Monday, May 5, 2008
Why are teens filming fighting and/or brutality and putting the films on the internet?
Five girls from Roger Williams Middle School got into a fight on school grounds, someone filmed four girls beat up a fifth girl then was posted on You Tube. In the blurb on NBC 10 a representative from Butler Hospital spoke about the incident. She says the rise of publicizing fights and brutality is due to teens wanting to show power, inferiority, and to intimidate and instill fear in others.
How many teens affiliated with the same political party as their parents or guardians?
80% of the thirty teens I interviewed affiliated with the same political party as their parents or guardians.
13% affiliated with a didn’t party
7% did not affiliate with a party or did not know what party their parents or guardians affiliated with.
13% affiliated with a didn’t party
7% did not affiliate with a party or did not know what party their parents or guardians affiliated with.
Gold Locks
I felt as though there was an overwhelming amount of information on the Listen up site. Because I didn’t really know what to look at I found navigating through out the site frustrating. I think this is an interesting website, but I wish there was more direction. Although I felt overwhelmed by the quantity of videos but, there was one film that stuck out to me; Gold Locks. Gold Locks stuck out for me because I just recently donated 13 inches of hair to Locks of Love. I was very surprised to learn it takes approximately 5 ponytails to make one wig. With 9,500 children diagnosed with cancer in 2006 alone there is a great need for hair. I hope that I will be able to continue donating my hair in the future.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
“AS IF”… Pop Culture Totally Effects Teenagers.
As Greenfield states, “teens are greatly influenced by the television and films they watch, the magazines they read and the music they listen to. The 1995 film Clueless was an influential film for many teens and preteens during that period of time. The film is based upon the lives of high school students from Beverly Hills. Cher, the most popular girl in school, is the main character. Although Cher and her friends are barely 16 years old, they live more lavished lives than middle aged millionaires (That’s because they are the children of those millionaires.) “If anyone in Beverly Hills is clued in, it's Cher. She's almost 16, she's rich, she's way popular, and she loves letting the world benefit by her expertise in all of life's important issues--like dating, fashions and looking good.” (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/info) Clueless was one of the most popular films in 1995, grossing more that 56 million dollars in the box office.
What messages are popular teen films, such as Clueless sending to young adults?
“My whole self image has been formed mostly by others or underneath my worries about what I look like are of being exposed to TV images of girls and their set roles given to them by TV and the media.” (Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us.) Cher influenced me as well as thousands of other young ladies. When I was younger I wanted to be Cher, I wanted to look like her, drive a car like hers, my favorite saying was “as if”, Cher’s signature motto.The characters of Clueless were digital natives of their time, with cell phones and pagers. OMG! Did you see Cher’s closet? I even had a Clueless hands free telephone.
Like the students in LA showed Greenfield, the characters from Clueless showed the viewer “the powerful allure of the Hollywood dream.” The movie created the allure of the Hollywood for many viewers. High school students around the country were made to believe that they to could have all of the luxuries that Cher and her friends possess. This notation plays into the idea that teens have become “preoccupied with become other than who they are.”
The film also deals with the “importance of image, celebrity, and popularity.” When Tai, the new girl, arrives at Beverly Hills High Cher and her best friend Dion (the two most popular girls in school) give her a makeover. With a new image Tai becomes just as popular as Cher and her friends. Tai went from being the new kid in school who no one wanted to be associated with, and by changing the cloths she wears, the way she speaks, and who she hung out with, she became popular.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Real Women Have Curves
On April 21st I attended an event put on by LASO, Latin American Student Organization. We watched the film Real Women Have Curves then discussed issues relating to the movie. Real Women Have Curves is a film about Ana… “Ana Ferrera has an appetite for life, for love, for ideas. But not everybody appreciates where that appetite is taking her. Real women take chances, have flaws, embrace life… and have curves.”
Thomas Hines talks about teenagers, “figuring out where they fit in-to the universe, the world, the economy, their social circle, their family- is a project on which teenagers spend a lot of their time and energy.” In this film I feel Ana knows where she fits in, her struggles lie with her family accepting Ana’s decision to be an independent woman. Hines also talks about the common misconception about “the concept that a teenager rests in turn on the idea of the adolescent as a not quite competent person, beset by stress and hormones.” I feel Ana’s family, especially her mother, have the same misconception about Ana when she is a intelligent, strong willed, independent female who is looking to further her education.
Some issues that came up in our discussion:
“In careers women are paid less”: Not only do females in the same positions as men get paid less but female dominated professions such as at teaching and nursing tend to receive a lower salary than male dominated professions such as electricians and plumbers.
