Parents Appreciate Help!

I don't know what it is about today. 

First, I was reading about Apple, Inc. Over the past few days, they made the business decision to tighten it's restrictions on sexy or suggestive apps for the iPhone and iPod Touch.

Apple executive Phil Schiller explained, "It came to the point where we were getting customer complaints from women who found the content getting too degrading and objectionable, as well as parents who were upset with what their kids were able to see."

Personally, I'm pleasantly surprised an American company made this move. I LOVE the decision. It's a rare stand for doing something the right way. 

But what bugs me is the response from several people that didn't agree with the decision. One of the best-articulated was this one from a guy named Scott: 

"Appears parents are too busy to monitor their kids own activities so Apple must take care of it for them – perhaps they should also contact their local cable company and internet provider so they don't have to raise their own children or monitor what they are doing.....just reflects the status of our current society where many parents place the responsibility for raising their own children on schools/companies."   

What bugs me is...why do parents always come off as the bad guys for standing up for their kids and others' kids?! Of course, parents should monitor activities...of course, parents need to be hands-on and involved...but that doesn't mean they don't appreciate (or demand) a little help from society and the companies where we shop. If our teenagers have access to everything out there--and it's totally on the parent to monitor and restrict--then all parents are always the bad guy to their teen (and they get that enough already). 

Here are some other responses to the same news:

"Good move apple. Be pro-kid!"  -Will

"I agree with Apple and glad they are taking a stand for our children."  -Wayne

"Great job, Apple! I agree! It is objectionable, to more than a few, and it degrades people and our society as a whole! If you don't like what Apple is doing, create your own electronic line!"  -Chris

"Way to go Apple – parents of teenagers around the world applaud this decision." -John

And there were plenty more along those lines. 

Check out a similar story from "The Dr's" TV show. They were talking today about obesity in teenagers and all the long-term healthy problems that result from that. They even mentioned how school districts have lots of junk food and carbonated soda's that contribute heavily to this. One school even had a "Snack Cart" that they would wheel out every day at lunch and it was just loaded with junk food. Of course, the kids were all over it. One day, the principal was asked, "Don't you think the school should be a better example to the students about what being 'healthy' entails?" The principal replied, "We are not their parents. If a parent does not want their teenage student to eat this type of food, then they should not allow their student to buy it." 

Good grief, I about had a fit! That same argument! Putting everything on parents and not providing any help whatsoever. It made me doubly-appreciative of Leander ISD...they started a healthy food initiative about 4 years ago and have only healthy snacks available around school now. 

All this to say, parents should parent...which means keeping track of, monitoring, and guiding their kids. But parents also deserve help from society in raising their children. It also makes me appreciate HighPoint so much more...having my daughter surrounded and loved by healthy, believing adults...what a cool place to be.

Last note: I've got some serious changes to make in our youth ministry. Though our snacks have gotten healthier over the past year or so, we still have some changes to do. Please be praying about that!