Food Advertising

    Media and advertising companies have gone too far with marketing when it’s even reaching to the food we eat. For example, the cereal called ‘Special K’. This makes it seem as though by eating this cereal, you will slim down and all of a sudden look ‘attractive’, however this isn’t the case. It may have fewer sugars and be healthier than some other kinds of cereal, but by just eating a certain cereal along with ones regular meals, you aren’t going to see changes in your shape. This would involve physical activity and a variety or healthier foods. Another type of food that reaches out to a certain audience would be the new ‘Side Kicks’ noodles. The company is now making the packages with less salt in it and are reaching out to female shoppers with the little salt shaker that is now ‘lost’. The commercials really reach out to women because they are thought to be more sensitive than most men so they would feel bad for this little salt guy and often think of the product more. And not only are they thinking about this more, but people will believe it’s healthier because there is less salt in the product. Thus, not only is the media affecting what we wear or listen to, but they it is also greatly affecting the food we eat on a daily basis.

Circle of Friends

    If the media was to actually get in touch with many of teens now in days, I think they would be surprised with what they would find out. Not only is their representation of teens fairly incorrect, but also what teens are attracted to and what catches their eyes would probably change even if just slightly especially within my circle of friends. We don’t want to wear, nor like seeing girls walking around the school in see-through shirts, or the shorts that are way too short for in a school setting. We would prefer to be comfortable (such as sweaters/jeans) and be able to have fun without worrying about our clothes. Also, when I say have fun, I don’t mean going out and getting drunk or high, I mean being able to act a little crazy without that stuff. We would rather enjoy the time we have with each other than take advantage of that by making ourselves drunk. Neither my friends, nor I go home and are suddenly depressed, even though this is how the media makes us teens out to be. Life may be more fun when hanging out with friends sometimes with inside jokes and what not, but that doesn’t mean we hate our family. This is also the same with most other teens. If they are happy before they get home, it’s not all of a sudden going to change because they walk in the door of their home. This being said, I think the media needs to re-evaluate teens and try to connect with them better.

Racism?

    Why has the “N-Word” and the “Q-Word” come back? In the past, these words were seen as hurtful and racist; however, this is no longer the case for many.  Lots of people now, especially teens are using these words more frequently as slag and often they are used to joke around between groups of friends.  Many of which also don’t know what these words originally meant. So then where does the line get drawn with this? There are some African Americans that wouldn’t be bothered by these words, but there many more that would be. The world is trying to become more multicultural and unified so why this new up rise in hateful words from the past? No one should feel idolized because of how they look, especially based on something one can’t change. One rarely sees ‘white’ people being picked on by those of another culture because they are seen as a higher class; however that is not the case. Many people of different cultures are just as good as any ‘white’ people out there some just have different talents or show the talents in a different way. Whether ‘white’ or ‘black’, people are people so it shouldn’t matter where you come from, you should still be treated as an equal.

My Identity? or Media's?

    People say that you can be anyone and anything you want, but is that really true? Society and the media have certain ideas that are presented as ‘right’, so how does one know where to draw the line? If I wear those short shorts that are seen on a model, does that mean I’m being who society wants me to be? What if I decide to wear baggy pants? That makes me no longer accepted, or trashy? I understand that media bases their ideas off of different groups of the population, but the population also follows the media. This being the case, is it media, or people that say what is ‘right’ and what isn’t? I want to be comfortable in my life, not ‘trendy’. If being ‘trendy’ involves see through shirts and shorts so short they show my bum, I’d rather be a dork in baggy pants. Even though I feel this way, the media does affect everyone. I try to stay unique and not let others influence my choice in clothing, hair colour, piercings, etc... but that isn’t always easy when one is surrounded by it all the time. Whether it is direct, or indirect, everyone is affected by society and its choices.

Split Families.

    How come most families on the TV are one big happy family?  One rarely sees split families, yet at least 60% of families now in days are ‘broken’. The children living in a broken family would be able to relate to those shows better, so why aren’t TV companies including those in the programming more often? I can’t relate to someone who lives in a ‘normal’ family, because my family isn’t ‘normal’. My parents have split up, and even though they have found new loves, my family is still separated. Even the new loves have been in previous relationships, so how can I pretend my family is ‘normal’? Even though kids living in a ‘normal’ family may not be able to relate to a show with split families as well, it would give those other kids a sense of belonging. Also, just because the person’s family is ‘broken’ doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with them. Society just calls it a ‘broken’ family because everyone isn’t together. The family isn’t as one unit, however, as several units that come back together to act as one. Such a life could feel very eventful and as though there is no time for one’s self for being involved with several people, but there’s just more people to love you in such situation. With that being said, if one is in a ‘normal’ family, it doesn’t mean they aren’t loved, they just have a different type of love provided from them.