Sexting Gone Wild: Who’S Doing It and Why for Me
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Ohr Chadash 14 Ohr Chadash 15 14A | SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 | ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT | Visit WWW. STLJEWISHLIGHT.COM Visit WWW. STLJEWISHLIGHT.COM | ST. LOUIS JEWISH LIGHT | SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 | 15A Sexting gone wild: who’s doing it and why for me. Take a dirty picture,” sing Taio Cruz and Katie, who attends Lafayette High School. ed on the Internet or passed around among BY AKRITI PANTHI Ke$ha in their hit song, “Picture.” Researchers have formed their own conclu- peers. The prevalence of sexting in the modern sions about this new trend. According to www. “Sexting is inappropriate because you never world could contribute to its rodale.com, Debby know what the other person could do with your any teens continue to feel pressured to appeal, but some teens see Herbenick, associate picture. Most of my friends send sexts to people try drinking, drugs, and sex, but recently M other motivations to sext. director of the Center that they do not know that well,” said Joe, 16, a new trend has been in fashion: sexting. “I think most people are curi- for Sexual Health who goes to Parkway Central High. The majority of us are familiar with alcohol, ous about what sexting really is. Promotion at Indiana According to www.wiredsaftey.org, expert drugs, and sex, but what exactly is sexting? I know I was when I began State University, said, Parry Aftab, a lawyer who specializes in Internet “Sexting is all about getting the nude pictures. doing it. My friends would “Sexting can be a form and privacy issues claims on ABC News, said, Without the pictures it is just dirty talk, and always say that they felt really of identity exploration “44 percent of the high school boys that we those pictures surely stimulate more senses,” dirty doing it, but it was enjoy- and expression. have polled have seen at least one naked picture Festival of Nations fosters cultural awareness said Jake, 17, who attends Clayton High School. able,” said Mariah, a 17-year-old Teenagers are often of a female classmate, and the boys are sharing Like other teens in this story, he agreed to speak Ladue high school student. trying to figure out their pictures too.” with Ohr Chadash on the basis that his real BY HANNAH CROPF the commonality of traditions, to sample food and In an informal survey of 3 who they are, how to This type of exposure could lead to constant name not be used because of the sensitive crafts from all over the world, all under the cozy adolescents in the St. Louis express their feelings, harassment and embarrassment. Moreover, the or two days each year, Tower Grove Park is trans- nature of the material. shade of majestic trees at Tower Grove Park.” region, 10 girls and 12 boys and how to connect two involved may even be charged with produc- formed into a colorful, musical, cultural melting pot. The commonly known definition of sexting is F This theme of diversity and international accep- admitted to understanding why with friends or people tion or distribution of child pornography. In sev- This year, those days were Saturday, Aug. 28 and Sunday, sending nude pictures via text message. tance is one all Jews can relate to. someone would sext, while less they have romantic eral states, including Missouri, sexting is illegal. Aug. 29. The event, appropriately titled the Festival of However, in the sexting world, the definition is “Traditionally, Jews have been very tuned in to than half of the group admitted feelings for. It is not Adolescents throughout the nation have faced Nations, gathered enormous crowds for two days of cele- quite loose. Teens have defined sexting as issues having to do with immigration and resettle- to being involved in sexting. surprising that sexting felony charges for this activity. brating St. Louis' diverse ethnic populations, which includ- engaging in some sort of photographical con- ments,” said Batya Abramson-Goldstein, Executive They all believed that sexting is is one of the many “I stopped sexting after hearing about how all ed demonstrations and samplings of food, music, dance versation, where body parts are not explicitly Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council, either a result of hormones or ways that teenagers of these teens face charges, even if it was and other cultural activities. shown, or just sending sexually arousing mes- a close partner with the International Institute. “Our peer pressure. explore.” between two people that were in a serious rela- Sprawled across Tower Grove Park’s 289 acres were sages. own history brings us to an understanding of what “I began sexting after hearing While some