The Societal Influence of Media Running Header: The Societal Influence of Media

The Societal Influence of Media July 25, 2011

The Societal Influence of Media Television/media is one example of a modern modality of social influence. This particular modality has a tremendous influence on U.S. society. Television and media outlets such as magazines, newspapers, and the internet maintain a strong hold on the ways that we

dress, speak, behave, and in many ways, think. The scenarios depicted on television, in music, on the news, on the internet, and in magazines greatly affect the perception of what is acceptable in todays society. Todays U.S. society has become overly sexualized, overly outspoken, and overly violent. Thankfully, not all aspects of television and media are negative although it seems that it takes much more effort to gain influence, maintain persuasiveness, and to foster conformity. Consider the efforts of the First Lady, Michelle Obama in fighting obesity. Mrs. Obama has taken to various platforms to encourage healthy eating and healthy living. She has even participated in commercials, special events, and various promotions to encourage children to let go of the video games and to get outside and get active. Children especially are greatly influenced by television and the internet. Consider news coverage a short while ago which reflected on the increasing number of incidences of children being hurt after mimicking stunts they saw on television and the internet. The television show Jackass came under scrutiny as the members of the show were doing dangerous stunts and pranks such as lighting firecrackers between their butts, jumping off of building roofs, and shooting each other at close range with paintballs: just to name a few. Studies have been done which show implications of television maintaining a definite influence on children (Mowers, M. M.). Men are influenced by music, television, and the internet primarily. These modalities influence their style of dress, mannerisms and ideals, the types of individuals they will date, and general ideals and outlooks on life. Television and music especially portray extremely violent lifestyles which individuals then believe that they need to mimic in order to gain social

The Societal Influence of Media acceptance. Females are influenced mostly by music, television, magazines, and the internet.

These modalities influence fashion, ideals, mannerisms, use of beauty products, the ways women wear their hair, and even the types of individuals they will date (Signorielli, N., & Morgan, M.). Adults are influenced in a slightly different manner by news media, television, and music. Those with children generally become more protective of their children, more conscientious about safety and health, and more aware of what is going on around them. These particular modalities affect their finances, their employment, and their lives overall. There is also overall concern over the biases presented by the media, political agendas being catered to, and the general feeling of omission of vital facts (Shah, A.). I do not have a positive outlook on the changes that will be made within our society over the next 10 years. As a matter of fact, I am ultimately disturbed at the rapid rate of deceleration of standards that is being witnessed now. Reality television has made it acceptable for our youth to cavort about with a lack of respect for themselves, a lack of respect for others, a lack of morals, and a mentality of expectation of immediate gratification with a minimal amount of work put forth. Drug use is rampant and portrayed as acceptable by public figures including singers, actors, and even politicians. Lewd behavior is encouraged and a general disregard for societal acceptance has become prevalent. My most disturbing moment was logging on to my Facebook account one evening and looking over a news article posted by a friend. This article spoke of a book discussing rainbow parties. Apparently there was a huge uproar as parents discovered that this book was put onto the market and many felt that it was grossly inappropriate (Lewin, T.). Within the book, each girl would be required to attend wearing a different colored lipstick and perform oral sex on various boys, leaving them with a rainbow (Ruditis, P.). Sadly, teens decided to try these parties for themselves and that, in itself, was horrendous. As the mother of

The Societal Influence of Media three young children, two of which are girls, I am dismayed and disgusted by this. It is also terrifying to think that, in this age of rampant transmission of sexually transmitted disease, that these children would be so willing to potentially throw away their futures and their lives for

something so foolish. It just goes to show how far these children will go for social acceptance. It also goes to show just how far the lines of socially acceptable behavior have been skewered. I do, however, maintain the hope that over the next 20 to 50 years, there will be positive changes. Our society has become more accepting of equality and that may prove a driving point in change. While there are not many, there are still a few positive role models encouraging our youth to better themselves. I believe that as the economy turns around, it will become more apparent that the lifestyles that are presently being maintained are unacceptable. As reality sets in and people begin to realize that there is more at stake than simply living for the moment, I would like to believe that things will change. I maintain the hope that as todays society is centered around excess: excess materialism, excessive sexuality, excessive greed, excessive behaviors, and excessive self-expression, the youth of today, which will soon be the adults of the next generation, will see the error of their ways once they see their behaviors reflected in their children, it will drive them to make a positive change.

The Societal Influence of Media References

Lewin, T. (2005, June 30). Are These Parties for Real? The New York Times. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/30/fashion/thursdaystyles/30rainbow.html Mowers, M. M. (2003, April 21). DOES THE MEDIA INFLUENCE A CHILD`S BEHAVIOR?. In Missouri Western State University. Retrieved July 22, 2011, from http://clearinghouse.missouriwestern.edu/manuscripts/402.php Ruditis, P. (2005). Rainbow Party. New York, NY: Simon Pulse. Shah, A. (2009, October 27). Media in the United States. Retrieved July 23, 2011, from http://www.globalissues.org/article/163/media-in-the-united-states Signorielli, N., & Morgan, M. (1990). Cultivation analysis: New directions in media effects research (pp. 85-106). Newbury Park, CA: Sage Publications.