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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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7

Teen Sex on ABC Family Sparks Debate

Parents complain Secret Life situations are too risqué for kids

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(Newser) – Edgier programming  by the Disney-owned ABC Family channel may have boosted ratings and advertising, but many parents are angry about the changes. New series, particularly The Secret Life of the American Teenager, have sparked debate about whether the offerings are truly family programming, reports the Los Angeles Times. Parents concerned about the risqué themes in the hit show claim the network has betrayed its target demographic.

"When you call something 'family,' it gives the impression that it's safe for all members of the family, even young children," said one parent. ABC executives insist the programs are simply evolving with their viewers. "The best way to resonate with your audience is to be authentic," said the president of the Disney-ABC Television Group. "You're only authentic if you are holding up a mirror to your audience and saying, 'I see you.'"

Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of the Disney-ABC Television Group, poses at her office in Burbank, Calif.
Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of the Disney-ABC Television Group, poses at her office in Burbank, Calif.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)
Actress India Eisley of
Actress India Eisley of "Secret Life" attends Disney and ABC's 'TCA-All Star Party' at the Beverly Hilton last year.   (Getty Images)
Actress Shailene Woodley from
Actress Shailene Woodley from "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" attends the 2008 American Music Awards after-party in Los Angeles.   (Getty Images)
Shailene Woodley and Molly Ringwald, both from
Shailene Woodley and Molly Ringwald, both from "Secret Life," attend ABC Family's '25 Days of Christmas' winter wonderland event at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan last year.   (Getty Images)
Actor Ken Baumann arrives at the gala premiere of 'Criss Angel Believe' by Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor Resort & Casino in Las Vegas last year.
Actor Ken Baumann arrives at the gala premiere of 'Criss Angel Believe' by Cirque du Soleil at the Luxor Resort & Casino in Las Vegas last year.   (Getty Images)
Actress Megan Park, one of the stars of
Actress Megan Park, one of the stars of "Secret Life" attends Disney and ABC's 'TCA-All Star Party' at the Beverly Hilton last year.   (Getty Images)
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Scenes from "The Secret Life of the American Teenager."   (tslotatxlove)

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I'd love for these shows to be 'Little House on the Prairie,' but that isn't going to happen. Family programming is all about bringing families together to watch shows so that they can dialogue about these sensitive topics.
- Pat Gentile, ad buyer for P&G

The best way to resonate with your audience is to be authentic. And you're only authentic if you are holding up a mirror to your audience and saying, 'I see you.' - Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television Group

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7 comments
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nick
Feb 1, 09 8:33 AM CST
"The best way to resonate with your audience is to be authentic," said the president of the Disney-ABC Television Group. "You're only authentic if you are holding up a mirror to your audience and saying, 'I see you.'" What nonsense! Walt Disney would turn over in his grave. I guess it isn't just Wall Street that has become morally bankrupt! Reply
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Newser001
Feb 1, 09 9:45 AM CST
I have a 8 year old daughter... There was a time where I felt Disney Channel would and could produce quality family content for her/us, but I trust the channel less and less so... 'Hanna Montana', my daughter's favorite, is beginning to contain questionable script content, confusing values, morals... Disney/ABC is doing what it always does, circumvents content for profits. They already have a niche. Why screw with it? The source of this article, The Wall Street Journal, is the flagship of a morally bankrupt industry, people, demographic. At one point I admired it, subscribed, but dropped it when I began to find myself in disagreement with it at many times, in many ways - I'm glad its a subscription only service via the internet, as it isolates the general public from its distorted views and visions as it panders to the financial industry. Example, they knew sub-prime was morally and fiscally bankrupt from the get go, yet said nothing until the sh!t hit the fan. And consider, it's just another Rupert Murdoch property, now - part of the FOXNews family; 'Fair and Balanced Reporting'. Reply
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PosterNutbag
Feb 1, 09 12:43 PM CST
Turn off the TV. Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
morenogabr
Feb 1, 09 1:54 PM CST
I dont think it makes sense to use that as a valid argument anymore. TV has become too important to all of our lives that you cant just deny decent programming to such a huge part of our population and call it fair. It will be quite a while before I have any kids but I already know that it wont be possible to keep them away from technology culture. I believe that in the near future it wont make any sense for parents to want the slightest amount of control over their child's life. What is really evolving though: the human definitions of responsibility, independence, and faith. Or the alternative is maybe a civil war between the "mainstream" and the last of those few individuals who insisted on control over offspring. I call it Brave New World.
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IN RESPONSE:
JMagic21824
Feb 1, 09 2:14 PM CST
I second that. We as a society have become a little too dependant on television to entertain us.
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