How the Influence of the Media Creates the World Around Us

The media is everywhere we look. When we turn on the television, open the morning paper, double click to get on to the Internet and read up on our latest celebrity gossip in our favorite tabloids or magazines. Whether we admit it or not, the media shifts and shapes our society in a plethora of ways. It can change the way we dress tomorrow morning, what controversial radio host we listen to in the car, what music we listen to and can even reach the scale of affecting our attitudes, our self esteem and ultimately or actions. Media has a stranglehold on the forever malleable minds of American citizens. But is the media's influence a good thing? Or is it becoming disastrous?

One of the most common arguments about the media is how they continually portray violence through many sources. The news, video games, movies, all have violence in them today, and the reason why: it sells. The thing is though, it does not just sell in the United States, it sells all over the world, where action films are "simple, and they're universally understood (Media Violence 2)." Though movies seem to be getting racier and more violent in the past decade, music and video games are where the big arguments lie.

Artists such as Eminem, Korn, and 50 Cent, all promote violence in some way by using explicit language and dark themes. Video games such as Grand Theft Auto, Mortal Combat, and Doom all have violent plots and gory sequences of incredible fights. Do these games, movies and music influence our society to be more violent? Or is it a choice we make on our own to act out? Is it really the media's fault, or is it society? The media has so much power over us it does not seem out of the realm of possibility. They can not be judged on promoting violent entertainment because they just as well promote good healthy entertainment as well. When someone does something good though, media does not get the credit. Is it possible we are using media as a scapegoat for our own troubles?

The media does more than just entertain people. They might affect the way (especially teenage girls) look at themselves today. An article titled "Media Influence on Self -Image: The Real Fashion Emergency" by Alison E. Field, ScD, describes how media affects self image and what young people do about it, mainly young girls (88). The article shows the findings from an experiment conducted by Field. She claims that with no bias towards race or age or marital status, only to the frequent readers of fashion magazines, she came to a conclusion that "the popular media are partially responsible for creating unrealistic body image goals for young females (95)." Seemingly, the more a girl read a fashion magazine the more likely she was to be unhappy with her body figure (88).

Why is it though that only females, or so it seems, are affected by fashion models? Is it because they are more self-conscience about themselves or is it because there are more women in the media today? Other researchers though have claimed quite profoundly that purging is a physiological disorder that people have at birth. If this is true, then the media have nothing to do with the way people act. The influence is still there though, but it may also be a good influence that inspires people to become healthier.

To others media affects much more than our image, but rather people's views on sex and other intimate interactions. A review written by Michael W. Wiederman, a doctor, reviews the book Sexual Teens, Sexual Media: Investigating Media's Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, takes both sides of an argument saying that the media at times can influence us in the wrong ways (i.e. The Bill Clinton scandal) or in the correct way (i.e. information sharing) (403). He states that "Americans have blamed the mass media for inciting youth to ostensibly inappropriate behavior (403)." While true, the statement does include holes. With raunchy sexual scenes in movies and explicit lyrics describing a certain activity, it can be viewed that the media is having a negative influence on today's youth and their sexual activity.

Wiederman also points out that magazine articles can be great ways to learn about things that someone is uncomfortable discussing with their close peers and family members (405). He also states that "most mass media content seen by teens contains little explicit sexual content (405)." One can learn as much, possibly more, from an in depth magazine article written by experienced people than in their schools Sexual Education classes. These classes, which promote celibacy, do not allow teachers to reach out and connect with the students on the level magazines can. It can also be viewed that media is have a positive influence on today's youth and their sexual activity.

The last two topics could be considered the most popular of all discussions relating to how media influence us. First of all, celebrities have an extreme amount of influence on the younger generation today. The malleable minds of our youth like to copy what their favorite movie stars or athletes do because it is cool and looks acceptable. Outrageous star behavior like Britney Spears most recent publicity stunt of shaving her head after coming out of rehab for alcohol abuse or Nicole Ritchie and Lindsay Lohan going on "special diets" to lose wait are not acceptable behavior for role models. But, are they still looked at as role models?

Lori Majewski, managing editor for "Teen People," wrote an article titled "Teens and Celebrities" for USA WEEKEND. Parents may look at the title and be drawn in to see what and who their kids are being influenced by. Teens are drawn in to see if other teens have the same feelings they have. A very carefully, witty article, Majewski claims that today it is much easier to feel closer to celebrities because of all the paparazzi shots of them doing everyday things (1). But are they influenced by them? In the article Majewski reveals a survey taken by USA WEEKEND Magazine, saying that almost "60% think teens want to pierce a body part or get a tattoo because a celebrity has. Roughly half agree that their own peers drink or smoke cigarettes because they see their idols doing it (2)." So if they are influenced that much by celebrities on seemingly small acts, what happens when a celebrity commits a crime? Does that mean teens will be more willing to commit that crime as well? It certainly is a possibility.

"Teens aspire to be like stars, but they don't necessarily view them as role models (2)." Majewski claims that more teenagers are influenced by celebrities like Angelina Jolie, who "practices what she preaches" and in good circumstances (2). Maybe the parents of today's society raised smarter youths (2). Maybe the teens are learning their experiences through celebrities, learning that certain actions are not okay and illegal and understand the consequences that come along with them.

Finally, the most influential source of media: the news. Today it is incredibly hard to turn on the television or open the morning paper without seeing a horrific act committed or more bad news concerning the war in Iraq or political bashes on the President of the United States, yes that is right, the President. We take in so much information in the hour the news is on television or the time we are in the car listening to the radio to and from work. It is very hard to see where all the good in the world has gone. Is it possible for the media to withhold the positive news so that they can attract more viewers and make more money? "A dangerous pesticide found in certain farm products, stay tuned for the news at 6, you maybe eating it for dinner!" Wow, you are probably not eating dinner until after you hear the news. Until you realize that that is a common catch line to bring in more viewers and is on news commercials at least once a week. Is there any good left in the world? Is everything just about money? Or is everything like the way it is perceived on the news, terrible?

Media influences people almost every hour of everyday. It is an incredibly strong force that has very few limitations. Producers and directors continue to push the envelope through movies, music, celebrity's images and news reports. The force of media is shaping the way we live; it seems that no one can go a whole day without knowing what exactly is going on around the world. Like it or not, media is more influential than the President and will continue to be until the world is changed.

WORKS CITED

Field, Alison E. "Media Influence on Self-Image: The Real Fashion Emergency." Healthy Weight Journal. November/December (2000).

Majewski, Lori. "Teens and Celebrities." USA WEEKEND. 21 May 2006.

"The Business of Media Violence." Media Awareness Network. 25 Feb. 2007.

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/business_media_violence.cfm>

Wiederman, Michael W. "Mass Media Made Them Do It?" Rev. of Sexual Teens, Sexual Media: Investigating Media's Influence on Adolescent Sexuality, edited by Jane D. Brown, Jeanne R. Steele, and Kim Walsh-Childers. The Journal of Sex Research Vol. 40, Num. 4: Nov. 2003: 403-412.