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2 5 h Youth Culture 2 The World Will She's Slaying More Than Vampires Be Watching example of something that might even remember. The result is a The Youth Culture Newsletter has have been OK fifteen years ago, pregnancy. Of course she regularly informed its readers but has since fallen off the edge. agonizes over the decision "as about youth events and personal- Parents really can't take anything anyone really should," but, at the ities before they were front page much for granted today. end of the day, she has the items. Facebook and sexting were YCN articles well before they be- In the next issue of the comic book abortion. came household words. Lady Gaga, Buffy gets drunk at a party. She Today, unfortunately, Buffy is Justin Bieber, and Katy Perry were has sex with someone she can't slaying more than vampires. hardly known, even among youth, when they were featured here. Well, it has happened again. Two and a half years ago, in July 2009, the YCN featured the book, The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins. If you haven't heard of it by now, you soon will. Parents and Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one youth workers should be out front of those "cute" television shows. on this youth culture event! Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, it The Hunger Games will be released ran from 1997 to 2003 with the on March 23rd. Fandango, the movie story line of a ditzy high school ticket seller, announced that girl who also happened to be the advance sales for the movie have fiercest vampire slayer on the shattered the records set two years planet. ago by The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. It was the classic story line of In the first 24 hours hundreds of good versus evil, where good theaters were sold out. Two sequels are already in the works. always triumphed. The signs of the times say this will When the TV show got canceled be big. See page two for more it was spun off into a comic book Write to us at: [email protected] details. series. It has become another Previous issues (searchable) are available at www.kairos-na.org/Special_Archives It is worth revisiting the Hunger tickets now. Go to the movie with Games story line. It is set in the fu- your teens. (Note: it is rated PG-13 ture after the human population has for intense violence, thematic been decimated by war and climate material and disturbing images.) change. North America is one coun- Also remember, this is Hollywood. try (named Panem) with 12 fenced- Any story of good vs. evil needs its in districts that all work to feed the villain and its heroes. The movie has enormously wealthy and technolo- them. The heroine is definitely gically advanced Capitol. Katniss and the viewer will want to Capitol keeps the districts under its defend her. Often, but not always control by organizing an annual, her motives are noble. The moral mandatory-to-watch, reality TV choices she faces are often difficult game show in which 24 teens are and her circumstances quite dire. her skill at killing with the bow, and Mockingjay are already in the chosen at random to fight to the The real discussion is about what a bit of luck, Katniss wins the game works as is the video game. death. Only one survivor will go forces are at work in our world that of murder. home -- triumphant, rich and Most youth who see the movie will are moving us towards a sick world popular. Expect the movie to be a big event be impressed by the acting, action where reality TV controls the life of Katniss Everdeen, 16 (played by in the high school world. Most teens and cinematography. They will like a nation and people cheer teens on academy award nominee Jennifer will see it. Virtually every teen will the pretty girls, the cute boys, the to murder one-another. fame and popularity. Lawrence) lives in the poorest know about it. Why? The theme The YCN works to tell you what is district. Her mother and sister only song for the movie, Taylor Swift's What's a parent to do? hot in the youth culture world and survive thanks to her illegal bow- Safe and Sound is the #1 music video Don't miss the opportunity! If it is how it might impact youth. hunting outside the district’s fence. this week on MTV. The sequels to likely that your teens will be around With the help of her promo team, the movie, Catching Fire and those who talk about this, get The Hunger Games will be hot.

SIGNS OF IMPACT' necklaces, bracelets and tattos. The Prepare yourself for an advertising jewelry will cost upwards from $20. onslaught on everything hunger Also don't be surprised when games. As the film claims in its teenage girls come home sporting an equivocal caption: the world will be orange backpack or braiding their hair watching – or at least Lionsgate Films in the style of Katniss Everdeen, as hopes to make it so. pictured right. There are hundreds of There will be some significant signs of instructional videos on Youtube the impact of The Hunger Games. already. One will be jewelry/body fashions. Also expect an increase in the number The mockingjay emblem (pictured of girls who sign up for the bow and left) will soon adorn pins, brooches, arrow workshop at summer camp.