Carter, S. (1997, December 21). Survey of christian youth on values and movies. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

Movies and television are inextricably part of the multi-faceted fabric of youth culture. Teenagers communicate with each other through what they know about the latest movies and television shows. New styles, fashions, and pop catch-phrases develop from what teens see on-screen. Because Hollywood has such a powerful influence on today's youth, it is vitally important that those who work with teenagers help them to both choose and use what they watch wisely. Dean Borgman raises this issue in his book, When Kumbaya Is Not Enough. He writes, "Our goal as youth ministers is not to show young people how much we know. They will quickly humble us if we try to impress them with any such knowledge. Rather, we want to study with them and learn their ideas about drama and music. We are interested in their empowerment to discern and protect themselves from the manipulation of electronic communication" (Borgman, p. 138).

The following findings have been compiled through a survey asking teenagers what they look for in choosing a movie and how they feel movies and television can be used in their personal lives. Such a survey can help youth workers build bridges with the teen culture, adults, and Christ. Responses shared in this study offer deeper insight into the needs and desires of today's teenagers:

DESIGN

Fifteen teenagers from a predominantly white, middle-class, Assembly of God (Pentecostal) church were surveyed for their personal opinions and values about movies and the media. The survey participants were between the ages of 12 to 16, and both sexes were represented (4 boys, 11 girls). The majority of the youth surveyed considered themselves to be "Christian" and had not been raised consistently in church settings. Many came from single parent homes. The survey was held in a Sunday School class in Flint, Michigan.

FINDINGS

The following questions were presented in the survey:

• What makes a "good" movie/tv show? What elements does your favorite movie have to include?
• What makes a movie/tv show "bad"?
• How do you feel about the media and teenagers?
• What movies/tv shows do you think talk about spiritual things? What do you think about them?
• What do you think about movies which deal with serious issues? What can you learn from them?
• What do you like about movies? What do you personally "get" out of watching movies? The responses from the group are presented here.
• Question: What makes a "good" movie/tv show? What elements does your favorite movie have to include? Responses: "Good" movies must have at least two or more components:
  • Action ("Men In Black"; "Speed")
  • Good comedy, slapstick humor ("Police Academy"; "Set It Off"; "Liar, Liar")
  • Romance-Fairy-tale ending ("Little Mermaid"; "Secret Garden"; "My Best Friend's Wedding")
  • Guns and violence ("Men In Black"; "The Terminator")
  • Scariness/Thrillers/Horror ("Twister"; "Scream")
  • Aliens ("Independence Day"; "The Alien")
  • Good looking actors or actresses ("Jerry Maguire")
• Question: What makes a movie/tv show "bad"? Responses: "Bad" movies, as determined and agreed upon unanimously by the group, have the following elements:
  • No plot-not interesting story (redundant or extremely predictable story line)
  • Boring-no action (it doesn't "move")
  • Bad acting
  • Stupid jokes
• Question: How do you feel about the media and teenagers? Responses: When asked if there was anything they disliked about today's media, one of the girls (14 years old) said that she doesn't like Disney very much because they are only out to get money from everyone. Another said that she was bothered by movies like the recent animated movie, Anastasia. What she disliked was that, while the basis of the movie was actually a true story in which a Russian family was murdered, Hollywood turned it into a fairytale and made people believe that everything was okay and happy. The group as a whole discussed this and they all agreed that they didn't think such movies were being honest to the public who watches them. Another example mentioned was "Pocahontas," and they said they disliked being lied to, especially when they (the teenagers) do know the truth. They were concerned that some people might end up believing the media's lies about history and true things which really happen.
• Question: What movies/tv shows do you think talk about spiritual things? What do you think about them? Responses: Movies/television shows they felt had "spiritual content" or talked about God:
  • "Leap of Faith" (God, heaven, faith)
  • "Schindler's List" (God, evil, pain)
  • "Dear God" (God, praying)
  • "Ten Commandments" (God, the Bible)
  • "Soul Man" (Gospel)
  • "Good News"-TV (religion, God)
  • "Touched By An Angel"-TV (heaven, angels, God, doing good)
• As a whole, they didn't have much to say about these shows. These were not the first shows they chose as their favorites, even though everyone generally seemed familiar with the content of each of these movies/television shows.
• Question: What do you think about movies which deal with serious issues? What can you learn from them? Responses: On watching movies/TV shows which depict real life, history, or spirituality (comments were shared by the group as a whole or written individually):
  • "It's important to know what truth is in life."
  • "You learn about the importance of life."
  • "I learn about things that happened in history."
  • "I feel remorseful-I cried, felt sorry…" (discussing "Schindler's List")
  • "I feel connected to things." (comment about "Romeo and Juliet"-modern movie, original Shakespeare)
• (*Movies they felt belonged in this category were "Romeo and Juliet", "Moll Flanders," "Schindler's List," "Good Morning Vietnam")
• Question: What do you like about movies? What do you personally "get" out of watching movies? Responses: (Note: I was expecting more of a response to this question. If this survey is used again, rephrasing the question may help clear up anything that wasn't clear.)
  • entertainment, happy feelings
  • cool, new jokes
  • drama
  • truth

