Preview

What Is on the Minds of America's Youth Today?

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1567 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
What Is on the Minds of America's Youth Today?
"What is on the minds of America's youth today?" was the prompt for an essay contest. The top of the page hosted two images; one of the youth of 1968 protesting racism, and one of teenagers on Spring Break in 2004. The magazine claimed that 30 years ago, young people were so focused on sit-ins, protests, and what was happening in the world around them and today, teens are content solely with "watching their MTV, and following the love lives of Brad, Jen, Jessica, and Paris." I was intrigued by the article. I let the prompt linger in my mind.
I felt what Vanity Fair was offering me seemed biased; they did not acknowledge the fact that life in the 60's and 70's wasn't just about voicing your opinions. For example, Vanity Fair didn't show pictures of teens in the 60's and 70's jiving to groovy records, or experimenting with drugs. After all, that period is known for their hippie fests and psychedelic acid trips that would "liberate you". Why does a girl scantily clad in a bikini, chugging beer from a beer bong sum up the 21st century? I admit, kids today have more on their minds than how to be more politically involved but where are the pictures of kids today volunteering and getting out in the community; trying to make a difference? Adults are judgmental of youth today, and as I mentioned before, their views can be biased and one-sided. So what is on the minds of America's youth today? Contrary to what Vanity Fair said, America's youth are not content text messaging their friends, playing with their X-boxes, and listening to iPods. Kids today have an incredible amount of pressure placed on them. Friends, family, adults, and the media: all these sources are telling us how we must maintain a high GPA if we have any hope of getting into college, and also that we must engage in as many extracurricular activities as possible, all while being thin and perfectly groomed. I have everything from college and extracurricular activities to what outfit I'm going to wear
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Jean Kilbourne Killing USftly 4 Analysis
    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Jean Kilbourne Killing USftly 4 Analysis

    The girls were asked how they felt about the documentary, and, not surprisingly, feelings of anger and frustration were common reactions. Through worksheets and discussion, they were then presented with concepts such as the male gaze, the deconstruction of the female body into separate parts, racism in the media, and becoming an active media citizen. Having studied social sciences for so long, I can’t remember what life was like without those ideas, but it’s important to keep in mind how many young people might be new to this type of criticism, even though they are exposed to the images of pop culture every day. In another activity, the girls were asked to create portraits of the way they see themselves, and surround them with positive words that they feel would describe them. With youth culture becoming more sexualized, more demanding of one’s appearance, and more exposed to or intertwined with popular culture aimed at the older crowd, it is more important than ever to encourage youth to be critical media consumers, and to find alternative ways for them to see…

    • 644 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Role of American Teens in the 50s and Now
    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Role of American Teens in the 50s and Now

    Yesterday's teenagers were a lot more tame than today's teens. In the 1950's a teenager's life was much more strict. They understood that rules were put into place for a reason and were not to be broken. Teens were taught proper etiquette in school classes. The girls were taught the proper ways to sit and stand, dance, and even what to say at the end of a date. Everything was structured around being polite. Kids of the 1950's were always told, "children are to be seen and not heard." Teens were not supposed to talk back to their parents. This saying can also be applied in a political sense. Teens were not allowed to express their opinions in public, especially if it was seen as wrong. Teens were taught values and morals. The golden rule was posted in every home: "do unto others as would be done unto you." Teens respected authority which meant the police, presidents, teachers, and their parents. Teens were encouraged to join Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, as these programs also taught important life lessons. The TV shows of the era also reflected the morals of the society. I Love Lucy was a favorite of every teen of the time. Shows like Roy Rogers, Lassie, and Davy Crockett showed that the guys who did the right thing always won. The morals of the 1950's teenager are greatly higher than today's teens' morals.…

    • 1257 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Apathy In America's Youth
    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Apathy In America's Youth

    The majority of today’s youth has become extremely apathetic, completely careless about the things going on in the world that don’t regard them. They’ve gotten so obsessed with what goes on in their own lives that they don’t stop and take the time to listen or care about what anyone else is feeling. Technology plays a huge role in the apathetic behavior of teens because it gives them the power to constantly be updated with the latest gossip or news about their peers. Apart from that, adults are also partly to be blamed for this apathy because they make it nearly impossible for teens to have a say in government without having a riot or protest.…

    • 464 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Effects Of Judged On Society
    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Effects Of Judged On Society

    We, the Teenagers of the Society of the U.S. , do hereby unite together to declare our…

    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Portrayal Of Young People In The Media
    • 59 Words
    • 1 Page

    The Portrayal Of Young People In The Media

    Young people in the media Teenagers used to be the overlooked gathering in the public arena. The ones who are stuck between being "charming children" and "capable grown-ups." But all that has been changing throughout the most recent a quarter century in this way, as the media understands that youngsters are gradually getting a voice in the public…

    • 59 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Postive and Negative Statements on the Media Dealing with Teens.
    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Postive and Negative Statements on the Media Dealing with Teens.

