The Media and Teenagers

Paper Summary:

The media, including television, magazines, radio, internet and billboards surround everyone daily, sending messages about what items to buy and why. While the effect is obvious among the adult population, the effect is even more profound on the teenage population. The present day media has established a target on adolescents, influencing them to smoke, drink, look a certain way and dress a certain way in order to be accepted by society. This paper focuses on the affect that television has on teenagers, showing that the average American teenager will view nearly 14,000 sexual remarks, sexual innuendos, and jokes per year. The paper details the negative effects on these youths, including an increase in violence, early sexual activity, substance abuse and eating disorders.

From the Paper:

"Studies have shown that young women subscribing at an early age to "teen" magazines such as "YM" or "Teen" have a much higher rate of eating disorders. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (2002), an increase in magazine viewing led to a 45% increase in lowered self esteem in young women age 12-15. Another study showed that 66% of young women believed that models in magazines were their "ideal" image, or what they were expected to look like (Irving, et al 1998). Actually, the average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98% of American women (NEAD, 2000)."

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