What are your thoughts on...

Simply Fated

I don't get why the government needs to ban tanning beds for underage kids. They're dangerous for everyone, why not ban them for everyone?
Not that I think they should.
It's just that, what business is it of the governments what we do with our bodies in that way? Are they going to ban us from sitting outside in the sun to get a natural tan?  That's dangerous, too.

I tend to be liberal, but I don't feel that universal healthcare is worth it if it's going to infringe upon my right to eat a cheeseburger.

lindsayrae1986

Simply Fated:

they aren't requiring the gov't to BAN it for underage people...  but simply to require parental consent before allowing them to tan.  it's an extra step.  hopefully the parents are informed enough about the risks of tanning to prevent their child from tanning until the child has matured enough to make an intelligent decision.

a 16 year old who wants to tan to be considered pretty is NOT thinking about the long-term consequences of tanning...  she's thinking about being pretty.  that's it.

teenagers do NOT think long-term.  tanning has long-term consequences.  thus, teenagers should have GUIDANCE when considering partaking in an activity with long-term consequences.

i know i'm being super repetitive, but it's key to understand that teenagers are generally not capabale of making good, mature, intelligent decisions that have long-term consequences.  adults in their 20's (and older than 20's) generally make more mature decisions while considering the long-term risks and consquences.

PaigeMcC

*has opened a can of worms*

I love a lively NEY debate!

Hazel_B

The combination of my dad having skin cancer and my fair Scottish skin, I have a very proactive opinion.

I'm all for a ban under the age of majority re: tanning booths. As a Canadian that is constantly paying for people's stupid health decisions I think it is setting a good example for people to realize it is bad for you, like alcohol and smoking.

I also think it'd be a good idea to do the typical Canadian thing and tax the heck out of it for those that are majority. Our "sin" taxes on tobacco and alcohol, I think we can add tanning to that. Hopefully it'll offset our higher health costs due that activity.

Alot of this view comes from visiting my cousin in Australia and seeing skin cancer check clinics like they were Starbucks, eg on every corner. Australians, New Zealnders, and others in the Southern hemisphere have a hard time avoiding the sun, and we put ourselves in tanning beds? it's dumb.

StarGazingHiker

Personally, I am for them being taxed as well as parental permission being needed for minors. I tried tanning when I was in college, one of the tanning places were giving out free passes. It was right before a formal, so I tried it. To me, it was the scariest thing I'd ever done because I'm claustrophobic and I couldn't handle being in there, so I never tried it again. Knowing what I know now, I'm glad that I couldn't handle it.

I do think that the public needs to be more educated on the effects of tanning/sun exposure in general. Many people know the risks of sunburns/sun exposure, but I feel that more information about the potential dangers of tanning needs to be shared. This way,they will be educated and know the risks, then they can made an educated decision on whether or not they are willing to take those risks.

PaigeMcC

Children don't need to be tanning.  Period.

Once you reach the age of majority then you can do whatever you want to eff up your body.  I hate that I have to pay for it BUT that is part of universal healthcare and in order to receive the pros of this system I must deal with the cons as well.

For the record, I've never been in a tanning bed.  They scare the sh!t out of me.

Simply Fated

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:965c8c07-4ba9-42e0-9683-a3395822196c">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]Simply Fated: they aren't requiring the gov't to BAN it for underage people...  but simply to require parental consent before allowing them to tan.  it's an extra step.  hopefully the parents are informed enough about the risks of tanning to prevent their child from tanning until the child has matured enough to make an intelligent decision. a 16 year old who wants to tan to be considered pretty is NOT thinking about the long-term consequences of tanning...  she's thinking about being pretty.  that's it. teenagers do NOT think long-term.  tanning has long-term consequences.  thus, teenagers should have GUIDANCE when considering partaking in an activity with long-term consequences. i know i'm being super repetitive, but it's key to understand that teenagers are generally not capabale of making good, mature, intelligent decisions that have long-term consequences.  adults in their 20's (and older than 20's) generally make more mature decisions while considering the long-term risks and consquences.
Posted by lindsayrae1986[/QUOTE]
I think you're making a lot of generalizations and assumptions here.

