This blog post relates to chapter 4 in our media textbook; specifically, the idea stemmed from pps 118 and 126. It also relates to my previous blog of censorship...
On page 118 in the side margin it talked about T-shirts for young girls and padded bras for 9 year olds. This is a definite problem, but in this case I blame the parents. I don't want to insult anyone here, but if you 9 year old daughter is wearing a padded bra that is YOUR fault. The 9 year old does not have a job or car to go out and buy the bra herself, therefore the parents are the ones buying them and encouraging the rapid growth of their child. I don't care if she throws a temper tantrum, don't buy the bra. I do not have a child so do not know what it is like to deal with their lash outs, but in this case I think it is necessary to absolutely put your foot down and say NO.
On page 126 it talks about the images of disability. First I would like to point out that I looked at the picture of Cerrie Burnell and saw nothing wrong with it. It was not until I read the yellow box that I realized she did not have an arm. I knew she was going to have some sort of disability but clearly it did not affect my opinion of her, because I didn't even notice it. The yellow box stated that Cerrie was subjected to letters by parents in which their children were scared by her image. That is ridiculous. One, teach your children to accept people for who they are and that not everybody is perfect. Two, if you don't want them to be "scared" by certain images then don't let them watch shows that have these particular images. Again, I don't want to insult any parents but this is my opinion.
So in these two cases, yes the media has a role, but I put most of the blame on the parents. There are things in the world that you can't shelter your children from no matter how hard you try, but in these circumstances there are things you can do.
Michaela, I completely agree. I looked over these sections in the text book and have the same reaction as you do. It is true that the media can be out of control with inappropriate images and behaviors which can be unnecessary, but it’s also true that parents have every power to monitor their children if they try hard enough that is. I am an example, growing up our family computer was in the living room, so when I was using the internet my parents were behind me or at least around. I also was limited to certain TV shows I watched, shows like Ren and Stimpy and The Simpsons were off limits in my home. I also had to follow the rated R and PG 13 rules until I was old enough to. They were strict (at the time) but I am glad they were. I did not need to be learning adult things at a immature age, it ruins children’s youth. About the bra, your parent should know if your 9 years old and you have a padded bra on, let’s be real here. Its outrageous.
ReplyDeleteOn page 126, I was disgusted to read that parents were sending those letters that is unbelievable. Children should be learned at a young age that people have disabilities but those disabilities do NOT change them as a human, friend, pupil or family member by any means. And it’s true, I bet those children who were scared by Cerries appearance, watch shows worse than that. This blog posts relates to Janelle G’s about cyber bullying, it really is parents job to protect their children from our media today. We don’t have the power to change what’s on TV, but we can control it.