In the News —from “Parent's Only ”
My Super Sweet (or Spoiled?) 16
LOS ANGELES—The prime-time MTV reality show My Super Sweet 16 documents the planning of elaborate 16th birthday parties for some of America’s wealthiest kids. Each episode concludes with footage of the extravagant event—some parties topping final costs of over $200,000—compliments of Mom and Dad.
These parties come with themes such as Arabian Nights or Pretty in Pink. Teens travel to New York City and Paris to purchase their party attire, and guests receive invitations on engraved coins and MP3 players. Guests of honor sometimes arrive in chartered helicopters and stretched Hummers, and entertainment often includes a concert by the latest pop music sensation or a catwalk fashion show. And the all-important gift from the Mom and Dad? Usually the birthday guy or gal receives a lux ury vehicle such as a sporty BMW or rugged Range Rover.
Critics of the show claim that it teaches kids that financial exploitation is common, even celebrated. Often the teenagers spend big bucks and, in turn, behave poorly toward their parents. “Their blingy flings are not celebrations of accomplishment; they’re celebrations of self,” writes Ana Marie Cox in Time magazine.
MTV Vice President of News and Documentaries, Nina Diaz, claims that the show is popular because it’s over-the-top. “Clearly, the lavishness is part of the thrill. People connect to it.” A guest at one party said, “Sixteen is a big age, you know, and parents want to treat them special.”
Do you think it’s okay to spend a lot of money on a birthday party? Explain. If you treat your guests lavishly, do you think God will be pleased because you’re also a cheerful giver? Explain. Is it ever okay to spend excessive amounts of money? Why or why not? The Bible contains many passages on God’s blessings—does God want us to enjoy his blessings? Do you think God cares about how we choose to enjoy those blessings? Explain. What do you think God would say about the My Super Sweet 16 TV show?
Related Scriptures: 1 Chronicles 4:10; Psalm 49:5-7; Psalm 128:2; Romans 15:27; Ephesians 5:5; 1 Timothy 6:17
Sparing the Rod
SCHAUMBURG, Ill.—Six-year-old Chandler Fallaw-Gabrielson’s mother recently withdrew him from Schaumburg Christian School after she refused to spank him for misbehaving when a school official asked her to do so.
Chandler was sent to the administrator’s office for talking too much, chewing gum, and bringing toys to school—all rule violations. The administrator called Chandler’s mother to the school and then told her she had the choice of spanking her child or having him suspended for his misbehavior.
“I said, ‘OK, when I take him home, I’ll use my form of discipline,’ ” says Chandler’s mom, Michelle Fallaw-Gabrielson. “And she said, ‘No, either you go inside my office and spank him, or I’m suspending him from school for a day.’ ”
Fallaw-Gabrielson refused to spank her child on the basis that she doesn’t believe in corporal punishment. The next day, she withdrew him from the school.
“I put my son [in the Christian school] for academic reasons, for moral structure. I didn’t put my son there to be told I had to enforce corporal punishment on him,” says Fallaw-Gabrielson.
While corporal punishment is banned in public schools, that law doesn’t apply to private schools. Before enrolling their children, parents are required to sign the school guidelines outlining parent-enforced corporal punishment policies.
“I bring it to their attention because I want them to know about this before I enroll their child,” says school administrator Randy Thaxton. “I tell them that if their child ever gets in this position, that they have an option. They don’t have to spank—it’s their choice.”
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Do you think Chandler’s mom made the right decision? Why or why not? Do you think parents or school officials should enforce corporal punishment or spanking? Why or why not? Do you think Chandler’s mom was wrong for enrolling her son even if she disagreed with the school’s discipline policy? Why or why not?
Is this school’s policy acceptable? Why or why not? What do you think God would say about this situation?
Related Scriptures: Proverbs 13:24; Proverbs 22:8; Proverbs 22:15; Proverbs 23:14.
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