believe tionship,” Jake said. “But, I enjoyed the experi- booths offering everything from savory ethnic food to “I realized that the pictures I had sent were it’s like to be an immigrant, like when European Jews that my friends did it. At first sexting may be posi- ence and I don’t regret it.” handcrafted toys. For those willing to sit still amidst all the never full-on nude pictures. They were always first came to America. Even going way back to the was unsure of myself, but I soon tive for the two people Maybe teens want to express their sexuality, excitement, calligraphers, henna artists and hair braiders revealing, and held a sex appeal,” Katie, 15, said. Bible, it speaks of the way Jewish people should came to see that it really helped engaging in the activi- avoid having sex, or are just curious. However, worked diligently. ust walking a few feet would arouse all Sexting has recently appeared in pop culture respond to strangers, for ‘we were strangers in the with my confidence. Many boys ty, what happens if the before teens engage in this activity they should the senses, what with vivid traditional garments on display, as well. “I need to see a picture of you. A special land of Egypt.’” expect a lot of action and this way it shows them sext spreads? That revealing picture, which is remember that the consequences can be severe. multicultural music blaring over loudspeakers and of picture just for me, yeah. So take a dirty picture the body without having to get physical,” said only meant to reach one person, could be post- course, the aroma of tasty foreign delicacies. Not only does the Festival of Nations spread While food and other items were available for purchase, awareness and diversity, it brings the St. Louis com- a full wallet wasn’t needed to enjoy the event. In fact, munity together. admission to the festival was completely free, as were its According to the plethora of musical and dance performances. International Institute’s TV show's portrayal of Jews receives mixed opinions But the Festival of Nations is more than a spectacle. website, iistl.org, 125,00 While the food, dance, and music are popular attractions, visitors flock to the Festival of Nations each year. sour pork from a Chinese takeout restaurant. In the they serve a greater purpose than just amusement. Its par- BY CALEB ELLIS same episode, Puck is urged by his mother to date a ent organization, the International Institute It’s no wonder why. Ohr Chadash Staf Jew, so he sets his sights on fellow Glee club Jew, of St. Louis, makes sure of that. Between the exotic cuisine, ox’s recent hit television series “Glee” has quickly Rachel. This culminates in a short-lived adolescent Since its founding in 1919, the all-day music and dancing, Femerged as a front-runner in a mess of shows romance, plagued by social disgrace and unresolved Editors-in-Chief International Institute has been dedicated to children’s activities, and offered nowadays. The simple charm and comedy feelings for other members of the club. The two soon Abby Abrams reaching out to refugees and immigrants the international bazaar, that follows the misfits that make up the show’s glee realize that there is little attraction towards each across St. Louis. The organization is struc- there’s something for club has attracted fans of all ages, backgrounds and Madison Ginsberg other beyond their Jewish heritage. They break up, tured around three pillars: immersion, everyone at the Festival of beliefs. with Puck claiming that he feels like “a bad Jew.” investment and inclusion for over 9,000 new Nations. Plus, it promotes The series is set in fictional William McKinley High Managing Editors “Although I felt like their relationship wasn’t Americans a year. The first two pillars are a good cause—a sense of School in Lima, Ohio, a typical American suburb. It is meant to be, I really enjoyed it. It was fun to see two Hannah Cropf addressed through the Institute’s numerous community among St. the mission of Spanish teacher William Schuester characters who share my faith be represented on the Melanie Cytron and multilayered aid programs, from Louisans, wherever their (Matthew Morrison) to revive the school’s choir club, show together,” Schoenburg said. English classes to micro-finance funding. roots lie. and assert it as the best in the nation. This is by no Given the show’s wide age range among fans, The final pillar, inclusion, is the focus of the “Too often people are means a simple task: the socially rejected nature of Staf multiple generations have taken notice to the addi- Festival of Nations. As the Institute not aware of St. Louis’ rich Glee club fends off many of the most applicable stu- Haley Abramson tion of Jews. President and CEO Anna Crosslin put it, the cultural diversity. The dents.