"Whole Mother", teen suicide, and why commercial media is worthless.

[lostnfound]

I am listening right now to a weekly program on KPFT called "Whole Mother", which is devoted to 'the feminine' & peace, particularly the challenges of raising one's children in a peaceful, whole, natural, loving way, despite living in a violent, commercialized, materialistic world.

(Previous shows have covered such things as natural childbirth, war/anti-war issues from a mother's perspective, breastfeeding, Waldorf schools, autism/vaccines, etc.)

This week's topic is teen suicide. What an important topic to discuss! I don't think I've heard it discussed -- other than in an exploitive, sensational way -- since I was in middle school 30 years ago.

It occurred to me -- Are we likely to see an hour show on teen suicide on the commercial networks?? Why not? -- Maybe because it puts you in a bad mood for shopping?

[bleedingheart]

1. because to discuss it properly you must have a thoughful discussion

and it doesn't involve anyone eating centipedes...so it won't get the air time unless it is on a public broadcast channel which even the moronic tv critic for the Post Gazette derides as "boring".

[mopinko]

2. can they please talk to dads too

jeez, aren't we passed the idea that raising kids is women's work?

[bleedingheart]

3. they could do that on the "Man Show"

but seriously...I do agree both Dad's and Mom's are involved but I think this program was strictly geared towards mothers based on the original poster.

[Meldread]

4. Teen Suicide is a *REALLY* important issue.

Being someone who is probably a bit younger than the average poster here (22) I know many people who are just now entering adulthood from being a teenager, and the vast majority of them have either attempted or harbor suicidal thoughts.

It is even worse for gay teens who have an even HIGHER likelihood of committing suicide. I, myself, understand where they come from because I grew up with those same feelings. It's an issue that is very important to me and one that I feel should be heavily discussed.

Even more important is the question of: Why? What are we doing wrong as a society to make so many people, especially young people, feel so horrible, so incredibly hopeless that they harbor suicidal thoughts?

[lostnfound]

5. Yes it is. But REALLY important issues AREN'T discussed on TV

in this brave new world. Because it interferes with the primary purpose of television, which is to sell more stuff.

If you're feeling depressed..take a pill. go out and shop. have a drink. Consume something. Don't bother us with your interior life.

Better yet, don't have an interior life. A sheep doesn't need one.

[Green Lantern]

6. Loss of hope

and loneliness, sense of futility of it all becomes pervasive. So many issues surrounding this question. You have hit the nail on the head, I believe.
Question is how to get the community to act to alter this scenario. The teens need to understand that there is a path out of the forest, that others care and will help.

[greenbriar]

7. I am hoping Cong (R) Todd Tihart will cover this issue

and make it his


His 16 year old son committed Suicide Saturday. His funeral is Wed.

[greenbriar]

8. He is from Kansas

.

[tom_paine]

9. Correct. You have unlocked the secret of TV

It is ALL a commercial...