Resisting Representation: Teens Talk Back
Reflection
After researching online, there are different ways teens talk back to the dominant images that are available in mainstream media. Teens have a lot to say when they get to represent themselves. Something that I came upon many times while researching was, self-image/ media influences. Media, social and peer pressures influence the way teens see themselves. Self-image issues can lead to eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, cutting, bullying, etc., which relates to what was said in Croteau’s reading, Media and Ideology, “one of the principal reasons why media images often become controversial is that they are believed to promote ideas that are objectionable,”(162). I discovered a great site, which is all about the YES (YOUTH EQUIPPED TO SUCCEED) nonprofit organization helping equip teens to succeed by educating them through young speakers. I noticed that teens use social media to talk back on the issues on how they are represented. These social medias included Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Youtube, etc. “The media give us pictures of social interaction and social institutions that, by their sheer repetition on a daily basiss, can play important roles in shaping broad social definitions. In essence, the accumulation of media images suggests what is “normal” and what is “deviant”,”(163). Unfortunately, young teens are typically portrayed in the media. They are hypersexualized, reckless, and cliquey. The media creates these false images of teenagers that can ultimately influence younger girls into believing that this is the standard. Certain images can effect a young girl's self-esteem and self worth.
Reflection
After researching online, there are different ways teens talk back to the dominant images that are available in mainstream media. Teens have a lot to say when they get to represent themselves. Something that I came upon many times while researching was, self-image/ media influences. Media, social and peer pressures influence the way teens see themselves. Self-image issues can lead to eating disorders, drug and alcohol use, cutting, bullying, etc., which relates to what was said in Croteau’s reading, Media and Ideology, “one of the principal reasons why media images often become controversial is that they are believed to promote ideas that are objectionable,”(162). I discovered a great site, which is all about the YES (YOUTH EQUIPPED TO SUCCEED) nonprofit organization helping equip teens to succeed by educating them through young speakers. I noticed that teens use social media to talk back on the issues on how they are represented. These social medias included Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Youtube, etc. “The media give us pictures of social interaction and social institutions that, by their sheer repetition on a daily basiss, can play important roles in shaping broad social definitions. In essence, the accumulation of media images suggests what is “normal” and what is “deviant”,”(163). Unfortunately, young teens are typically portrayed in the media. They are hypersexualized, reckless, and cliquey. The media creates these false images of teenagers that can ultimately influence younger girls into believing that this is the standard. Certain images can effect a young girl's self-esteem and self worth.
While looking at
different blog posts, youtube videos, and websites, teenagers talk back a lot on how they are
being portrayed as a whole, and how the unrealistic images are being seen as
normal, when in reality it is not.
I think self image is really important when it comes to teens and these websites really showed that!
ReplyDeletenice post! I also talked about self image lol
ReplyDeleteSelf-image is a major problem, especially among teenagers. I'm glad that teens know that these images of the "perfect" and "flawless" people in magazines are unrealistic and not normal!
ReplyDeleteSelf-image is probably the biggest problem I think of when someone says teen image. The way that the media portrays these images is simply wrong.
ReplyDeleteI think teens are talking back a good amount, but I feel like they don't have the resources to express how they feel and recieve the respect they deserve because of the systematics beliefs already in place that teens know nothing and are still learning and "don't know what they're talking about" I think Tumblr, too, has become a really good resource for teens talking back and I'm glad you mentioned it:)
ReplyDelete