Jessica Zarate – Blog 4

In chapter 8, discusses child obesity and provides statistical information to support her theories on recent studies of weight gain in children and adolescents. According to Sternheimer (2013), “Between 1980 and 2000, the number of children classified as overweight doubled for those aged two through eleven and tripled for adolescents twelve to nineteen” (p. 198). One major contributor to child weight gain is high-calorie, fatty foods that children consume while watching television. “sitting and eating in front of the television for long periods of time is a good way to gain weight” (p. 199). In our household, this is a major issue. I want to know why we are leading our youth to live unhealthy lives and set them down the wrong path at such young ages. As an educated adult, I know I need to make better decisions for my children that will benefit them in the immediate future as well as the long run. Going back to Dr. Pabers’ lecture, life is all about balancing the yin and yang. Having said that, television and snacking is not a bad thing, but at some point the tv needs to be turned off and outdoor play needs to be initiated. In my family, there are a lot of changes going on. We are constantly on the move and life is all about survival. For example, I can relate with coming home late after a day of being at work and school. I am tired, have been on my feet and running around all day and hungry. My go to quick fix is popping a frozen pizza into the oven to quickly feed my family, get them ready for bed and start over again the next day.
I can definitely relate to the YouTube video “Impact of Media on Culture”. According to Dugan (2010), he states, “We learn culture from the people around us” (1:55). He then went on to say, “learned behaviors” and families. He commented on how stories are passed down from generations to generations, which creates the family values. According to the video, “Fear that the media has replaced the family as the storyteller” is a major issue. One thing I learned from the video is that we each possess different cultures which we use in different environment. For example, when we are at work, as employees we adapt to work culture. When we are at home we adapt to our family culture, and when at school we may adapt to our school culture.
The media is very much to blame for many, many, problems associated with body image. In the US popular culture tells us that beautiful women are extremely thin and have large breasts and plump bottom. In the media we are constantly exposed to this through images, videos and social networking sites, including and not limited to the fashion industry. Failure to look like these beautiful models seen on television or in the advertisements leaves many young men and women to be faced with body dissatisfaction. According to Sternheimer (2013), “Images of unrealistically thin young women reflect a very narrow version of beauty and the way in which women are routinely valued based on their appearance in popular culture, and in many cases everyday life” (207). According to Dugan (2011) in his YouTube video, “Impact of Media on Culture – Developing a Common Culture” he states, “before mass communication, all culture was local and defined by language, village customs and religion” (1:10). Mass communication creates shared experiences and defines who we are as well as our place in society. Unfortunately, this is where people struggle and develop complexes such as Anorexia and Bulimia. Ideas of right and wrong are shaped by culture which we are exposed through by mass communication (dominant culture). It is very hard to find the balance between the different types of culture which make up our identities. According to Dugan (2013), “People who reject the dominant culture and embrace and preserve their bounded culture are looked negatively on because they distinguish themselves from the dominant culture”. It is interesting to think about subcultures, which is talked about in the series of Dugan’s YouTube videos. Often times, these people reject the idea of the mainstream “American” culture. In an attempt to embrace personal/bounded culture which will cause social tension due to unfamiliarity. People need to look past this and find common ground so everyone can be accepted and loved for who they are rather than assimilate to what is acceptable.
Chapter 10 in Connecting Social Problems and Popular Culture, Sternheimer discusses the connection between consumption and materialism. Adults need to set limits for their children and educate kids on the difference of wants and needs. Sternheimer states, “Children continue to be the focus of our fears of hyperconsumption, especially when it appears that children’s consumer knowledge is greater than that of their parents (247). As a mother of three children, I agree with this statement. Often times my older boys are obsessing over the latest online game, gadget, clothing, shoes, or device they want. Usually, they see these items on tv, online, or from someone at school. For example, one of the latest styles of clothes out right now is “Galaxy-wear”. My boys are insisting that we go online to Amazon or visit the mall to purchase these cool shirts and hats with the galaxy prints on them. As a mother, I know that this is something they want this week. What will they want next week? I know that I will never be able to meet all of their materialistic desires. So what can be done in this situation? This is a conversation I have had many times with family members when discussing my children’s behavior. Maybe I created the monster. Instead of making them work for the things they want I am guilty of going out and buying the item, but asking them to be good in return. Maybe I am to blame for the holidays where I go out and purchase them large amounts of gifts instead of maybe two or three. According to Sternheimer (2013), she states, “We show people we love them with material goods, reward children with gifts, and teach them that holidays means shopping, even if you must go into debt in the process. Consumption is the building block of a capitalist society and has become the hallmark of American culture” (255). This chapter discusses serious issues to address in the consumer- oriented society. Sternheimer tells us that maybe the advertisers are extremely influential on our children. In terms of advertising and consumption, Sternheimer states, “Companies also target fashion-forward young people and bloggers who they think will influence their peers” (259). They do this by giving them free stuff in hopes they will market their products and increase their sales. This is a huge social problem in today’s society. Unfortunately, the media dictates to our youth what is socially acceptable and cool. In order to achieve this coolness, one needs to go out and purchase the beauty product, wear those new clothes, buy that latest album, game, or electronic. Not only do they need these products, they need to look slim and be super fit. This class has defiantly opened my eyes to how the media uses mass communication to target our youth and instill unacceptable values in our children.