I have a 15 year old boy. He has an Instagram account and i see that he follows a bunch of scantily clad women. I don't like it at all. I think it is really an objectification of women and i didnt raise him that way. BUT I don't want to make a mountain out of a mole hill. Should I - a) tell him to unfollow those accounts and explain why i think its bad. b) make him take them down and punish him for it. c) Ignore it because its just 15 year old curiosity and hormones? I don't want to overreact but I also don't want to perpetuate the boys will be boys mindset that allows so much sexual assault to go unchecked.
Calm and honest without accusation and condemnation. You can explain your position or concern without attacking his quite natural tendencies for a young male going through puberty with a boy's curiosity.
I am a little curious about your statement that you "...didn't raise him that way." What exactly is 'that way'?
To treat women as objects to possess.
@cmontes -- If that was the message he was raised with, then I wouldn't worry too much because those lessons tend to stay with us. Mine did. Though I would be sure to try to reinforce that message, I would be cautious so as not to get a backlash that is unwanted and unproductive. Also, give yourself permission to understand that you have done what you could. If it doesn't stick, it is not a failing on your part. All people, even our children, go their own way eventually and it isn't always to our liking.
Just ignore it. There is nothing shameful or immoral about male sexuality. If you show respect and set a good example as a human being, he can not help but respect you in return, and other women in suite.
The more you tell him not to follow , the more he is likely to rebell against you . I do think you need a mother son relationship between both of you. i am not an expert when it comes to family relationship. i think though instead of focusing on his rights and wrongs choice, take time to be in his world. it can be possible that he needs you and you are somehow not mentally and emotionally available. i am sure if you are , there is nothing but love you see in him.
D) take away his phone. it could be sex predotors.
The first part a C, and the later half of A. That's how I'd handle it.
I don't even know what that means
@cmontes it means I'd tell him what I dislike about it without punishing him and then try to ignore it into it becomes a problem because he's 15 and full of hoteliers and curiosity. In other words, how about sit down and have a non-reactive, non-threatening, normal conversation with your son before you fly off the handle.