“Women are only housewives”: Is there a head of your household? If so, who is the head of your household? The idea that women are only housewives may depend on your family’s costumes and values, which may determine what is expected of you as a wife or daughter. The terms women and housewife are associated with one another. Why can’t there be a househusband? Although it seems as though these stereotypes are changing from generation to generation housewives still exist. My generation, living in the United States, seems to have less tolerance for this concept. In some households today it isn’t just about expectation put on women but what each woman allows. A way to break expectations such as the women must take on all household responsibilities is to not allow it, expect the other members of the house to share the responsibilities with you. Standing up for yourself from the start and letting your partner know exactly what you will and will not allow is a way to break the housewife stereotypes. Rather than having your partner take you out to dinner take them out to dinner. Don’t always let the other person drive you around, you can drive too. People (men and woman) will treat you the way you allow them to treat you. Set your standards from the beginning.
In “Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us” Christensen talks about the “secret education, which instructs young people to accept the world as it is portrayed in movies, cartoons and other various form of pop culture.” The dominant discourse of our society plays a huge role in gender stereotyping.
“The perfect body”: In Greenfield’s preface she expresses her concern about the widespread “early loss of innocence.” “Teens are greatly influences by television and films they watch, the magazines they read and the music they listen to.” The most common imaged we see are the media and Hollywood’s perception of the perfect body. It is also difficult to deal with family pressures, “you’re too fat, loose weight”. There is no “perfect body” your body is perfect, that’s why it was given to you. There seems to be more stress on females to have the “perfect body” because the images we see are mostly female. About 90% of the fashion industry is female oriented.
Thomas Hines talks about teenagers, “figuring out where they fit in-to the universe, the world, the economy, their social circle, their family- is a project on which teenagers spend a lot of their time and energy.” In this film I feel Ana knows where she fits in, her struggles lie with her family accepting Ana’s decision to be an independent woman. Hines also talks about the common misconception about “the concept that a teenager rests in turn on the idea of the adolescent as a not quite competent person, beset by stress and hormones.” I feel Ana’s family, especially her mother, have the same misconception about Ana when she is a intelligent, strong willed, independent female who is looking to further her education.
Some issues that came up in our discussion:
“In careers women are paid less”: Not only do females in the same positions as men get paid less but female dominated professions such as at teaching and nursing tend to receive a lower salary than male dominated professions such as electricians and plumbers.
“Women are only housewives”: Is there a head of your household? If so, who is the head of your household? The idea that women are only housewives may depend on your family’s costumes and values, which may determine what is expected of you as a wife or daughter. The terms women and housewife are associated with one another. Why can’t there be a househusband? Although it seems as though these stereotypes are changing from generation to generation housewives still exist. My generation, living in the United States, seems to have less tolerance for this concept. In some households today it isn’t just about expectation put on women but what each woman allows. A way to break expectations such as the women must take on all household responsibilities is to not allow it, expect the other members of the house to share the responsibilities with you. Standing up for yourself from the start and letting your partner know exactly what you will and will not allow is a way to break the housewife stereotypes. Rather than having your partner take you out to dinner take them out to dinner. Don’t always let the other person drive you around, you can drive too. People (men and woman) will treat you the way you allow them to treat you. Set your standards from the beginning.
In “Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us” Christensen talks about the “secret education, which instructs young people to accept the world as it is portrayed in movies, cartoons and other various form of pop culture.” The dominant discourse of our society plays a huge role in gender stereotyping.
“The perfect body”: In Greenfield’s preface she expresses her concern about the widespread “early loss of innocence.” “Teens are greatly influences by television and films they watch, the magazines they read and the music they listen to.” The most common imaged we see are the media and Hollywood’s perception of the perfect body. It is also difficult to deal with family pressures, “you’re too fat, loose weight”. There is no “perfect body” your body is perfect, that’s why it was given to you. There seems to be more stress on females to have the “perfect body” because the images we see are mostly female. About 90% of the fashion industry is female oriented.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Final Project Outline
The following are questions I intend to focus on when interviewing teens. I plan on taking their answers and analyzing them.
Politics and Current Issues
If you could vote in the 2008 presidential election who would you vote for?
Why?
What are your feelings on the election?
Where did you hear or get the information you used to form your opinions?
What political party would you affiliate yourself with? Why?
What party does your parents or the people you live associate with?
When was the last time you watch the news? World or local?
What was going on in the new at that point in time?
When was the last time you read the news paper?
What did you read about at that point in time?
What state do you feel our country is currently in?
Why do you feel this way?
Can it be changed, if so how?
What state do you feel our economy is currently in?
Why?
Can it be changed if so how?
What are some current issues that concern you?
Where did you hear or learn about these issues?
Politics and Current Issues
If you could vote in the 2008 presidential election who would you vote for?
Why?
What are your feelings on the election?
Where did you hear or get the information you used to form your opinions?
What political party would you affiliate yourself with? Why?
What party does your parents or the people you live associate with?
When was the last time you watch the news? World or local?
What was going on in the new at that point in time?
When was the last time you read the news paper?
What did you read about at that point in time?
What state do you feel our country is currently in?
Why do you feel this way?
Can it be changed, if so how?
What state do you feel our economy is currently in?
Why?
Can it be changed if so how?
What are some current issues that concern you?
