Is Television Censorship the Answer?

2004-11-07T17:48:00.000-08:00

I really do think in the future that TV should censor itself more. It should be more aware of the different variety of audiences. Explicit images should only be shown for certain ages on certain channels at certain times. Ratings should be made for not only movies on certain channels, but for TV shows and movies on all channels. I feel strongly that everyone here should support this type of censorship. If you don't think this applies to you, at least care for our younger brothers and sisters. I encourage all of you to use television and magazines for entertainment purposes- instead of using it to find role models to aspire to. Is it worth compromising yourself? That's a loaded question- But, put yourself in the position of being a parent. What would you want for your thirteen year old daughter? Would you want her innocence to be compromised? We all have a bigger role in this issue than we realize. The biggest hurdle over this dilemma is having awareness. Now, at least to whoever is reading this blog, you are aware of the media influencing character and gender roles of youth and, well, even me and most likely you.

Britney Spears: Role Model Material?

2004-10-18T11:23:00.000-07:00

...When you turn on the television and you see women dressed very scantily and shaking it, and you see that this is seen as ideal that plants the idea in a young person's head that this is something to aspire to. And, yes, when you turn on the TV and you hear it, and, you know, you read a magazine and you see it-- that will all come together and definitely have some sort of effect on you...
To illustrate this manipulative media, I will recount a story. A couple of my friends and I were sitting around watching TV and I recall us all gazing in awe as this commercial we had never seen before came on.
My Halloween costume was inspired by Britney Spears dressed up as a gladiator. It was shown on TV, where she, Pink, and Beyonce are the sexiest gladiators I have ever seen- and that's when I said- “Guys, I wanna be a gladiator-like her”. For those of you who have not seen this on TV and did not see me in costume on Halloween, I just want to clarify that my attire was more conservative than Brittney, Pink, or Beyonce's.

img src="http://www.armchair-armoury.co.uk/graphics/Beyonce_Britney_Pink.jpg"
Enrique Englasias plays the role of the King, while the girls are standing half naked and half in feminine gladiator attire, in the middle of an amphitheatre- possibly the Colosseum? I'd have to say that it wasn't just Britney Spears that influenced my Halloween decision. I can honestly say I am not even a fan. I noticed the way Enrique watched the girls, which made the girls seem even more appealing and desirable and then my decision was definite.
The media can be most influencing on youth, but what I have come to realize is that I apply to this now and I'm 20 years old.
I personally feel that I have been victimized. I know how it feels to be an adolescent teen trying to fit in with social norms and try to become this unattainable level of perfection- but we're all human beings and should be able to feel comfortable in our own skin. The media limits the variety of role models for us, and often portrays this unattainable level of beauty, of both men and women, but focuses on outer beauty rather than what's inside.
At such young ages, children are facing this same type of struggle to find themselves. In the scene I described earlier, the stereotypical portrayal of women and men creates the false sense in the minds of youth males and females of whom and what they should be in society.

img src="http://www.example.com/mypicture.jpg"

Young people are influenced very easily, especially when they are trying to find a place in society and figure out who they are. Being an influenced youth myself, I do not find it bizarre that I am still influenced today. If we are not protected from the artificial role models junking up the television and magazines- is it too late to learn otherwise?

A Manipulative Media

Is Television Censorship the Answer?

Britney Spears: Role Model Material?