Youth Culture Archives - Page 11 of 57 - Jonathan's Blog From The Source

Bringing up the subject

Posted on: 03/3/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

In one of my recent More Than Just the Talk workshops where I encouraged parents to create a comfortable climate of continual conversations about sex, a parent asked…

“Well, what are we supposed to do, bring it up?”

The brand new article I just posted on TheSource4Parents.com answers that question in great detail. The short of it is… we don’t have to bring it up. The world does that for us. When we’re watching TV, it’s hard to avoid sexual references, innuendo, and images. Songs laden with sexual lyrics play on the radio, in the stores, and at the gym. If you let your kids out of the house (which I recommend you do), then they are exposed to Continue reading “Bringing up the subject”

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Teenaged Doubters

Posted on: 02/26/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Whenever I talk with today’s teenagers, I see them processing what I tell them. It’s almost as if they are weighing it in their minds:

“Does he really know what he is talking about?

Does this make sense?

Would this make my life better…or worse?”

Today’s adults don’t have presumed authority. Kids don’t take us at our word. We’ve raised a generation who grew up watching Nick and the Disney Channel where they’ve learned that parents and teachers are Continue reading “Teenaged Doubters”

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Conversations about Sex

Posted on: 02/23/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

They’re here!

I’ve never experienced so much anticipation for one of my books–two of my books actually–probably because they’re candidly addressing the truth about a subject usually kept hush-hush.

I’m talking about my two brand new books about sex (both in stock and shipping today), one for teens, and one for parents and adult mentors. Thanks to all of you who have been asking me about these two resources. I’ve never had soooooo many people asking for early copies and eager to buy bulk copies for their kids and parents. (And to the hundreds of you who pre-ordered copies over the last several months… they’re shipping today!)

I won’t bother blabbing about them. Here’s what others are saying Continue reading “Conversations about Sex”

Posted in Books, Parenting, Youth Culture, Youth Ministry Planning | | Leave A Comment

Walking Dead Conversations

Posted on: 02/17/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

The-Walking-Dead It’s nice when the most watched cable show happens to also be one of the most discussion-provoking shows on television. (And that’s why we post discussion questions pointing to scripture after every episode.)

I’m talking about The Walking Dead. The hit show had its mid-season premier last week, and it drew over 15 million viewers, ranking it not only the top viewed cable show that week, but also beating most broadcast shows. In fact The Walking Dead beat out American Idol, Empire, Modern Family, Scandal, Two and Half Men, Two Broke Girls… and almost everything else.

And what is the common theme of the show week after week Continue reading “Walking Dead Conversations”

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Sex Matters

Posted on: 02/10/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

Two brand new resource are releasing that will help us dialogue about an issue… we usually keep hush hush!

The end of this week two of my brand new books about SEX will literally be coming off the press and being boxed in timely fashion… on Valentines Day… and on the release of the new movie, 50 Shades of Grey. (You might have just seen the new Youth Culture Window article I just posted about that film, “Mom, Why Do People Like ‘50 Shads of Grey’?”)

In a world filled with sexually charges images and content, I’m excited Continue reading “Sex Matters”

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The Need for Super Bowl Conversations

Posted on: 02/1/15 8:44 PM | by Jonathan McKee

After spending an entire weekend with a couple thousand teenagers in South Carolina, my attention was immediately turned to the most watched television broadcast of the year in the United States: the Super Bowl. It was an intriguing transition.

The Super bowl is a distinctive television event. It’s not unique to adults, and it’s not exclusive to teenagers (a la MTV Video Music Awards). It’s an event truly watched by the entire family (the commercials alone are a huge draw for all ages- did you notice the ad for the new SpongeBob movie? And the new Ted 2 movie… wait… is that for kids?).

So what did I take away from this year’s Super Bowl?

One conclusion Continue reading “The Need for Super Bowl Conversations”

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What Teens Want to Read

Posted on: 01/7/15 5:45 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I always find it intriguing to see what forms of entertainment today’s young people are digesting in our culture. For most of us, that brings to mind the newest Vine video, social media app, or Nicki Minaj song in the Top 10. But what about books?

Every since Harry Potter, we’ve seen a surge in YA fiction (often followed by movie releases), like the Twilight series, the Hunger Games trilogy, Divergent, or the more recent The Fault in Our Stars. In a world with so many entertainment options, what is it young people are actually reaching for on the shelf today? And with steamy adult books like 50 Shades of Grey surging mainstream… will this trickle down to the teen market?

I asked YA author Continue reading “What Teens Want to Read”

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The Dark Undercurrents of Bullying

Posted on: 12/29/14 9:00 AM | by Jonathan McKee

I’ve been taking time off work for a few weeks during Christmas break to not only spend as much time as possible with my family, but also to finish writing my first fiction novel, a story about a school shooting on a high school campus—a sobering peek into the dark undercurrents of teen culture and bullying.

The book has been an interesting project, providing a porthole into the perspectives of various individuals: an athlete, a Christian girl, a bullied kid, a teacher, a cop… and countless other teens.

I admit, the book hits a little too close to home. As I dove into the internal psyche of the shy, teased, isolated kid who one day just explodes in a rampage Continue reading “The Dark Undercurrents of Bullying”

Posted in Books, Bullying/Cyberbullying, Personal, Youth Culture | | Leave A Comment