Growing Up the Disney Way

I was watching Disney channel and a commercial for Wizards of Waverly place came on. This is the show that has Selena Gomez on it…well they’re trying to end the show. Selena is playing a 16 year old sophomore or junior in high school and she has already gotten her heart broken, wears high heels, and has very sarcastic personality. She is portrayed in a very mature manor. As only beginning her true teenage years, she wants to get an apartment with her best friend. No questions asked, they get the apartment! How do they make money for their rent? How did they save the money? Why are the parents letting her do this? Her older brother has not even moved out of the house and he is the one about to go off to college. American culture in general portrays how parents love having you out of the house by eighteen. Eighteen is the reasonable age for you to be on your own. American culture is teaching kids independence at a very young age. This is shocking for Disney to promote this behavior since they are very family oriented. She should be making mistakes and having fun! At her age you are still learning, and stepping into your independence. You just started to drive! You are just beginning to find your own identity in the world! Owning your own apartment is pressure that should not be added to your learning years. College students still depend on their parents for money, support, help, and advice. We shouldn’t have the next generation grow up too fast. We watch 16 year olds get pregnant and deal with adult problems all the time on television. I think this adds to how the media starts accepting that teens CAN go through stressful situations for that fifteen minutes of fame or view being “grown-up” as cool. These are not role models younger people should be looking at.