    How does the media affects the way teenagers are today? We’ve been asked that question so many times and we have so many answers about how teenagers put their lives on hold and put the media and electronic devices first. In today’s evolving society has created numerous social networking websites. Many of the users are teenagers and it has become a main factor in the way they conduct themselves positively and negatively. Teenagers today fines the media more comforting each and every day, we now that the reason why we communicate through the media is because it gives us the update on everything we need to know about our society and celebrities who inspire us. From TV, newspapers, radios, computers, to cell phones and magazines is where we get all our sources whether it’s important, bad or exciting teenagers are drown to media world, this leaves a big impact on them that could be harmful to their lives.…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    media impact
    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages

    media impact

    Teenagers today depend on the media for information on everything; the latest gadgets, the latest fashion trend, the newest car in the market to coax their parents into buying, the best places around the country to eat out at, or to find out what their favorite celebrity is up to. Media's effects on teenagers are far-reaching. It almost controls the minds of teenagers like a giant remote control. While it does have its share of pros, parents still need to approach this mammoth beast with caution.…

    • 714 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Clts Presidential Address
    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Clts Presidential Address

    With the TV, internet and other forms of media, the youth today are increasingly getting distracted by a lot of entertainment in their world today. While entertainment is not a bad thing in itself, but an overdose of it has created a selfish culture in the youth.…

    • 272 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Youth Today
    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Youth Today

    delivered by Barbara Streibl and Fatih Oezcan, Ban All Nukes generation Ambassador Cabactulan, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen Today at this historic NPT conference more youth are present than ever before. We came from all over the world to this year's Review Conference with a great notion of hope. This is a message we want to spread and gain momentum. We believe it is crucial that this positive and enthusiastic atmosphere will be maintained and transformed into a positive outcome. At this Conference we discuss disarmament, defence, deterrence, non-proliferation, sovereignty, security doctrines, technical issues and more. The main reason we pursue these negotiations is our common objective of security. At the heart of this security, which our governments work so hard to protect, is something even more important: life. We must ask ourselves: How can we best preserve and protect all life on this planet? What do we need to ensure the true fulfilment of the human rights our governments have committed themselves to? We would like to give you an impression of what we are talking about when we talk about life. Life is what matters. Our families and friends should be our motivation to abolish a weapon that could destroy their lives. We asked young people from around the world what they love in their lives. Today we have the pleasure to present you some of their answers. I love going to my football academy and scoring goals, I love my family and having dinner with them, and many more things - Ishaan Jha, 15 years from India I love my family. No matter what happens, they love me for nothing and I feel a special bond between us. I love them as well as I thank them. - Sumi Iyo, 25 years from Japan I love to cut, to glue and to draw. I love making things for my mum. – Gianna Sauer, 4 years from Germany What type of security do we need, to ensure the ultimate aim: preserving life? We know the question of security is difficult, there is a multitude of…

    • 1433 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Youth culture today
    • 1885 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Youth culture today

    "Men, Men—these are wanted : everything else will be ready; But strong, vigorous, believing young men, sincere to backbone. A hundred such and the world become revolutionised."…

    • 1885 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Youth Values of Today
    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Youth Values of Today

    Ethics and personal values are integral parts of most people’s lives. So why don’t they teach some of these values in schools as we grow and are preparing to go into the world as mature adults. We should choose to prepare our youth for the good and bad of this world, for they are unaware of what they are about to enter. I didn’t know what I was entering until I was loaded with responsibility without any warning. As people grow up, most will learn some of the values that are most important. As I have seen in my time at college, some of these teenagers need to learn a few more.…

    • 1004 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Changing Values of Today's Youth
    • 276 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Changing Values of Today's Youth

    We Are Living In 21st Century, Aren’t We? Most Advanced Era Of The Human Kind Till Date Called Facebook Generation.…

    • 276 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Powerful Essays

    Vision of My Dream India
    • 3974 Words
    • 16 Pages

    Vision of My Dream India

    The 'media explosion' has shrunken the world, especially for the youth, and they are now more aware of things around. This has also raised their level of aspiration and ambition. With materialism, consumerism and individualism gaining ascendancy, modern…

    • 3974 Words
    • 16 Pages
    Powerful Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Challenges facing youths today
    • 1520 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Challenges facing youths today

    Most of the problems facing today’s youth are not restricted to any one ethnic or religious group, but affect young people generally. Most discussions on youth have focussed on issues such as drug abuse, crime, violence, sexuality and poverty. In addition to these, today’s youth are afflicted by new challenges.…

    • 1520 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Youth today
    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Youth today

    Youth is where I find myself right here and now. That's according to the social media and older people the worst generation to be in, because they believe that youth, are rude and ill-mannered that we only think about ourselves, party and the having fun. I do not totally agree, of course I try to enjoy every minute of life and have fun, but also provide concurrently to take care of my school, work, and family and build a future for myself. This is the impression I also have of youth in the others big countries we here about around the world, as America and Britain. Two totally different views between the youth and those outside of the youth generation, as example our grandparents and the people as talks about it in the media. The social media run youth up to a much bigger problem than it really are. The young people do well and doesn't make big problems on their way, some do maybe, but it's a small number, and the media only looks at those and just judge the rest young people from what they have seen. That's not fair, because many young people behave just as nicely as the adults. Sometimes there so much focus on youth, that the adults can hind behind them. These older who judge the young people do not think about always whomsoever responsibility it was to raise and educate them, namely there. The older generation are the ones who must educate young people and create the new generation, so if they are so unhappy with the youth, they can just look back at themselves, as not did their jobs with raising the young well enough.…

    • 629 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More

Related Topics