Some don't care, I agree with that, but not all of them. That is a very unfair generalization. Aren't these the same kids who are studying for SATs and researching colleges? Clearly they do care about their long term future.

It's not that all (or most) 16 year olds don't care about the long term effects, it's that they aren't aware of them or believe they are real.

I don't see parental permission, in this case, as something that would work. Most of my friends got tattoos and piercings when they were underage because either they got legit parental permission or they forged their signatures. To me, it's just an illusion of authority. It'll make some people feel as though the kids are being taken care.

deburnin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:a88168f8-b032-4b95-b037-f74bd7e9d511">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE] i wanted to fit in with my friends and all the beautiful women i saw who were tanned. we need to change our mentality as a society.  we need to quit chasing youth and beauty to such an extent that we literally FRY our skin to try to be beautiful.  who you ARE is beautiful.
Posted by lindsayrae1986[/QUOTE]

<div>I find this interesting. I have plenty of friends (who are much darker than I) who would argue that paler skin is our society's ideal beauty. I feel like no matter what our skin color is we feel pressure to be something different. There was a time I would have killed for paler skin. Not anymore. It's not that I don't find paler skin attractive, it's just that now I'm happy with who I am and where I come from. I don't care as much about the pressure to look like other people.</div>

lindsayrae1986

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:e55d3ec5-8509-4896-bb4f-5acd312b50f5">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What are your thoughts on... : I think you're making a lot of generalizations and assumptions here. Some don't care, I agree with that, but not all of them. That is a very unfair generalization. Aren't these the same kids who are studying for SATs and researching colleges? Clearly they do care about their long term future. It's not that all (or most) 16 year olds don't care about the long term effects, it's that they aren't aware of them or believe they are real. I don't see parental permission, in this case, as something that would work. Most of my friends got tattoos and piercings when they were underage because either they got legit parental permission or they forged their signatures. To me, it's just an illusion of authority. It'll make some people feel as though the kids are being taken care.
Posted by Simply Fated[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>okay.</div><div>
</div><div>i had a really long spill typed out, but i deleted it because i tend to get emotional about it.</div><div>
</div><div>so we'll each have our own opinions.  my opinion is that it should be made harder for underage people to tan, probably best done with a combination of parental consent + making it part of a "sin tax" + education of the effects of tanning in the long-term.</div><div>
</div><div>and for the record, just because a kid is planning for college doesn't mean they have the capability to make mature long-term decisions.  college and good grades and SATs/ACTs are pushed by our educational system and by many parents.  the effects of tanning really are NOT addressed by authority.</div><div>
</div><div>kid planning for college =/= kid capable of mature, long-term decisions.  that's a big generalization right there.  :)</div><div>
</div><div>and it's not an unfair generalization.  go do your own research about the brain and it's maturity at different points in life, specifically where the brain is at concerning long-term thinking as a teenager and as an adult in their mid to late twenties.  HUGE difference.</div><div>
</div>

lindsayrae1986

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:ee59ba8b-ed3f-480a-8b3e-ad65ca9d91ed">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What are your thoughts on... : I find this interesting. I have plenty of friends (who are much darker than I) who would argue that paler skin is our society's ideal beauty. I feel like no matter what our skin color is we feel pressure to be something different. There was a time I would have killed for paler skin. Not anymore. It's not that I don't find paler skin attractive, it's just that now I'm happy with who I am and where I come from. I don't care as much about the pressure to look like other people.
Posted by deburnin[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>i think this is the attitude that society needs to adopt.  be happy with who you are and celebrate the differences.  sadly, it's not the case.  i'm still learning to accept myself; it's a long process.  i'm happy that you have arrived at that point!  :)

</div>

deburnin

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:b46033c4-2357-4318-a0a1-d92c8e8cd6a3">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What are your thoughts on... :<strong> i think this is the attitude that society needs to adopt.  be happy with who you are and celebrate the differences</strong>.  sadly, it's not the case.  i'm still learning to accept myself; it's a long process.  i'm happy that you have arrived at that point!  :)
Posted by lindsayrae1986[/QUOTE]

<div>I whole heartily agree with this. There are so many issues with body image in this country and even when people are trying to be positive about body images and more accepting they tend to put other people down. Like those FB groups that say: "Real woman aren't a size 0, they have curves." If you're a woman who is naturally a size zero that can be pretty damn hurtful. Sure they're trying to do something positive and bring attention to the fact that not all women are Hollywood size, but they're playing on other women's insecurities to do so.</div>

jeanacorina

I worked at a salon and tanned all through high school. I was brown as a bear and LOVED it.

