Where is the reality?

How are teens portrayed by the news media, especially those living in large cities?

I think coverage falls into two stereotypes: those with a hard edge who live a life of lawlessness; the other shows those who survive and thrive against the odds.

Here's an example of the former, but from the suburbs:



Does the fact that I can't find an example of the hard urban teen mean that it is just assumed that urban teens are like that? (but I digress ....)

The reality, of course, is more complicated. Take Devontae, our Blog helper. He lives on Chicago's South side. He goes to a Catholic school. He's hoping to play forward on the basketball team. He has a cell phone and has free text messaging. just got his report card and he did well: 2 A's; 2B's and 2C's. He says he'll try harder in World History and Art. But he's a good student. That's what HE says. He has high expectations for himself. He wants to be an obstetrician.

My 14-year-old? He wants to be an engineer. He has a cell phone and texts rather than calls. My son is Asian. Devontae is black. Both have dreams. Both will succeed. Two different experiences. Two different families with hopes for their children. Where are those dreams on TV? Where is the reality?



It's a good news story ... but it AIN'T on local or network TV!

Don