I don't think that you should be using Mean Girls as a reference for society in general.

Just because a lot of people believe something doesn't make it true.

I'm sure some kids in Uganda would totally agree.

They're starving because of a Lindsay Lohan movie.

Sure, that must be it.

Oh yeah, because that totally happens.

What world are you living in exactly?

You just threw away what little credibility you had to begin with.

You need to take a look at the world around you before passing judgment on it.

Comparing someone to a "crackpot" is seriously offending and out of context in an intelligent discussion. To be honest your aggressive replies are simply too rude and obnoxious.

To a certain extent it can. If you really examine creative arts well you will be able to see that they are a reflection of current society. Mean Girls portrays suburban middle/high class kids and their stereotypical shallow behaviour. Yes it is a pretty generic and the movie is not a very clear representation. However it does show how teens judge each other by the clothes they wear or how much parties they throw. It shows how many teens are now becoming mindless sheep who only care about popularity and superficial looks.

That's true but unless you're blind or live under a rock, one will observe how society isn't really displaying a good example for kids (especially role models) and kids do imitate role models.

Wow your sarcasm is really intelligent. You are taking this argument to a completely different context. This person is obviously discussing the developed world. The developing world has other issues to deal with so if you want to discuss them do it in a logical manner and don't be rude.

Honestly quit being an annoyance. You have seriously ticked me off by your "smartass attitude". Yes kids in many industrialised countries are becoming too corrupted by society. I've taught kids at a point and in my life and I was horrified to see how some have lost all their innocence and care more about shallow aspects, such as looks.

I don't know, but I think you are throwing away your credibility with your agressive and unreasonable behaviour. If you want to create an intelligent discussion reply in a polite manner and don't sound like a raving lunatic.

I suggest that you go back and read my post.
You'll see that I didn't personally attack her at all.
I only criticized what she was saying.
I'll admit that my post was idiotic.
But I had little choice when replying to such garbage.

I would argue that using a Lindsay Lohan movie as a reference to the world in general is quite mindless in itself.
I would prefer if she had used a real-life example as opposed to "this thing that happened in a movie."

I really don't understand all this stuff about how society is going down the drain these days.
People should remember that just a century or two ago, child labour was still widespread in the so-called developed world (since that's what we're talking about, right?).
Children are happier today more than ever and they have more freedom to make something of their lives.
I don't know where a girl who's 2 years older than me gets off telling everyone how great it was in "the good old days."

I think that children in the developing world are just as relevant to this discussion.
I'll admit that I was just being an asshole with that comment though.
But it's no worse than claiming that 3 year-olds are carrying guns.

Just because you disagree with what I said doesn't mean that you have to personally attack me. There is a difference between calling my replies idiotic and actually calling me an annoying smartass.
I've volunteered with kids and I have two younger sisters, one of which I helped raise. So I also know what I'm talking about here in case you're trying to claim experiential superiority over me.
I'll admit that maybe kids are obsessed with looks and superficial things, but at least they're not down the mines.
Also, most of them will grow out of it eventually.

...says the person who just called me an annoying smartass.
If either you or Cherry_Ripe21 want to provide facts and figures about toddler drug abuse and gun crime then by all means go ahead.
Seriously, I am willing to drop this now if you are too and we can continue this discussion in a civil way.
I just want you to know that I was criticizing Cherry_Ripe21's crackpot theories about how "things were so great 10 years ago" and how these days "5 year olds are smoking weed and carrying guns."
I was not personally attacking her, so please don't personally attack me.

I read your post pretty well. Excuse me but that doesn't justify comparing someone to a crackpot. All your posts seem an attack to whatever she says. Also her opinions are not garbage so respect them.

But fair enough, as everything evolves, so do the children of this generation, so maybe i should just simply shut my mouth and watch 3 year olds wearing mini skirts and knee high boots, 5 year olds carrying guns/weapons in their lunch box and 3 year olds smoking dope with their "responsible" older "wiser" family members.

Your point? Lindsay didn't make the movie but the directors/scriptwriters did. The movie also displays many events which happen in reality which I've seen myself. So it is a reality reflected and provided on a medium: a movie.

You don't? Let me give you an example. Well I remember when I was a kid how being a drug addict was something looked down onto. Now it seems that being a drug addict is something "hip". Same goes for anorexia, cheating and multiple relationships at the same time. Children are more free (which is a really good thing) but still some children are taking choices which are destroying their lives thanks to the role models provided by the current society.

Also a century ago the present developed world was actually developing so please keep that in mind before comparing and considering child labour. 50 years ago my country was a developing one but now in the present we have become more financially independent.

I assure you it wasn't perfect back then but it certainly was better for some kids back then in suburban areas in the developed world. And honestly I don't get why you think I'm "telling everyone off" or being bossy just because "I'm two years older". I'm just stating the facts as I see them so quit trying to be the victim here.

Of course they are revelant. I have read about how much these kids suffer and I feel for them. But if you have to point it out show with intelligent arguments. Tell the people about how children are exploited and sold as commodities as "pleasure objects" and point out how they never live their childhood because as soon as a girl hits 13 she gets married off to get rid of the "financial weight". But clarify this, rather than being sarcastic about starving kids in Uganda, because not everyone understands what you're talking about.

I am not personally attacking you. I'm simply pointing out how biased your words are. You are implying your opinions are superior to the thread poster and you're being sarcastic to her posts. Trust me, it's not fun to read it. Maybe you should consider posting in a more coherent and reasonable manner rather than calling someone's opinion "garbage".

Also I am not referring to my experience to show my superiority. I am doing so to show you from my experience that some kids are getting corrupted by society. It's not nice seeing kids bully a kid because she/he is considered "fat" or "ugly" and I've seen it in many cases muself. They might grow out of it but the kid who gets bullied might end up with an inferiority complex because of this.