Where did you hear or learn about these issues?
Monday, April 14, 2008
Where is the balance between digital and physical?
After reading these articles I understand that technology and internet spaces such as You Tube and MySpace can be used as both positive and negative spaces.
I have mixed feelings whether or not these online spaces could or should be considered a community. The digital native in me thinks of theses spaces as a great mean of communication. I feel that online spaces are a great tool to use to get people informed. And spread information to a large number of people at once.
The digital immigrant in me is concerned about the fine line between digital and physical. It concerns me when I hear people saying they talked to someone when what they are referring to is leaving a message on one another’s MySpace accounts.
I feel that there has to be a balance between the digital world and the physical world. If there were more places and things for the youth to go and do then that balance will easily exist.
I was very interested in Boyd’s piece and the issues she brought up. “Over 50 million accounts have been created…MySpace has more views per day than any site on the web except Yahoo”
“The potential risks on MySpace are not why youth are flocking the site. To them, the benefits for socialization outweigh the potential harm.”
“Many teens access MySpace at least once a day or whenever computer access is possible.”
“Profiles provide an opportunity to craft the intended expression through language, imagery and media.”
“Friends are expected to comment as a sign of their affection.”
Adults, or digital immigrants, are “arguing that the digital does not replace the physical. Teens agree, it is not the technology that encourages youth to spend time online- it’s the lack of mobility and access to youth space here they can hang out uninterrupted.”
“Teens have increasingly less access to public space.”
I agree, I don’t think there are enough positive extracurricular activities for teens, nor are their means of transportation for the teens to get there.
Things I disagree with:
“While the potential predator or future employers don’t concern most teens, parents and teachers do”.
Not every teen hates adults or does not want anything to do with their parents or teachers. Some teens look up to adults. I find that most teens are very interested in their teachers and what they do outside of school. If a teacher created a MySpace account a majority of their students and other students from that school will be interested to see what they have posted.
I have mixed feelings whether or not these online spaces could or should be considered a community. The digital native in me thinks of theses spaces as a great mean of communication. I feel that online spaces are a great tool to use to get people informed. And spread information to a large number of people at once.
The digital immigrant in me is concerned about the fine line between digital and physical. It concerns me when I hear people saying they talked to someone when what they are referring to is leaving a message on one another’s MySpace accounts.
I feel that there has to be a balance between the digital world and the physical world. If there were more places and things for the youth to go and do then that balance will easily exist.
I was very interested in Boyd’s piece and the issues she brought up. “Over 50 million accounts have been created…MySpace has more views per day than any site on the web except Yahoo”
“The potential risks on MySpace are not why youth are flocking the site. To them, the benefits for socialization outweigh the potential harm.”
“Many teens access MySpace at least once a day or whenever computer access is possible.”
“Profiles provide an opportunity to craft the intended expression through language, imagery and media.”
“Friends are expected to comment as a sign of their affection.”
Adults, or digital immigrants, are “arguing that the digital does not replace the physical. Teens agree, it is not the technology that encourages youth to spend time online- it’s the lack of mobility and access to youth space here they can hang out uninterrupted.”
“Teens have increasingly less access to public space.”
I agree, I don’t think there are enough positive extracurricular activities for teens, nor are their means of transportation for the teens to get there.
Things I disagree with:
“While the potential predator or future employers don’t concern most teens, parents and teachers do”.
Not every teen hates adults or does not want anything to do with their parents or teachers. Some teens look up to adults. I find that most teens are very interested in their teachers and what they do outside of school. If a teacher created a MySpace account a majority of their students and other students from that school will be interested to see what they have posted.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Kid Nation
The task for the 40 pre-teens and teens in a New Mexico “ghost town” is to “try to fix their forefather’s mistakes and build a new town that works.”
“This is to prove that kids of all age groups can actually take control, get organized and that you can actually work together cooperatively” I feel the concept of Kid Nation goes against the common discourse regarding children and teens.
“They’ll cope with regular childhood emotions and situations,” the participants are just coping with millions of Americans watching. The producers of Kid Nation and Thomas Hine’s beliefs go against the popularized ideas such as: the concept of the teenagers rests in turn on the idea of the adolescent as not quite competent person, beset by stress and hormones.
Although I have never seen the show I can see how this show would be entertaining; it is showing children in positive situations. Kid Nation is showing America that children can be leaders. This show is one of the few positive representations of children in the media.
“The makers of Kid Nation have been variously accused of violating local child labor laws, not paying participants enough, and abuse and neglect after several children suffered minor injuries in the course of filming” I don’t feel there is a problem with CBS because the parents or guardians of the participants had to sign an agreement, “which released CBS and its producers from responsibility for serious bodily injury, illness or death.” After reading and signing the agreement whatever happens is in the stations responsibility.