That said, now I'm 27 and wear at least SPF 15 every day. When I was a teenager I knew the risks, but thought I was invincible. I think a lot of teens think like that. They should probably need a parent's supervision if they're going to tan. I don't believe most teenagers know the meaning of moderation... I sure didn't.

But, as I've said before... I was an idiot when I was younger.

leia1979

I think parental permision for those under the age of majority is fair. I consider it in the realm of a cosmetic procedure like piercings and tattoos. Yes, Simply Fated makes a good point that many kids might just forge the permission, but I think it's better than nothing.

I've never been to a tanning booth, but I also get dark just by going outside. It's just not something I'm intersted in, but then again, neither are tattoos. So to each her own.

When I turned 18 one of the first things I did was get a second pair of ear piercings. 

heyimbren

The beauty image thing is something that really bothers me. I know there realistically isn't anything we can do to change it, besides be more accepting of other beauty "types".

But it does tick me off when one of my best friends is calling a girl that looks like this pasty.



And that her skin isn't pretty. Because I have very, very light skin (lighter than Kirsten Bell). And I am offended when she says that "pale skin isn't pretty, it's just pasty and gross." Um what? And then she tries to convince me that I should tan for HER wedding. No. So the beauty ideal does bother me. Natural skin is beautiful (dark, light, whatever), fake orange oompa loompa skin is odd.

/end of rant on huge pet peeve.

lindsayrae1986

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:d651f8ef-16d2-48e7-84ff-e18951582009">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]The beauty image thing is something that really bothers me. I know there realistically isn't anything we can do to change it, besides be more accepting of other beauty "types". But it does tick me off when one of my best friends is calling a girl that looks like this pasty. And that her skin isn't pretty. Because I have very, very light skin (lighter than Kirsten Bell). And I am offended when she says that "pale skin isn't pretty, it's just pasty and gross." Um what? And then she tries to convince me that I should tan for HER wedding. No. So the beauty ideal does bother me. Natural skin is beautiful (dark, light, whatever), fake orange oompa loompa skin is odd. /end of rant on huge pet peeve.
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

i agree.

and good for you, for not giving in to her pressure to tan for her wedding.  :)

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:75555f1e-c9d7-4f91-97e9-ed688ee6dc4e">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: What are your thoughts on... : i agree. and good for you, for<strong> not giving in to her pressure to tan for her wedding.  :)
</strong>Posted by lindsayrae1986[/QUOTE]

I value my skin, and I value my $$$ haha. She didn't outright ask me to, to be fair, she just hinted at it pretty obviously.

deburnin

Yeah... I wouldn't be friends with that person for very long.

I think Dita von Tess is stunning and she has some of the palest skin around.

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:2ded07a2-4950-4e5c-89c5-4d6f145cd9a9">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]Yeah... I wouldn't be friends with that person for very long. I think Dita von Tess is stunning and she has some of the palest skin around.
Posted by deburnin[/QUOTE]

She's actually a way better example than Kirsten Bell. I just don't like Dita's eyebrows. But she's a looker all right!

calindi

I don't get why anyone would think this look is something to aim for...





And wouldn't she look so much better as her natural skin color?

heyimbren

Also, another thought on the same topic:

I almost feel that the dangers of tanning beds have been OVER emphasized to an extent. I have friends that refuse to step foot in a tanning salon, but will sit outside in their backyards with tanning oil (or just no sunscreen at all) and bake for hours in the middle of the day and feel that they're perfectly safe doing so because it isn't "fake" it's "natural".

deburnin

Aw man, I'm Christina Aguilera looks soooo much better with her natural skin color. It's hard to find one of her not tan... Being that blonde and that dark is just weird.

leia1979

As one of my good friends used to say...your skin should not be darker than your hair.