CONCLUSIONS

• While the majority of the group considered themselves to be "Christian," the morals represented in any particular movie did not influence overall decisions of whether a movie was "good" or "bad." Bad movies were rated on the movie's particular ability to make teenagers laugh, get excited, or be stimulated or relieved. The results from this survey indicate that moral content was not necessarily an aspect of the decision concerning whether the movie was "bad" or not.
• Comedy and action rate high on the scale for movie choices for teens.
• The group immediately and readily opened up to discussing their favorite movies and why they like them. Their honesty and willingness to give their opinion was incredibly surprising and exciting. Discussing what they love and entering into their culture without judgment helps to create an atmosphere for growth in trust and potential for future instruction and encouragement.

As a general conclusion of the survey, several comments need to be added. One of the most significant findings in listening to the group was that it is very important that movies are not "stupid." They defined "stupid" as redundant, not really funny, or boring. They appreciated good comedy (which does "make them laugh"), fairy tale romance, Disney movies, and drama which is not too sentimental. Several mentioned that they liked learning about the past. They were not overly interested in dramatic content, unless the movie represented an underdog who wins out in the end, or life is made better. Action, thrillers, aliens, and comedy were at the top of their lists. While dramatic movies and television shows with spiritual themes, such as "Seven Years in Tibet" or "Contact," were predictably less likely to be favorites, movies which made fun of spirituality and "religiosity" would be more readily watched than dramas which discussed God, spirituality, or religion (such as "Leap of Faith"-comedy, over "Seven Years In Tibet"-drama).

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION

1. How do youth workers help teenagers learn how to discern between right and wrong?
2. What methods can be used to help youth choose what types of movies they watch?
3. How can youth workers creatively teach biblical values and morals to teenagers who are often inundated with the worldly view from the media?
4. How can visual media be used to reach, teach, or evangelize?
5. How can youth workers personally guide young people through spiritual choices and what it means to be "in the world but not of it?"
6. What positive results can be gleaned from watching secular movies?
7. What can a youth worker do to help teens with "movie peer pressure" (that is, the cultural need to "fit in" and see what everyone else is seeing)?
8. When a young person chooses to not watch what others are watching, how can a youth worker or parent support that teen in his or her moral decision?

IMPLICATIONS

1. Teenagers are looking for excitement, thrills, and laughter. In the movie, "Shadowlands," C.S. Lewis is told that "one reads to know they're not alone." The same could be said about youth, movies, and television: they watch to know they're not alone. Other peers are watching too, and the stories which unfold inspire, relieve, and encourage teenagers in unique ways.
2. Youth workers and parents should be listen to and watch to see what these movies and shows are saying. Often, teenagers identify with themes and stories, and they have no way of articulating their personal needs, dreams, and hopes. Those who pay attention can enter a realm often overlooked or judged by adults, and can win respect and trust by simply caring enough to see what the teenagers themselves see.
3. There is a definite need for adults to help guide teens in this area. By using tools such as a survey and questionnaire, teens can open up and share secrets they otherwise would not, and information gathered from such talks can be used to create lesson curricula.
4. Media should also be used to get teens' interest. Creative use of popular movie and television video clips on topics ranging from sex, lying, adultery, and homosexuality to anything else can challenge teens about their own beliefs and morals and create avenues for discussion. Spirituality can be discussed this same way. Teens can be encouraged to use videocameras to create their own talk shows about such issues as sexuality, morality, and religion.