Although these articles talked about how these children were going to fail or how these kids are going against the “norm” but not one of the authors mentioned the prerequisites or the application process. What were the producers looking for? These children could possibly be very gifted leaders. The authors write about the Kid Nation participants are “regular” kids but are they? Greg Thot, for example his “jaw-dropping bio”, there are not many children, or adults for the instance that have such a resumé.
“This is to prove that kids of all age groups can actually take control, get organized and that you can actually work together cooperatively” I feel the concept of Kid Nation goes against the common discourse regarding children and teens.
“They’ll cope with regular childhood emotions and situations,” the participants are just coping with millions of Americans watching. The producers of Kid Nation and Thomas Hine’s beliefs go against the popularized ideas such as: the concept of the teenagers rests in turn on the idea of the adolescent as not quite competent person, beset by stress and hormones.
Although I have never seen the show I can see how this show would be entertaining; it is showing children in positive situations. Kid Nation is showing America that children can be leaders. This show is one of the few positive representations of children in the media.
“The makers of Kid Nation have been variously accused of violating local child labor laws, not paying participants enough, and abuse and neglect after several children suffered minor injuries in the course of filming” I don’t feel there is a problem with CBS because the parents or guardians of the participants had to sign an agreement, “which released CBS and its producers from responsibility for serious bodily injury, illness or death.” After reading and signing the agreement whatever happens is in the stations responsibility.
Although these articles talked about how these children were going to fail or how these kids are going against the “norm” but not one of the authors mentioned the prerequisites or the application process. What were the producers looking for? These children could possibly be very gifted leaders. The authors write about the Kid Nation participants are “regular” kids but are they? Greg Thot, for example his “jaw-dropping bio”, there are not many children, or adults for the instance that have such a resumé.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
You're Invited to Happy Hour
MAKE YOUR HAPPY HOUR LAST FOREVER!
Hello everyone,
I would like to invite you to Happy Hour.
I have been working with Mary Olenn, planning an event about drinking and driving. Mary has arranged for Linda Chaves, from MADD, to show us her latest presentation and speak about the effects of drinking and driving.
Happy Hour will be held this Tuesday, April 8th in the Browne Hall Upper Lounge at 7:30pm. Mocktails and refreshments will be served.
I hope to see you there!
Hello everyone,
I would like to invite you to Happy Hour.
I have been working with Mary Olenn, planning an event about drinking and driving. Mary has arranged for Linda Chaves, from MADD, to show us her latest presentation and speak about the effects of drinking and driving.
Happy Hour will be held this Tuesday, April 8th in the Browne Hall Upper Lounge at 7:30pm. Mocktails and refreshments will be served.
I hope to see you there!
Final Project Topic
For my final project I am interested in the way teenagers view politics and current issues. I would like to interview teens to try to get their perspectives. I am also interested in where the teens get their information; from classes, parents, the news.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
What will it take to stop drinking and driving?
It was not difficult finding articles relating to teenagers. An article that stuck out to me was the Tuesday, March 27, 2008 Providence Journal. The article was about a Barrington teenager who was sentenced after hitting a man while driving intoxicated on December 29, 2007. DUI and driving drunk is very common, especially with teenagers and young adults. Within the past six months three DUI incidents have hit close to home. One of incidents was at the end of January and one of my friends was killed in that drunk driving crash.
I call it a crash not an accident because any time someone drives under the influence it is not accident, the driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel; just as this teenager made the decision to drive after he had been drinking on December 29th. In the article the court chief judge, Jeremiah said “Barrington police recently referred 12 other teens to his court on alcohol possession charges.” Recently 12 teens in Barrington alone, and 12 is only the number that got caught.
Jeremiah also spoke about the sentenced teen calling him “intelligent”. I feel as though most of the people who get themselves into a situation such as DUI are intelligent, but what happens to make them think they can drink and drive? Where are the friends who are drinking with the individuals, how can they allow them to drive?
The sentenced teen’s blood alcohol content when he was pulled over on the 29th was .035 which is below the legal limit, but because he was not 21 years of age it is illegal. If you under 21 any blood alcohol content level will get you arrested!
This teen was sentenced to six months in the state training school, 200 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim and undergo alcohol counseling. The teen’s layer, Dana, was happy with the judges decision he feels, “It keeps my clients future intact. It allows him to continue on with his life without lifelong ramifications.” “These types of offenses will not go without severe punishment.” In my opinion 6 months in a training school, some community service and counseling is not severe punishment. This teen does not have lifelong ramification, but what about the victim and his family?
Tuesday, April 8th I am having an event at 7:30 in Browne Hall upper lounge: How to Make You Happy Hour Last. Please join us!
I call it a crash not an accident because any time someone drives under the influence it is not accident, the driver makes the decision to get behind the wheel; just as this teenager made the decision to drive after he had been drinking on December 29th. In the article the court chief judge, Jeremiah said “Barrington police recently referred 12 other teens to his court on alcohol possession charges.” Recently 12 teens in Barrington alone, and 12 is only the number that got caught.
