Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Selfies
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be selfies.
Don't let 'em pick filters and smile like a duck
Let 'em be doctors, and lawyers and such.
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be selfies.
'Cause with selfie syndrome they're always on their phones
Tryin' to be someone to love
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Selfies are easy to take and simple to post
But there's much more to this life than who's "liked" the most.
Filtered perfection; a sense of connection
So many facades to portray
But you must understand that pompous conceit
And Vanity kills empathy.
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be selfies.
Don't let 'em pick filters and smile like a duck
Let 'em be doctors, and lawyers and such.
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be selfies.
'Cause with selfie syndrome they're always on their phones
Tryin' to be someone to love
I really enjoy Instagram for its visual aspect. For the most part, my IG feed includes photography enthusiasts, artists, designers, etc. posting photos of beautiful things.
Yesterday I discovered the "explore Instagram" feature where Instagram suggests to me the Instagram that they think I should explore.
Gone were the cool photos of my hometown. Gone were the rainbows and barn photos and sunsets and ocean waves.
This Instagram that Instagram suggested I explore transported me down a rabbit hole into a world that in no way resembles my day-to-day existence.
As a visitor to this alter-universe of IG, I made a few observations. The women who live in Explore Instagram World are all between size 0 and size 2. They have flawless skin, Pantene-commercial-worthy-hair, and wear fashions that would require me to mortgage my home to afford. They're always smiling (or kissy-facing) and their best side always finds the camera lens.
I don't want to live in Explore Instagram World. It made me so sad because there's an entire generation being raised in a culture where this is their "normal".
Seriously. There was not a single flaw to be seen in all the photos I viewed. Just perfect looking people in perfect looking poses living perfect looking lives.
I'm 42 and I'm relatively self-assured and confident. I cannot even IMAGINE how my 14 year old self would've struggled if that had been my "normal".
Granted I had the pages of Seventeen magazine to contend with but, I mean. Those were models. I had a basic realization that they were "exceptions," sort of.
Oh my.
What also struck me about Explore Instagram World was the makeup. So. Much. Makeup. Well. I mean. Sometimes it's hard to decipher between makeup and filters. But. I believe it's safe to say there were both in play.
I'm sad for young girls who are discovering themselves and trying to establish their self-confidence in this culture of filtered perfection. Ugh.
I'm sad for these women of Explore Instagram World who are setting themselves up for a lifetime of challenges as they navigate the aging process.
Generally, I'm a "you-be-you-and-I'll-be-me" kinda gal, but, this really concerns me.
My mother worked hard to teach me the virtue that true beauty comes from within. It develops out of good character.
There is certainly nothing wrong with outward beauty, but it should harmonize with inward beauty. And inward beauty cannot be faked with an Instagram filter.
There's not a selfie stick long enough to hide a hollow soul. So,
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be selfies. Don't let 'em pick filters and smile like a duck. Let 'em be doctors, and lawyers and such…
Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be selfies. 'Cause with selfie syndrome they're always on their phones, Tryin' to be someone to love.
*"Selfies" performed by Shae Taylor. Lyrics by Angela Folds. Based on the original song, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys written by Ed and Patsy Bruce.
Originally posted at creativedaycafe.blogspot.com.