And by the way, I adore Kristen Bell. I can't believe someone would think she's "pasty" and not pretty.

lindsayrae1986

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:041f2caa-508b-4d8f-b766-02668b1f6a5a">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]Also, another thought on the same topic: I almost feel that the dangers of tanning beds have been OVER emphasized to an extent. I have friends that refuse to step foot in a tanning salon, but will sit outside in their backyards with tanning oil (or just no sunscreen at all) and bake for hours in the middle of the day and feel that they're perfectly safe doing so because it isn't "fake" it's "natural".
Posted by heyimbren[/QUOTE]

i hear about this as well...  people need to know the risks and consequences of tanning IN GENERAL, not just indoor tanning.  :)  indoor tanning can be over-emphasized to the point where it's "bad" and outdoor tanning is "good"...  but that's not a correct view of the issue.  while natural tanning is, well, NATURAL, that doesn't make it "good"...  too much of it without the proper protection is still "bad".

however.. a lot of people don't care about the long-term risks...  so no matter what you tell them, they are still going to do it.

jeanacorina

My husband likes my porcelain complexion. That's good enough for me.

bethsmiles

I agree with Seatea 100%

This isn't a government issue, they shouldn't be involved. I don't use tanning beds, I never have, I know how bad they are for you. I do go out and tan during the summer though. I know the risks and I choose to take it because its MY business. My best friend use tanning beds in high school (and she still does now - not excessively but still...) and if she wants to do that then its her right. We can't ban things just because they are bad for us. The point of democracy and freedom (two things we are supposed to value in the US) is to have personal choice. Teenagers aren't stupid, they know that tanning beds are bad for them if they choose to do it anyway well they choose to do a lot of stupid things - life goes on.

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:69b2cbcb-4a09-466b-96a3-57d3c14419df">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]I agree with Seatea 100% This isn't a government issue, they shouldn't be involved. I don't use tanning beds, I never have, I know how bad they are for you. I do go out and tan during the summer though. I know the risks and I choose to take it because its MY business. My best friend use tanning beds in high school (and she still does now - not excessively but still...) and if she wants to do that then its her right. We can't ban things just because they are bad for us. The point of democracy and freedom (two things we are supposed to value in the US) is to have personal choice. Teenagers aren't stupid, they know that tanning beds are bad for them if they choose to do it anyway well they choose to do a lot of stupid things - life goes on.
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

For those of you who do believe in freedom from government interference, do you think we should have a drinking age at all, an age to buy cigarettes, legalize drugs? I'm just curious.

lindsayrae1986

beth - no one is suggesting a BAN (at least, from what i understand)...  what we are suggesting is taxation/regulation and the requirement of parental consent for a minor to participate in indoor tanning.  also, do you think that minors should have the capability to make those decisions without parental consent, when it's required to have a parent's signature to do many other things (like checking out of school, etc.)?

does that change your opinion at all?  just curious.

bethsmiles

I'm for the legalization of pot. I haven't made my mind up on other drugs.

I think we should have a drinking age (I think it should be lower - 18). But drunk teenage driving affects other people. Tanning teenagers don't affect anyone but themselves.

I don't really think that we need a legal age to buy cigarettes either (but parental consent would be fine).

heyimbren

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_thoughts-5?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:298b9735-b797-4c9c-84e3-ad3b93c1a432Post:e4868cf8-0ece-4ed5-9fd1-10b229651748">Re: What are your thoughts on...</a>:
[QUOTE]I'm for the legalization of pot. I haven't made my mind up on other drugs. I think we should have a drinking age (I think it should be lower - 18). But drunk teenage driving affects other people. Tanning teenagers don't affect anyone but themselves. I don't really think that we need a legal age to buy cigarettes either (but parental consent would be fine).
Posted by bethsmiles[/QUOTE]

I don't really buy into the argument that we need a drinking age to keep teens from drunk driving. Drinking does not have to have anything to do with driving, until someone steps up to it. And in that case, I know a lot more people over the drinking age who DUI than those under. I mean, smoking cigarettes can affect other people if you smoke in a public place around others.

See, I agree with you lindsay, but I think I would be okay with a ban for kids. Say, under 14 or 16.