Jeremiah also spoke about the sentenced teen calling him “intelligent”. I feel as though most of the people who get themselves into a situation such as DUI are intelligent, but what happens to make them think they can drink and drive? Where are the friends who are drinking with the individuals, how can they allow them to drive?
The sentenced teen’s blood alcohol content when he was pulled over on the 29th was .035 which is below the legal limit, but because he was not 21 years of age it is illegal. If you under 21 any blood alcohol content level will get you arrested!
This teen was sentenced to six months in the state training school, 200 hours of community service, write a letter of apology to the victim and undergo alcohol counseling. The teen’s layer, Dana, was happy with the judges decision he feels, “It keeps my clients future intact. It allows him to continue on with his life without lifelong ramifications.” “These types of offenses will not go without severe punishment.” In my opinion 6 months in a training school, some community service and counseling is not severe punishment. This teen does not have lifelong ramification, but what about the victim and his family?
Tuesday, April 8th I am having an event at 7:30 in Browne Hall upper lounge: How to Make You Happy Hour Last. Please join us!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Boys aren't really bad
Bad Boys
By Ann Arnett Ferguson
As soon as I started reading this piece I was shocked and rather disgusted by the a quote a teacher speaking to Ferguson, “That one has a jail-cell with his name on it.” I was so shocked a teacher would say that about their student and turned off by the piece.
As I read on I realized Ferguson was not agreeing with this teacher she was trying to figure out how could or why a teacher would say something like this about their student.
Ferguson’s purpose was to bring awareness to the “hidden curriculum.” Ferguson brings forward the hidden curriculum which “marginalizes and isolates black male youth in disciplinary spaces and brands them as a criminally inclined.”
If a teacher does not have confidence in a student have can the student have confidence in him or herself?
“No one at the school seemed surprised that the vast majority of children defined as “at-risk” of failing academically, of being future school dropouts, were mostly black and male.” Why is this? Whose fault is this? If you ask me this is the teacher’s and administration’s fault. A school administrator spoke about a student saying the child was “‘unsalvageable’ and on whom precious resources would be wasted” WASTED!?! First of all it is not the administration that is paying for the resources; it is tax payers, the student’s parents. The job of administration and teachers is to create equity and equal education and opportunity for all students, and they are clearly not doing that in Rosa Parks School.
“One-half of the Rosa Parks student body was black, and one third was white. The teaching was predominately white and female.” It seems as though these teacher are staying in their comfort zone, what they know, and not getting to know or understand their students that have a different race and or gender then them. Instead students are being sent to the Punishing Room. In the Punishing Room the students are not being challenged, they just sit and do their work without the positive attention from a teacher.
Once Ferguson gets to know Horace she sees the sweet, responsible, knowledgeable child his is. If the teachers get to know the students, where they come from, and what their home life is like they may view the students in a different way.
Even though I was frustrated with the context of this study (the teachers) I am so happy I was made aware of the “hidden curriculum.”
By Ann Arnett Ferguson
As soon as I started reading this piece I was shocked and rather disgusted by the a quote a teacher speaking to Ferguson, “That one has a jail-cell with his name on it.” I was so shocked a teacher would say that about their student and turned off by the piece.
As I read on I realized Ferguson was not agreeing with this teacher she was trying to figure out how could or why a teacher would say something like this about their student.
Ferguson’s purpose was to bring awareness to the “hidden curriculum.” Ferguson brings forward the hidden curriculum which “marginalizes and isolates black male youth in disciplinary spaces and brands them as a criminally inclined.”
If a teacher does not have confidence in a student have can the student have confidence in him or herself?
“No one at the school seemed surprised that the vast majority of children defined as “at-risk” of failing academically, of being future school dropouts, were mostly black and male.” Why is this? Whose fault is this? If you ask me this is the teacher’s and administration’s fault. A school administrator spoke about a student saying the child was “‘unsalvageable’ and on whom precious resources would be wasted” WASTED!?! First of all it is not the administration that is paying for the resources; it is tax payers, the student’s parents. The job of administration and teachers is to create equity and equal education and opportunity for all students, and they are clearly not doing that in Rosa Parks School.
“One-half of the Rosa Parks student body was black, and one third was white. The teaching was predominately white and female.” It seems as though these teacher are staying in their comfort zone, what they know, and not getting to know or understand their students that have a different race and or gender then them. Instead students are being sent to the Punishing Room. In the Punishing Room the students are not being challenged, they just sit and do their work without the positive attention from a teacher.
Once Ferguson gets to know Horace she sees the sweet, responsible, knowledgeable child his is. If the teachers get to know the students, where they come from, and what their home life is like they may view the students in a different way.
Even though I was frustrated with the context of this study (the teachers) I am so happy I was made aware of the “hidden curriculum.”
Monday, March 17, 2008
Reality vs. Fantasy
Preface, Fast Forward
By Lauren Greenfield
The purpose of this piece is to “explore the ways in which young people from diverse background are similarly influenced by the popular culture.”
