5 Lies Many Movies Are Teaching Young Women
By Aubrianna Giselle
Movies could be one of the strongest influences on young minds in the 21st century, if not the most. With movie titles like 10 RULES FOR SLEEPING AROUND, THREE NIGHT STAND and KNOCKED UP, it’s no surprise our world is falling deeper and deeper into self-destruction. Young women are a huge target audience that studios want to hit, and the amount of deception that they feed growing girls is absolutely shocking. Here are five common, false messages that young girls are falling prey to, and need to fight against.
1. Outward Beauty is What Matters
The value of beauty is something that little girls are taught by the media at such a young age, and it sticks with them throughout their teenage and adult years. Watching any beauty product commercial between TV shows, pushing a beauty standard few can actually hold up to impacts young women more than we like to admit.
When thinking about how beauty is portrayed in movies, a movie that quickly comes to mind is THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. Even the name itself speaks volumes. This movie is centered around two women who play tug-of-war with each other in the fashion world. One is the symbol of all things, like beauty, glamor, fame, and riches. The other portrays a more down-to-earth, natural beauty….that comes from the heart and shines from the inside out.
The lie falls with the first character; the one that got all her power and fame from her outward appearance and puts all her worth and importance into that. Proverbs 31: 30 talks about where real praise and value lies in a woman: “Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” Mark 8:36-37 also shines some light on the danger of giving in to such lies and temptations: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul?” We need to fight for our young girls and raise them up with their eyes fixed on God only and not solely in the mirror.
2. Bullying is Funny
Somewhere along the line, young girls started to believe that bullying, fighting and tearing other girls down are acceptable. From teasing about clothes and make-up, to arguments that lead to physical fights, girls have been against each other for decades.
Examples of movies that approve of this are THE DUFF, BRIDESMAIDS and MEAN GIRLS, all of which portray young teenage girls and adults using words, labels, punches, and anything necessary to get their vicious, damaging message across to other girls.
Proverbs 31: 26 gives a clear picture of how a lady should speak and act, saying, “She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Matthew 5: 43-44 gives a much more general view of “love[ing] your enemies and pray[ing] for those who persecute you.” These are the values that should be taught to young girls.
3. Having Romantic Fantasies is Good
In a world consumed with love, relationships and fantasy, it is easy for little girls to start believing the lie that a man, or people in general, will be able to fulfill that hole in the heart that truly belongs to God. Girls are convinced that getting attention and being loved by the “perfect guy” is the only thing that will give them worth.
THE TWILIGHT SAGA is a series of movies that captures this corrupted mentality quite well. The story follows the relationship between two teenagers, and their twisted journey in finding love and being together forever. Even so, the amount of emphasis on infatuation, love and being with the most “perfect guy” is so huge, that it is easy for a young girl’s mind to slip into that fantasy of only wanting that type of attention in life.
The Bible is very clear about where our love, heart and focus should lie: on God. Deuteronomy 6:5 begins to paint this picture by saying, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might,” and Colossians 3:2 continues with “Set[ting] your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” Finally, 1 Corinthians 13 gives a detailed description of what real love actually looks like, not the fantasy that our young girls have given into.
4. The Heavy Drinking Lifestyle is Worth Trying
Drinking and partying have always attracted teenagers, young adults and adults. Even though drinking alcohol itself is not sinful, it can be abused very easily in party situations. This is where the danger and lies begin to erode the moral foundation.
The movie TRAINWRECK is a perfect example of this lie that is being portrayed to teenagers, but specifically to young women. This movie is centered around a woman who as a child was taught not to believe in monogamy, which in turn leads her to excessive drinking, lots of partying and many one night stands with men she doesn’t know in her real adult life. Even though the main character learns an important life lesson at the end, the positive and “fun” portrayal of her drunken stupor in 80% of the movie entices young people, even those who only see the trailers. Add to the list the upcoming movie HOW TO BE SINGLE that encourages women to use their bodies as a means to get free drinks at bars. The message is demeaning, dangerous and opens up a world that is purely destructive.
Ephesians 5:18 simply says this about drinking: “Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” and Galatians 5:21 talks about this crazy lifestyle in general saying, “Envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” These are serious matters that God does not take lightly, and neither should we as we teach our young girls.
5. Sex Before Marriage is Worth It
While this last point could be the most obvious one, the lies many movies are telling about sex are causing a world of confusion for young girls, especially for those struggling with their identity. This is most evident in the mere fact that FIFTY SHADES OF GREY, a blockbuster erotic movie that created so much buzz and drew so much curiosity from women that it grossed $570 million worldwide. Besides the movie’s disgusting glorification of sexual violence, the story of a man seducing a young virgin into his sick sexual world has, as numerous studies show, detrimental effects on both young women and young men.
The Bible is very clear that sex is actually a very good and beautiful thing that God Himself created for a husband and wife to enjoy within the boundaries of marriage. However, the evilness of the world and devil desires people to abuse that gift, and through many of these movies, that gift is being destroyed for many, if not most teenagers. Sexual immorality is something that the Bible warns against in 1 Corinthians 6:18, saying, “Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body.” Colossians 3:5 also says “Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” We should be teaching our young girls the importance of sex inside the context of marriage and that waiting for that special gift is when the true beauty of intimacy buds.
These lies are bombarding young women, who are falling prey to them, and while God is full of forgiveness, and His grace can redeem from any sin, we can help protect our young girls from a lot of pain and from being enticed into the world by teaching them Biblical principles and responses, and protecting them from media that attacks those principles.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
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