreak of syphilis in REALLY young teenagers (like 13 to 16). It turned out that there were over 300 students participating in mass orgies and sex parties and none of their parents knew what was going on. THAT is what happens when sex and drugs are glorified and young people are subjected to it.

Not all of the kids that watch Skins will do stupid shit, and not all of the kids that do stupid shit will watch Skins. Unfortunately there will always be kids who see it and gravitate towards that type of lifestyle and the more kids who do this, the cooler it is going to seem to the rest of them. Teenagers tend to do what is cool to fit in, whether it is stupid or not, half of them don't even want to, they just don't want to be singled out for not doing it. It sucks being a teenager and the last thing kids need is for MTV to be airing some dumb show that will only serve to make their decisions and their lives a little more difficult.
01/27/2011
Contributor: MissMod MissMod
The show is sort of unrealistic...I don't think it reflects real teenage life.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Envy Envy
It depends on the people watching the show. Some will be dumb enough to do the stupid stuff, some will not. Parents ultimately need to be the ones to help guide their kids in the right direction and talk to them about consequences depending on actions taken, not some TV show.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Teenagers rarely listen to their parents. That is all I am saying. And lets just take a look at how many home made "jackass" type videos are out there since the release of the series.
01/27/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
Teenagers rarely listen to their parents. That is all I am saying. And lets just take a look at how many home made "jackass" type videos are out there since the release of the series.
I think you've got that backwards. Those videos existed long before Jackass was ever a concept, just look at the archives of America's Funniest Home Videos - that kind of stuff is 65% of the collection.
01/27/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
You know what terrifies me about this show? ITS AUDIENCE! Does anybody remember a few years back when there was that massive outbreak of syphilis in REALLY young teenagers (like 13 to 16). It turned out that there were over 300 students participating ... more
Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, One Tree Hill, Dawson's Creek, 90210, and there was some show on Vh1 about real life teenagers doing really stupid things that was eventually canceled...

But my point is, the show isn't the problem. It's the lack of parenting and values in the child's life that is the problem. I also believe Skins airs at a time period where children are supposed to be in bed. I could be wrong.

And what about shows like Big Love, Sex and the City, Hung, Californication...thos e are all accessible, they aren't marketed to children but it doesn't mean they don't watch them.
01/27/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
Quote:
Originally posted by PussyGalore
Gossip Girl, Pretty Little Liars, One Tree Hill, Dawson's Creek, 90210, and there was some show on Vh1 about real life teenagers doing really stupid things that was eventually canceled...

But my point is, the show isn't the problem. ... more
I agree, the difference is that most of AFH was either child related accidents or Drunken adults not drunken kamikaze 14 yr olds jumping off of roofs to do backflips trying to land on a bicycle loaded up with fireworks.

I also agree about the bedtime and the other shows on tv. I monitor what my children watch on tv, but that is difficult for some people, especially when their children have their own tv's. I just think airing it on a station that is marketed towards 13-17 year olds is totally fucked.
01/31/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
I probably sound like my mother (oh no!! ) but I don't think I'd want my hypothetical kids watching the show. That being said, I also agree with whoever said that it's the parents' job to dictate what the kid watches or doesn't watch on TV. There are plenty of shows I don't think are appropriate for kids on other channels too.
01/31/2011
Contributor: PussyGalore PussyGalore
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
I agree, the difference is that most of AFH was either child related accidents or Drunken adults not drunken kamikaze 14 yr olds jumping off of roofs to do backflips trying to land on a bicycle loaded up with fireworks.

I also agree about ... more
Back in the day, I would agree that MTV was marketed for young teens but now I'm not so sure. The nature of the programming, lack of music videos/news/updates, and the overall style of the channel seems to be aimed at 18-25 year olds.

Then again, I'm probably way out of touch with reality. I don't have kids and I don't hang around people with kids so I don't know what they're paying attention to.


Hahaha, throw back to the 80's but my mom would bust my ass every time she caught me watching MTV but my Friday night Dirty Dancing marathon was a-ok.
01/31/2011
Contributor: Emma (Girl With Fire) Emma (Girl With Fire)
When I was in grade 6, 7 and 8 everybody thought that I was a total weirdo because I was the only one who didn't watch mtv. Their siblings watched it when they were even younger.
01/31/2011
Contributor: Envy Envy
Quote:
Originally posted by Emma (Girl With Fire)
When I was in grade 6, 7 and 8 everybody thought that I was a total weirdo because I was the only one who didn't watch mtv. Their siblings watched it when they were even younger.
I never watched it and still don't, lol.
01/31/2011
Contributor: lainebug lainebug
Quote:
Originally posted by cherryredhead88
I have been seeing previews for MTV's new show, Skins, for quite some time now, and have actually been quite appalled at it. It seems to me like they are glorifying underage drinking, drugs, and sex. I feel like it is almost this generation's ... more
Why do we have all this crap on TV sadly I remember when MTV was just music videos.
12/31/2012