It seems as though the main theme through out the piece is that “young people are preoccupied with being someone other than they are.”
Our society puts importance on image and celebrity. Hollywood influences this culture. All or most children are influenced by Hollywood the same, even though they come from different economic backgrounds.
Greenfield’s photos shower there is a “powerful allure of the Hollywood dream.” The photos also reveal an element of our culture as it manifests itself in the lives of children.”
People go to Hollywood expecting to see stars and be glamorous but there are two sides to Hollywood. Geographical Hollywood: “there is a dramatic contrast between the run-down neighborhood that is the geographical Hollywood and the mythic Hollywood that exists in the media.” The media only shows a small population, a small percentage of the population live elaborate lives. Tricia Rose spoke about the statistic, ninety percent of our country’s wealth is owned by 10 percent of the population, at Journey to the Motherland.
The photos also reveal “an element of our culture as it manifests itself in the lives of children.” Greenfield photographed thirteen year old children holding $100 bills. Where did these children get the money? The reason they are taking pictures this way is because they are copying the artists they see in music videos and on TV. What message are we sending young children?
By Lauren Greenfield
The purpose of this piece is to “explore the ways in which young people from diverse background are similarly influenced by the popular culture.”
It seems as though the main theme through out the piece is that “young people are preoccupied with being someone other than they are.”
Our society puts importance on image and celebrity. Hollywood influences this culture. All or most children are influenced by Hollywood the same, even though they come from different economic backgrounds.
Greenfield’s photos shower there is a “powerful allure of the Hollywood dream.” The photos also reveal an element of our culture as it manifests itself in the lives of children.”
People go to Hollywood expecting to see stars and be glamorous but there are two sides to Hollywood. Geographical Hollywood: “there is a dramatic contrast between the run-down neighborhood that is the geographical Hollywood and the mythic Hollywood that exists in the media.” The media only shows a small population, a small percentage of the population live elaborate lives. Tricia Rose spoke about the statistic, ninety percent of our country’s wealth is owned by 10 percent of the population, at Journey to the Motherland.
The photos also reveal “an element of our culture as it manifests itself in the lives of children.” Greenfield photographed thirteen year old children holding $100 bills. Where did these children get the money? The reason they are taking pictures this way is because they are copying the artists they see in music videos and on TV. What message are we sending young children?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Does it Really Take Two to Tango?
Juno is a film about teenage pregnancy. The main character, Juno MacGuff, finds out she is pregnant after having sex just once. Juno decides against having an abortion and chooses to put her baby up for adoption. After Juno carefully picks the couple she is going to give her baby to the couple separates. Juno carries her pregnancy to term and gives birth to a boy. Vanessa Loring, a now single mother, adopts the baby willing and wanting to raise him on her own. After giving birth Juno begins dating Bleeker, the baby’s biological father, and her life goes back to “normal.”
“June bug, that is a tough, though, thing to do; it’s probably tougher than you can even understand right now.” (Juno, 2007) I feel as though Diablo Cody (Writer) and Jason Reitman (Director) created the film Juno to “tap the glass” and make the viewer aware that most teenagers can handle more responsibility than society thinks they can, or allows them to. As Thomas Hine writes in The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager, “They (teenagers) have problems, of course, but they feel confident about coping with them.” Juno is one of those teenagers that proves she can make handle stressful situations and make responsible decisions. After being faced with the reality of abortion Juno decides to carry the baby to term and give it up for adoption. Juno researches adoption and choose a couple almost entirely on her own. Juno is also able to handle the ridicule she received, at school, the doctor’s office, and in public, for being a pregnant teen. There is a fine line, and this film is not promoting teen pregnancy but it is showing that teenagers make mistakes; teens can have an unplanned pregnancy just like any other women can, but there are options, and they can get through it. “It’s not the end of the world.”
After watching this film I was very frustrated and confused with the gender roles. I didn’t know whether to take Juno’s independence as a good thing or a bad thing. I could not, or did not want to, believe that Bleeker was not going to take any responsibility for Juno’s pregnancy. “What, are you ashamed that we did it? Cause at least you don’t have the evidence under your sweater.” (Juno, 2007. Juno speaking to Bleeker) Bleeker’s life when on as normal while Juno went though a very difficult situation alone. He was “off the hook”, not even his mother knew the child was his, while Juno walked around “looking like a planet.” (Juno, 2007)
Through out the film there were very strong female roles and not so strong male roles. Juno was strong and witty while her stepmother and friend, Leah, stood by her side during the pregnancy. The two were not only emotional support but they were with Juno at her ultrasound and even in the delivery room. Both Bleeker and Juno’s father did not take part in the pregnancy. In the end of the film Vanessa Loring, Jennifer Garner’s character, is an excited, new single mother ready to face the world with her son by her side. The strong, independent female characters show the women don’t even need men.
Is female independence the message this film, or is the message something more dangerous? I think it is a really good thing that Juno is a strong, independent female and doesn’t need Bleeker, but what does this say to teenagers? I feel the film may be sending a message that says: if a female gets pregnant it is her body, her decision and her problem. Both the male and female involved should be taking responsibility for their actions.
