Write Or Wrong 72

Teenage Wasteland

While working as a teacher aide at a local high school, I get the chance to view how the next wave of kids go about their life. Yes, the school is in a wealthy suburb, but I guess I get some view into how these kids think. And just when I thought I knew these kids, MTV came calling.

MTV came to the school for a make-over show for girls. They chose two teams consisting of three girls each who each had a chance to makeover one other girl. Then, the student body would vote on who they thought receive the better make-over. With this, the school was abuzz with excitement and a legion of girls were jockeying for position to be one of the girls involved in the show. The camera crew began shooting footage of interviews with students and then the real fun began. One of the MTV producers asked a group of girls what type of style they have. Each of them would describe themselves as "urban-preppy", "hip hop-Jappy", and my favourite, "very original". To be honest, all of these girls dress the same. When it's cold out, it's little cashmere hooded sweat suits and fluffy boots or really tight jeans, little fashion boots, and a tight t-shirt. When it's warm, some type of outfit with a skirt and flip flops is a favourite. But the cameras kept on rolling and the students kept on talking.

A group of boys were interviewed about what they found attractive about a girl. The replies? "Damn, she got to be hot, y'know?", "I like a girl that's got a nice body and dresses nice.", and "Um, I don't like fat chicks. Blonde girls are hot. And they gotta' look good." When the producer conducting the interview asked, "But do you want a girl who's smart? Maybe athletic? Creative?" Obviously, she was trying to give these kids a cue to give a somewhat less shallow response. They didn't pick up on that. "No," one guy responded, " they just gotta be good looking and cool." I shook my head in dismay when I heard this. And I watched as the cameras kept rolling and the shallow-quotient just kept rising.

I watched as two girls pretty much went to war and argued over the vote for the better makeover. It wasn't an overly clever argument; you just kept hearing them call each other "bitch" over and over. I eventually had to brake up the fight and was utterly grateful when they edited me out of the final cut. Eventually, one team one the make over competition and one some $500 and $1000 prizes. Perfect for already rich kids. And after the show aired and portrayed these young men and women as shallow and narrow-minded individuals, parents in the district were rather upset. And the principal came under fire for a bit. But you know what? I still have my job and I didn't have to be on that show. Thank goodness for small favours.