Faith and Life: A reality TV show held in low esteem

I was recently sick with bronchitis. But the doctor said I was no longer contagious, so I decided to continue seeing patients treating my symptoms. Before and after appointments each day, I rested more than I have in a long time, and I did what I haven’t done in years: I watched a lot, I mean oodles, of television.

While my kids were awake, I sat bundled up with them in the evenings watching their favorite shows. It was great quality time. Once they went to bed, I found I could not lie down without hacking, so I propped up in bed and turned on my TV.

This is when I came across “The Bachelor.” I had been reading many of my friends’ posts on Facebook about their “Bachelor” addiction, so I tuned in to an episode.

As I snuggled up for some entertainment, I was simply appalled. I am not old-fashioned or judgmental of people’s lifestyles. What dismayed me was the lack of value these young women put on themselves.

Never in even my wildest of teen years when I wandered from the Lord would I have dated a male who was seeing other girls. As a young adult, it would have been unheard of for me. I just have too much self respect.

And that did not come from being raised in some kind of a perfect, Christian home — far from it. I just put value on myself on many levels. I was saddened by these girls fighting, crying, getting depressed and kissing a man who was dating and eyeing other women. Why would they even want him?

My thoughts went immediately to my own girls. I am by no means an overbearing mom — cautious and attentive — but not overbearing. I do not love my kids conditionally and expect them to make the choices I want them to in life. I lead, teach, love and direct; I do not lord over them.

However, there are a few very bad choices they could make that would wield my strong instruction to them — one being how men should treat them and what they should expect in the dating experience. Those choices and behavior will lead to a life of how they allow others to view, care for and love them. It will shape their self image, value of themselves and self insight. And there are too many women out there allowing men to treat them poorly, objectively or subjectively.