One of three winning articles from our essay contest on the Media from Bearden H.S.
Dear Company;
I would encourage you to stop advertising women as sexual objects who need men. The shows need to show strong independent women who are confident in themselves and don’t need male attention for reassurance. There also needs to be more male characters who show respect and value women. Whether you believe it or not, teens are influenced by what you show them. So set positive examples and teens will follow. We are not ignorant. We know what’s going on and we want it to stop. I want to watch a television program and walk away having learned a positive message. We are the future of this country, so do you want us to be drug addicts or in prison or unwed mothers or have low self-esteem because we’re influenced by what you show us? Think about it. It’s a team effort. You show us the right things and we’ll do the right thing.
By: Summer B., Bearden High School, Arkansas
One of three winning articles from our essay contest on the Media from Bearden H.S.
Dear Company;
There are a lot of things I find wrong with what you (advertising companies) are advertising. There are millions of kids, teenagers, and adults who are influenced by the things you advertise every day. I know you’re making money but do you really want your children and other kids growing up in an environment where sex, drugs, and violence are the only things talked about? I really think you should consider creating a more positive and clean media for younger people. A benefit will come of it. As a teenager I am very concerned because I know there are a lot of things I have seen and heard that have an impact on my actions. I wish you would just consider what I am asking of you.
By: Cynthia C., Bearden High School, Arkansas
One of three winning articles from our essay contest on the Media from Bearden H.S.
Dear Company;
Many teens are attracted to the media on television, such as MTV and even though they watch it all the time, there are some changes that should be made.
When I’m at home watching T.V., I usually look for shows that are funny so I sometimes find them on MTV. Usually, the shows start out okay, but they all seem to turn the same way. I hardly ever see a descent sized girl on a show and if I do, they’re usually portrayed as a “loser” or an outcast and it makes many girls think that no guy will like them if they aren’t super skinny, which is not true. This also sends a message to guys that they should find a girl like that and if a girl isn’t “perfect” enough, then they won’t be cool if they like her. Many teens become self-conscious and depressed over these things.
Another change should be less bad language. When I watch T.V., I sometimes let a few bad words slide, but when it’s just 30 minutes of profanity, I tend to not even see what’s so funny about it and why I would even want to watch it. I also feel bad if my parents see me watching it because I don’t want them to think that that is how I am or how I’m going to be. I want them to trust me and know they actually raised me well.
By: Erin L., Bearden High School, Arkansas
