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.

College essay draft-Living "Unplugged"- UW essay topic

I feel like I'm in a bad reality show. You know, one of those ones where you have to play a game to get money, or do something totally stupid to get half a million dollars. The living room seems as if a big hole has been punched through it, now that the TV is gone. Dust bunnies, and cob webs finally see daylight after years of collecting behind a flat screen tv. In the family room, two walls once flanked by our mac and PC, are gone it's nothing but a empty space now. I feel like I'm living in a cave, cut off from the rest of society, unplugged from my outlet to a modern day life.
Living unplugged has been a challenge, especially in this technologically advanced world we live in. We've been so consumed by texting, myspace, youtube, and facebook. It is nearly impossible for me to go a day without watching TV or going on the computer. It's become a way of life. Giving up my lifestyle for a year has not been easy. The initial reaction from people was "Are you serious?!?", and you can tell I haven't been taken seriously on my commitment to being "unplugged" for a year. I don't blame them for thinking that about my situation, most teenagers can't do it for a year let a alone one week. Even I thought there was no hope for me in this situation. But life has become much simpler, I don't have to worry about missing Project Runway or Glee, or I don't have to think about getting back to people's texts and comments on facebook and youtube. I have been able to talk to my family without an interrupting phone call or text message. I've grown closer to them, now that we've had no other choice than to find entertainment in each other. There has been a lot of quiet time where I could just sit down and reflect on myself and figure out who I really am now that all of the distractions entering my life through my outlet to the modern day world have been cut off. I feel like the little kid I was in those old home movies again. Playing board games, and riding my bike with my little sister as if we were both 5 years old again.
I guess living a year unplugged has exposed me to myself. I've been able to complete my journey to self discovery after this one year of being unplugged. No distractions or anything to influence my train of thought, I was forced to listen to my own thoughts and no one else. It was scary but it was worth it. Worth it to become closer with my family, and worth it to bring out the true Angela Valdez. Sometimes simplicity is all it takes bring complexity to your life.
** Note: This was written in the perspective that I actually did live "unplugged" for a year. I wrote on how I'd assume thinks would be like.