I am discussing in a civil manner but you are calling people's opinion "garbage" or "crackpot theory". That is not civil at all. You are drawing this picture that I'm taking out some personal attack on you but to be frank, I rarely get personal unless I've known this person on a personal basis rather than a forum. I don't know you at all so I cannot judge you. I never claimed I was two years older than you or anything of that sort to show my "telling off". I called you annoying because your attitude was seriously annoying/rude and your sarcastic replies suggested a smartass attitude. No one in this thread was as rude as you were even if they didn't completely agree and now that I'm showing you how rude you are, you decide to turn the tables and be the victim to make me look like "the bad guy".

If you want to discuss something don't be rude and respect everybody's opinion because everyone has different experiences and come from different environments. You have to respect that or else you'll sound insulting.

I'm sure that if you read the news you will see many issues relating kid problems. A while ago a young girl died because she wanted to be a model and she became anorexic. Also I'm sure you read of various school shootings/drug trafficing in schools that happen frequently. Our college was frequently raided because teens there trafficed drugs.

However the picture is not so bleak. Luckily though we still have some good role models like Chuck Norris who has provided a fantastic series which has inspired many people to start over and be more satisfied in their lives.

Now I'm sorry, but that is not an opinion.
I honestly don't know what else I can say about that.

My point was that she should give facts rather than refer to a scene from a movie to prove her point.

I'm honestly not trying to be the victim at all.
There is no victim as far as I can see.
Just two differing opinions.
And I was referring to the OP as the girl who is two years older than me.
Also, anorexia and drug addiction are not seen as "hip" in this country at all.
It happens a lot but it isn't exactly looked kindly upon.

I totally agree with you in this case and maybe I should have clarified exactly what I meant.
I think the way that children in the developing world are ignored while we deal with our comparatively tiny problems is just sickening.

I was just pointing out that in the same post as you told me to stop being rude, you accused me of being both annoying and a smartass.

I'm not saying I'm a victim or anything, I was just pointing that out.

I'm not trying to make you look like the bad guy.
Anyone reading this thread can clearly see that I was the one being confrontational.
I just thought it was sort of strange of you to tell me to be more civil and then call me a smartass.
But I do see your point.

I'm just too used to getting angry and dogmatic when I voice my opinions.
I should probably mention that I was in the Scottish Socialist Youth for a few years and so I blame my argumentative ways on that.

Yeah, I live just outside Glasgow, which has more heroin addicts than the rest of the country.
It's also the poorest city in Scotland.
I still think that the major problem for children the world over is still poverty and we should deal with that first before worrying about what they wear or people swearing on TV.

YES
Chuck Norris is like unto a GOD
Chuck Norris was once on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and was the first to spin.
The next 29 minutes of the show consisted of everyone standing around awkwardly, waiting for the wheel to stop.

Yes it is. According to the dictionary an opinion is a personal view or belief. And Cherry_Ripe21 is providing her personal view of how she sees young kids in the present.

If a teenage girl weighs over 50kgs she's considered "fat" and whoever is skinny to the point of being unhealthy is glorified.

Yes that is so true. Personally I am disgusted at how many developed companies exploit these countries and how kids are treated cheaply like commodities. I've studied a study unit at school about developing countries and I was horrified. However we still have our problems too so they must be considered.

Sorry, but it's not like I could've said you were being nice since your responses were sarcastic and rude. If you replied minus the sarcasm & rudeness I wouldn't have told you you were being annoying.

I called you a smartass because you were acting like a know-it-all and your rude attitude was annoying.

I guess but it offends people

Poverty is certainly one of the biggest problems but the kids of today are the adults of tomorrow and they must learn to become responsible adults to make a better world. I could care less about swearing but personally I wish my kids would respect themselves and wear decent clothes, rather than try to be like Paris Hilton or something. Being sexy is fine and fun but only when you're grown up enough to take care of yourself.

Er... I don't get this but it sounds something sarcastic again. Hope not. Anyhow I only mentioned him because he's a fairly good example for young people which is something rare for modern day stars.

You have to admit that 3 year olds smoking dope is not based in reality at all though.

That is quite bad and I agree that something has to be done about it.
But at least children in developed countries have enough food these days.

My point from the beginning was that things are actually better now than they have ever been and society isn't going down the drain like the OP implied.

It is true that we do have our own problems but I like to think of things on a global scale.
I think that we should pay more attention to the plight of children in poorer countries as well as our own.

I can be an asshole sometimes and I apologise.
But my point still stands.
5 year olds don't carry guns, 3 year olds don't smoke dope and there was swearing on TV when I was a kid.
I just don't like it when I see people who are obviously far-right conservatives making unfounded claims that society is worse than ever these days.

I was actually quite offended by the OP at first because she gave no facts and then claimed that things are getting worse for children.

Just keep me away from politics and I'm a nice guy, honestly.

I agree with you but I think that there should be more emphasis on developing countries.
Eating disorders in rich countries are a problem.
Although I'll be saving my sympathies for poverty-stricken orphans sold into slavery rather than rich kids who want to look like Paris Hilton.

Oh, it's a Chuck Norris fact.
Everyone knows them.
http://www.thechucknorrisfacts.com/

...today's society is so sad...girls looking up to fake people who use all that makeup to hide their true features and convince girls that's what is beautiful. Over-the-top sexual artists like Jessica Simpson and Koda Kumi encouraging girls to take their clothes off and that's what is sexy. It's so pitiful. I believe we women are all beautiful & we don't have to belittle ourselves to fit in. Screw society; I'm gonna be myself...and I'm beautiful just that way!