A Trip to the Mall

A trip to the mall... isn't what it used to be. All throughout my childhood, my family and I have gone to the mall* to shop for various things and to simply be with one another. The purchases weren't always what mattered most. Sometimes we would only be window shopping, eating delicious food, or peering at the adorable puppies in the pet shop. What mattered most was the time we spent together.

I can say that the same thing is true today, but many aspects of this have changed. I still go to the mall every once in a while with my mom or other family members. We still get the chance to see cute puppies and bunnies through the pet shop windows. We still get to window shop and eat delicious food. But these things are only a small part of the experience that goes with a trip to the mall today. What takes up the majority of the experience are stores that sell ridiculously immodest clothing, advertisements that promote sex and scandalous situations, kiosks that glamorize smoking (even if it isn't with a normal cigarette), and large pictures of supposedly perfect women.

I cringe at the thought of my nieces and nephews seeing the inappropriate clothing, advertisements, stores, and pictures as they walk through the mall with their families on a nice Saturday afternoon. I don't want them to think that this is normal, or that the mall was always like this. It isn't supposed to be like this.

The mall used to be a place for families. They might currently have a play area for children and an awesome family bathroom, but most of their atmosphere sure isn't family friendly.

Yeah, it's definitely true that I don't need to go to the mall. I can stay at home, or go somewhere else. I can also try covering my eyes every time I see something that offends me in the mall... at that rate, I'd experience part of what it's like to be blind, and would probably run into several posts. But the fact is, no one needs to go to the mall. I shouldn't have to cover my eyes to avoid the disgusting images and stores that can be found throughout the mall today. I shouldn't have to worry about what my younger relatives will see when they're on what should be a perfectly harmless, fun family trip to the mall.

What would you want your children to see and hear about when they go to the mall: sex and drugs, or the importance of healthy relationships? It seems as if we should do our best to restore the original family friendly atmosphere of the mall, at least for the future generations.

*Westfield Vancouver, Washington

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