Re: In Defense of Teasing

[Guest guest]

>

> December 7, 2008

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> In Defense of Teasing

>

> By DACHER KELTNER

>

> A FEW YEARS AGO my daughters and I were searching for sand crabs on

a white-sand beach near Monterey. A group of sixth graders descended

on us, clad in the blue trousers and pressed white shirts of their

parochial school. Once lost in the sounds of the surf, away from their

teacher's gaze, they called one another by nicknames and mocked the

way one laughed, another walked. Noogies and rib pokes, headlocks and

bear hugs caught the unsuspecting off guard. Two boys dangled a girl

over the waves. Three girls tugged a boy's sagging pants down. Dog

piles broke out. In a surprise attack, one girl nearly dropped a dead

crab down a boy's pants.

(SNIP)

,

You have hit on a very real breakdown here of American society. I

completely agree w/you. It is no wonder our young people are so

socially confused on how to gain the attention of the opposites. It

seems we have been forced to interact based on marketing numbers.

Entertainers are no longer working because they have talent, it is

whether or not they have marketable sex appeal. If they want to keep

their jobs in the industry they better bare enough skin and be willing

to behave in lude and crude ways for the public. It looks like once

again the responsibility of society falls on the shoulders of parents.

If we want our children to know how to behave socially we need to give

them instruction and opportunity. It is not surprising that American

males are under the assumption that females are sex kittens competing

for and flattered by every male advance made towards them. Isn't that

the scenario presented by the Media? Our American girls are lead to

believe that if they are not constantly looking as sexy as possible

they will be left out of the dating game and have little or no worth

to our society. In the 50's and 60's social etiquette instruction was

offered to pre-teen aged children. They were taught how to behave like

ladies and gentlemen. They were given circumstances to practice and

hone their social skills. Now this seems to be an asset that only

business people and the country club set enjoy. It is a shame that so

many have lost their lives to make this the greatest country in the

world and that we have the history to keep the title, but we have

succumbed to consumerism and have given away many of the little joys

in life like flirting and playful teasing. I for one am going to go

out and purposely tease today. I think I will even skip on my way!

Thanks for your post. Enjoy the Day.

Karmyn