In this weeks discussion question, I chose Mass Media as my agent of socialization. Mass media, i.e., television, internet, magazines and video games, are some of the more recently developed agents of socialization. Previously, it was our peers, family and community that were influential to us because of the lack of mass media.
Magazines as an agent of socialization affect us in many ways. Many things in magazines affect the way that we live our lives and respond to daily cues in life. Seeing a picture of a model, Miranda Kerr, for example, may convince us that to be considered beautiful we must look like Miranda. They show us that our differences may not be acceptable because they are not the standard of beauty set by society. They tell …show more content…
I believe that some children have yet to develop the difference between reality and fantasy and at times the lines can get crossed. This generation of children are more technologically savvy than ever before. With the use of television and video games as babysitters, our youth have become inundated with these forms of entertainment. Video games that have been rated from 12 to Mature have a substantial amount of violence and sexual content in them. The amount of violence and sexism in these games could give a child the wrong impression. Children begin to use violence more often now than in the days of “Cowboys & Guns or Cops & Robbers”. These video games have the potential to set the norm for the child playing them. Sometimes it can cause the child to grow up thinking that it is okay to objectify women, treat them as property or use them for sexual favors. Additionally, they show them that using guns is a means to an end if you have a problem with someone or want something you can not ordinarily obtain. This sets the pace for how our young children grown into young adults. Conversely, if a child is too sheltered this can isolate the child and make them more vulnerable to the bad things in our
Magazines as an agent of socialization affect us in many ways. Many things in magazines affect the way that we live our lives and respond to daily cues in life. Seeing a picture of a model, Miranda Kerr, for example, may convince us that to be considered beautiful we must look like Miranda. They show us that our differences may not be acceptable because they are not the standard of beauty set by society. They tell …show more content…
I believe that some children have yet to develop the difference between reality and fantasy and at times the lines can get crossed. This generation of children are more technologically savvy than ever before. With the use of television and video games as babysitters, our youth have become inundated with these forms of entertainment. Video games that have been rated from 12 to Mature have a substantial amount of violence and sexual content in them. The amount of violence and sexism in these games could give a child the wrong impression. Children begin to use violence more often now than in the days of “Cowboys & Guns or Cops & Robbers”. These video games have the potential to set the norm for the child playing them. Sometimes it can cause the child to grow up thinking that it is okay to objectify women, treat them as property or use them for sexual favors. Additionally, they show them that using guns is a means to an end if you have a problem with someone or want something you can not ordinarily obtain. This sets the pace for how our young children grown into young adults. Conversely, if a child is too sheltered this can isolate the child and make them more vulnerable to the bad things in our