The film Juno touches upon several issues including teenagers and gender. There are both positive and negative messages to be found through out the film. Although the film is created with an ideal audience, and an intended theme or message I feel as though parts of the film can be open for interpretation, allowing the viewer to make the decision for him or herself.
“June bug, that is a tough, though, thing to do; it’s probably tougher than you can even understand right now.” (Juno, 2007) I feel as though Diablo Cody (Writer) and Jason Reitman (Director) created the film Juno to “tap the glass” and make the viewer aware that most teenagers can handle more responsibility than society thinks they can, or allows them to. As Thomas Hine writes in The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager, “They (teenagers) have problems, of course, but they feel confident about coping with them.” Juno is one of those teenagers that proves she can make handle stressful situations and make responsible decisions. After being faced with the reality of abortion Juno decides to carry the baby to term and give it up for adoption. Juno researches adoption and choose a couple almost entirely on her own. Juno is also able to handle the ridicule she received, at school, the doctor’s office, and in public, for being a pregnant teen. There is a fine line, and this film is not promoting teen pregnancy but it is showing that teenagers make mistakes; teens can have an unplanned pregnancy just like any other women can, but there are options, and they can get through it. “It’s not the end of the world.”
After watching this film I was very frustrated and confused with the gender roles. I didn’t know whether to take Juno’s independence as a good thing or a bad thing. I could not, or did not want to, believe that Bleeker was not going to take any responsibility for Juno’s pregnancy. “What, are you ashamed that we did it? Cause at least you don’t have the evidence under your sweater.” (Juno, 2007. Juno speaking to Bleeker) Bleeker’s life when on as normal while Juno went though a very difficult situation alone. He was “off the hook”, not even his mother knew the child was his, while Juno walked around “looking like a planet.” (Juno, 2007)
Through out the film there were very strong female roles and not so strong male roles. Juno was strong and witty while her stepmother and friend, Leah, stood by her side during the pregnancy. The two were not only emotional support but they were with Juno at her ultrasound and even in the delivery room. Both Bleeker and Juno’s father did not take part in the pregnancy. In the end of the film Vanessa Loring, Jennifer Garner’s character, is an excited, new single mother ready to face the world with her son by her side. The strong, independent female characters show the women don’t even need men.
Is female independence the message this film, or is the message something more dangerous? I think it is a really good thing that Juno is a strong, independent female and doesn’t need Bleeker, but what does this say to teenagers? I feel the film may be sending a message that says: if a female gets pregnant it is her body, her decision and her problem. Both the male and female involved should be taking responsibility for their actions.
The film Juno touches upon several issues including teenagers and gender. There are both positive and negative messages to be found through out the film. Although the film is created with an ideal audience, and an intended theme or message I feel as though parts of the film can be open for interpretation, allowing the viewer to make the decision for him or herself.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Is technology helping or hurting students today?
Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants
written by: Marc Prensky
This piece was rather difficult for me to read because I found myself disagreeing and becoming frustrated with the piece and the writer. I understand and agree with the fact the today’s generation, which includes myself, is different and much more technology savvy from generations and students in the past but also disagree with many of Prensky’s ideas.
Prensky says “this so called singularity (an event which changes things so fundamentally that there is absolutely no going back) is the arrival and rapid dissemination of digital technology in the last decades of the 20th century.”
“Today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors.”
Dr. Bruce D. Berry argues that “different experiences lead to different brain structures. It is likely that our students’ brains have physically changed.
I agree with the previous quotes but I also feel that although the digital native generation is the first generation to grow up with technology but people of previous generations tend to be just as attached to and savvy with technology.
“Our students today are all “native speakers” of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet.” What about the students and child of this generation that can not afford to have these luxuries? There are plenty families that do not have the money to properly heat their homes or to put well balanced meals on the table, never mind own a computer or video game systems and pay the monthly bill for the internet. Where do these children fall? If teachers decide to change the curriculum and the way they teach what will happen to these students? Will they be able to adapt as well at the students that have access to the luxuries of technology?
“Our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language, are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language.” Some teachers are still doing a wonderful job teaching “Digital Natives”. No matter how the students change there will always be “good” teachers who get through to their students and “bad” teacher who have difficulties getting through to their students. The “good” teachers are those who adapt and are constantly looking for new ways to relate to their students and improve their teaching. I think those teachers who struggle connecting with their students are just stuck in their ways and not willing to adapt the way other teacher do. Both students and teacher learn from each other.
“Digital Immigrants don’t believe their students can learn successfully while watching TV or listening to music because they can’t. Digital Immigrants think learning can’t or shouldn’t be fun.” I feel as though Prensky’s ideas are very general, not everyone feels this way nor does it apply to the entire population he is speaking about.
