Media has become a way of life for many teens. Whether it be watching t.v, texting, or surfing the web. Teens are constantly finding an outlet to the media. Many teens have in fact, become under the influence of the media.
Some may think that teens are old enough and should be independent enough to make the right decisions, and to be smart enough not to be under the influence of whats in the media. In a study by Cornell teens were also found to take longer when making decisions. They ponder over the pros and cons and often take longer, because they know which is right and wrong. This can lead to people assuming that they'll make the right decisions most of the time. But in fact this is not true. Just because teens take longer to make decisions does not mean they'll always make the right ones. In this study it was also found that most teens choose to make risky decisions because they feel that the benefits out weigh the risks. And with the influences of the media showing unprotected sex, and other risky behaviors teens feel that it is okay to make hurtful decisions. Teens are in the stage in their lives where they feel that they want to and need to be accepted by their peers and society. The media paints the image of the "perfect" or "ideal" man or women, and teens feel that they need to live up to that.
Also, teens base their behaviors on influences in the media. For example, teens who carry guns and other weapons were found to have played violent video games or watch violent movies. The fiction of such things like war and shoot outs has blinded teens to the reality if these situations. The media makes teens believe that these fictional situations are what it is like in reality. Another example of this is in t.v shows like Gossip Girl, which portrays high school students as individuals that have unprotected sex, and party all of the time. Shows like this can spark a teens desire to have sex or party, without them thinking about the consequences of these actions. Also, most of the girls in this show are stick thin. Teenage girls who watch this show can feel that they are too fat, and feel that they need to do what ever it takes to change their whole self image.
All in all, the media has been a way of life for many teens. It has and will always influence their lives. Whether it be a video game, a song, a movie or a t.v show. The Hollywood version of the real world will often overshadow the reality of the world. Teens use the media as a way to mold themselves into who the media says they should be, because it seems like the only way to feel good about themselves, or be accepted by the rest of society.
Monday, November 9, 2009
Risky Business Thesis, 2 pros, con
Thesis: Various influences in the media pressure teen into changing who they are.
Con: Teens should be old enough and know better not to decide to be sucked in by the media. Teenagers know that they are they're own person and have the maturity to make decisions that are right for them. In fact, in a recent study by Cornell (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061211124302.htm) it was found that teens ponder more on the pros and cons of the situation and actually understand and overestimate the risks. There fore, teens have the ability to make smarter and wiser decisions.
Pro 1: Yes, but the study also shows that teens choose to do the wrong thing because they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks. There fore, proving that even though teens take longer to make decisions does not mean they'll make the right one. Also, teens practically use the media like a bible. Consulting with it when they want to know the latest trend, or freshest gossip. Teens are in a stage in their lives where they want to be accepted by their peers, and the media creates the image that is acceptable among society.
Pro 2: Also, teens base their behaviors on what they see in the media. For example, some teens who carry around guns and act violently were linked to violent video games and movies. Teens also think that this type of behavior is okay because this fiction has become their reality. When teens see something in the media they feel that they need to act that way and look a certain way in order to be acceptable. For example, shows like Gossip Girl portray having sex as something that is normal without any consequences. It also portrays the majority of these girls as stick thin. With shows like Gossip Girl, teens feel pressured into feeling like they can have unprotected sex and not suffer the consequences. Or, feel like they have to be stick thin in order to be beautiful and accepted.
Con: Teens should be old enough and know better not to decide to be sucked in by the media. Teenagers know that they are they're own person and have the maturity to make decisions that are right for them. In fact, in a recent study by Cornell (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061211124302.htm) it was found that teens ponder more on the pros and cons of the situation and actually understand and overestimate the risks. There fore, teens have the ability to make smarter and wiser decisions.
Pro 1: Yes, but the study also shows that teens choose to do the wrong thing because they feel that the benefits outweigh the risks. There fore, proving that even though teens take longer to make decisions does not mean they'll make the right one. Also, teens practically use the media like a bible. Consulting with it when they want to know the latest trend, or freshest gossip. Teens are in a stage in their lives where they want to be accepted by their peers, and the media creates the image that is acceptable among society.
Pro 2: Also, teens base their behaviors on what they see in the media. For example, some teens who carry around guns and act violently were linked to violent video games and movies. Teens also think that this type of behavior is okay because this fiction has become their reality. When teens see something in the media they feel that they need to act that way and look a certain way in order to be acceptable. For example, shows like Gossip Girl portray having sex as something that is normal without any consequences. It also portrays the majority of these girls as stick thin. With shows like Gossip Girl, teens feel pressured into feeling like they can have unprotected sex and not suffer the consequences. Or, feel like they have to be stick thin in order to be beautiful and accepted.
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