Class Discussion for the Week of Oct. 29th

This week in Ed. Psych. was probably the most interesting so far. I really enjoyed the conversations we had, and the movie that we watched.

The discussion we had about the kind of music that children listen to was very interesting. I enjoyed hearing all the opinions regarding whether or not parents should control their children's music. I have always had the personal opinion that music does not have that great of an effect on children. I actually believe that parents have more power than the music does. If parents explain that the messages in songs, and that most of them are derogatory, hopefully the child realizes that they should not use these songs as basis for a lifestyle. Personally, I admit that some of the music that I listen to is very explicit, but it has never made me want to commit murder or become a whore. I think that it depends on what you want to get out of the music. If you are just looking for a form of entertainment, then the music will be harmless. But if you are looking for something to base your lifestyle on, and you turn to music for this, there is going to be lots of trouble.

In class, we also watched a clip from the movie "Thirteen." It was very interesting to see Tracy transform from an innocent thirteen year old, into a trashy troublemaker. I feel sorry for Tracy, because there were so many outside factors that contributed to her transformation. Her mom was a recovering alcoholic, who always seemed to busy for Tracy. She was also portrayed as "a cool mom," and those are never good. Parents need to realize that they cannot be their children's best friends.

Tracy was also peer pressured by Evie, and this caused her to commit acts that she probably never would have committed, had she not met Evie. Being thirteen is such an awful time. You are insecure, and trying to find out who you are. Most kids are fortunate enough to find good role models, but Tracy did not have that luxury.

I think that the movie "Thirteen" can send a message to us as future parents. We need to make sure that we are talking with our children, and making sure that they do not have to hide all their concerns and emotions inside them.

As future teachers, we can learn that we always need to be aware of what is going on. We talked about how in the movie, we rarely saw any teachers around. As educators, it will be our jobs to protect our students. That means we need to constantly be on the lookout for inappropriate and harmful behavior.