Shumayem Khan
American University Of Sharjah
G00053237
02/05/2014
Western Pop Star’s Effect On Today’s Youth
The controversial characters and the music of the Western Pop Star affect the teenagers of this generation in three main ways. The first and utmost dangerous effect is the belief that teens have become over conscious about their body image and appearance leading to eating disorders. The second effect is that young boys and girls are getting exposed to illicit content, mainly adultery. The third effect on teenagers is how they slowly adapt to the way their idols are living their lives, consuming and being involved in drugs and alcohol. These are the dangers that contribute into the ways the controversial characters, the pop stars and their music negatively influences the teenagers.
For many young girls and boys having a perfectly fit body has become one of their main goals in life and because of the way the media displays the celebrities having flawless bodies, these teenagers obsess over their weight and turning model thin has become their target of interesting want. Young girls have started to face increasing eating disorders in the past years due to low self-esteem caused by the media. Stated in a journal article by Jennifer L. Derenne (2006), “With media pressure to be thin and a multibillion dollar dieting industry at our disposal, higher rates of eating disorders in the population seem concerning.” (Body Image, Media and Eating Disorders) The media portrays these pop stars with unrealistic body types, which many girls may not be able to copy unless they hurt themselves. In “The Media and The Body Image”, a book written by Maggie Wykes (2005), she mentions a survey that had been conducted by the Garnier cosmetics in Britain found that 46% dreamed of a better physic such as a flatter stomach and shapelier legs. When asked which celebrities they admired most, 23% named Kylie Minogue, 15% named Zeta-Jones and 12% named Jennifer Lopez, due to their shapely figures.
Pop stars like Kim Kardashian and Paris Hilton have set a bad example on their young fan base by releasing inappropriate content relating to adultery and other sexual acts. They’re being exposed to unsuitable matters for their age, which may not only ruin their childhood but along with that it can also lead to carelessness of limits which can cause a number of problems like teen pregnancy. As mentioned in an article published by Cathi Gulli (2008), “Unplanned pregnancy is now a pop-culture staple. Movies like Knocked Up and Waitress, and celebrity moms including Nicole Richie and Jessica Alba, are part of a trend that’s sweeping teen culture along with it.” (Suddenly Teen Pregnancy Is Cool?) The lyric that is sung by these pop star’s do give off negative messages polluting the young minds with songs like “Smack that” by Akon or “What’s your fantasy” by Ludacris. It was found in one of George W.Comstock’s (2007) books that any kind of exposure to music with lyrics that are about rape, sexual acrobatics and sexual proficiency, and male sexual dominance have initiated acts of adultery amongst the young public during the past years of research.
When idolizing celebrities, teenagers become immune to things that are wrong which these celebrities show as fun and being normal. According to a journal article by Rachel L. Shaw (2010), she states that the media reports exposed some evidence of Amy Winehouse’s, prosecution and rehabilitation due to her usage of drugs. She also mentions that the news against this singer is also frequently cited in the media as having a possibly dangerous influence on her young followers. Almost all songs nowadays either mention drugs or alcohol which boosts the young mind into attempting to try these different things that their idols are either addicted to or use in their daily life in order to feel a part of it. Idolizing pop stars like Lindsay Lohan, who was put behind bars for drinking and drugs (Monde, 2013) and Miley Cyrus, who had been caught smoking marijuana on film (Black, 2010), may lead these teenagers to undertake illegal and dangerous actions. Mentioned in an article in the New York Times, Tara Parker Pope (2008) stated, “Music is well-known to connect deeply with adolescents and to influence identity development, perhaps more than any other entertainment medium.” (Under The Influence Of...Music?)
Controversial characters and the American pop stars in this generation play these negative roles in a teenager’s life, which further affects every aspect of their existence. From what they wear to the way they talk, every boy and girl in their teenage years try to adapt to their favorite celebrities lifestyle. As a result, this effects the youth in a harmful manner by damaging the minds of the society and the innocent ones.
References
Black, R. (2010). NY Daily News.
Comstock, G. (2007). Media and The American Child. Academic Press.
Derenne, J. L. (2006). Body Image, Media and Eating Disorders. ProQuest , 30 (3), 257-61.
Gulli, C. (2008). Suddenly Teen Pregnancy Is Cool? ProQuest , 121 (3), 40-44.
Monde, C. (2013). NY Daily News.
Pope, T. P. (2008). Under The Influence Of...Music? News, New York Times.
Shaw, R. L. (2010). Crack down on the celebrity junkies. Health Risk & Society , 12 (6), 575-589.
Wykes, M. (2005). The Media and Body Image: If Looks Could Kill. London.
References: Black, R. (2010). NY Daily News. Comstock, G. (2007). Media and The American Child. Academic Press. Derenne, J. L. (2006). Body Image, Media and Eating Disorders. ProQuest , 30 (3), 257-61. Gulli, C. (2008). Suddenly Teen Pregnancy Is Cool? ProQuest , 121 (3), 40-44. Monde, C. (2013). NY Daily News. Pope, T. P. (2008). Under The Influence Of...Music? News, New York Times. Shaw, R. L. (2010). Crack down on the celebrity junkies. Health Risk & Society , 12 (6), 575-589. Wykes, M. (2005). The Media and Body Image: If Looks Could Kill. London.
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