21st Century Teens

The show began with a brief introduction into the different roles that our parents give us from an early age. This is referred to as social (and gender) construction. Many of the female presenters stated that they were expected to wash the dishes and do various other chores that are typically described as “women’s work”. One of the male presenters stated that in his experience Xhosa men did not have to do the dishes. Culturally his role as a man, firstly and as a husband later on in his life would not lie in the kitchen. One of the callers pointed out that this should not be used as an excuse though for not doing supposedly female chores like washing the dishes for himself.

An interview was conducted with the Head Girl of Norman Henshilwood, who spoke about the different activities she is engaged in. she also touched on the pressures experienced by herself and may other teenagers today. The following skit was performed:

Narrator: Far, far away on top of the highest mountain, there lived the world’s maddest scientist in his castle. The mad scientist was scheming away….

[lightning]

Mad Scientist: I’ve done it! I have created the ultimate 21st century teen!

[laughs]

Igor: Yessss Massster

Mad Scientist: Thank you Igor, you may now help me conduct experiments on it. First, we see if it’s alive, pull the lever Igor!

[chain sounds]

Igor: IT’S ALIVE, IT’S ALIVE!

Mad Scientist: This is indeed my greatest invention. You see Igor, the perfect teen not only gets 100% at school but also the social abilities of a pop star.

Igor: I see massster.

Mad Scientist: We’ve given him four arms to do Mxit and his homework and eat at the same time.

Igor: How will it do all that with one pair of eyes?

Mad Scientist: Simple Igor, I gave it an extra pair of eyes. Come now Igor… it is the ultimate teen. We gave it two stomachs…this teen is bullet-proof, knife-proof, water-proof, fire-proof and completely resistant to any drug including alcohol.

Igor: Masster, you’re a genius!

Mad Scientist: I know Igor, I know.

Igor: Masster, what about depression?

Mad Scientist: Igor…you know, it is suicide-proof. The body has an endorphin reserve so it never gets sad.

Igor: Wow! What type of music does it like?

Mad Scientist: Rock, pop, Hip-Hop and occasionally a touch of jazz. Anything really, I have programmed it to be able to dance to any type of music.

Igor: But masster…. What will it look forward to if it’s life is already perfect?

Mad Scientist: Uh…….um…..uh…..

Igor: You see masster… this thing is useless. It completely lacks the essence of a 21st century teen not to mention the struggle of life. It’s basically a robot. It’s just a product of what society expects of a 21st century teen. It’s the good and the bad that makes them 21st century teens.

[long silence]

Mad Scientist: SHUT UP IGOR!