Prensky describes Digital Natives as “thriving on instant gratification and frequent rewards. They prefer games to “serious” work” doesn’t this apply to everyone. I don’t know many people who wish to take everything seriously over having some fun.
written by: Marc Prensky
This piece was rather difficult for me to read because I found myself disagreeing and becoming frustrated with the piece and the writer. I understand and agree with the fact the today’s generation, which includes myself, is different and much more technology savvy from generations and students in the past but also disagree with many of Prensky’s ideas.
Prensky says “this so called singularity (an event which changes things so fundamentally that there is absolutely no going back) is the arrival and rapid dissemination of digital technology in the last decades of the 20th century.”
“Today’s students think and process information fundamentally differently from their predecessors.”
Dr. Bruce D. Berry argues that “different experiences lead to different brain structures. It is likely that our students’ brains have physically changed.
I agree with the previous quotes but I also feel that although the digital native generation is the first generation to grow up with technology but people of previous generations tend to be just as attached to and savvy with technology.
“Our students today are all “native speakers” of the digital language of computers, video games and the Internet.” What about the students and child of this generation that can not afford to have these luxuries? There are plenty families that do not have the money to properly heat their homes or to put well balanced meals on the table, never mind own a computer or video game systems and pay the monthly bill for the internet. Where do these children fall? If teachers decide to change the curriculum and the way they teach what will happen to these students? Will they be able to adapt as well at the students that have access to the luxuries of technology?
“Our Digital Immigrant instructors, who speak an outdated language, are struggling to teach a population that speaks an entirely new language.” Some teachers are still doing a wonderful job teaching “Digital Natives”. No matter how the students change there will always be “good” teachers who get through to their students and “bad” teacher who have difficulties getting through to their students. The “good” teachers are those who adapt and are constantly looking for new ways to relate to their students and improve their teaching. I think those teachers who struggle connecting with their students are just stuck in their ways and not willing to adapt the way other teacher do. Both students and teacher learn from each other.
“Digital Immigrants don’t believe their students can learn successfully while watching TV or listening to music because they can’t. Digital Immigrants think learning can’t or shouldn’t be fun.” I feel as though Prensky’s ideas are very general, not everyone feels this way nor does it apply to the entire population he is speaking about.
Prensky describes Digital Natives as “thriving on instant gratification and frequent rewards. They prefer games to “serious” work” doesn’t this apply to everyone. I don’t know many people who wish to take everything seriously over having some fun.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us
Unlearning the Myths That Blind Us written by Linda Christensen
Was everything I was exposed to as a child a part of socialization? All of the leading lady I adored in the movies I used to watch as a child no longer seem to be so great. My favorite movies no longer seem exciting. Before reading this piece I had never though about the messages of socialization children have been receiving for decades. The more I think about the article the more I analyze the movies and media I was exposed to as a child. How are corporations such as Disney able to get away with sending such issues to young children?
I found it interesting that Kenya and Sabrina “wanted the race of the actors changed but they didn’t challenge the class or underlying gender inequalities that also characterize the lives of Cinderella, Ariel the Mermaid, and Snow White.”
Was everything I was exposed to as a child a part of socialization? All of the leading lady I adored in the movies I used to watch as a child no longer seem to be so great. My favorite movies no longer seem exciting. Before reading this piece I had never though about the messages of socialization children have been receiving for decades. The more I think about the article the more I analyze the movies and media I was exposed to as a child. How are corporations such as Disney able to get away with sending such issues to young children?
I found it interesting that Kenya and Sabrina “wanted the race of the actors changed but they didn’t challenge the class or underlying gender inequalities that also characterize the lives of Cinderella, Ariel the Mermaid, and Snow White.”
The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager
The Rise and Fall of the American Teenager written by Thomas Hine.
Teenagers are constantly misrepresented and misunderstood. Hine’s purpose in this piece is to “sketch out a useful context for thinking about the young.” I thought the fact that Hine’s had written this piece over a 30 year period was very interesting. It is true that teenagers deal with a lot of stress and a high level of hormones but Hine’s says that “surveys show that teenagers are not miserable at all. They have problems, of course, but they feel confident about coping with them. I feel as though parents and adults do not understand the fact that teens can cope with problems when that say “I don’t think he or she will understand they don’t have enough experience,” or “he or she can not cope they are too young.” How might an adult know if the teen can cope or deal with the topic at hand if they do not allow them?
Teenagers are constantly misrepresented and misunderstood. Hine’s purpose in this piece is to “sketch out a useful context for thinking about the young.” I thought the fact that Hine’s had written this piece over a 30 year period was very interesting. It is true that teenagers deal with a lot of stress and a high level of hormones but Hine’s says that “surveys show that teenagers are not miserable at all. They have problems, of course, but they feel confident about coping with them. I feel as though parents and adults do not understand the fact that teens can cope with problems when that say “I don’t think he or she will understand they don’t have enough experience,” or “he or she can not cope they are too young.” How might an adult know if the teen can cope or deal with the topic at hand if they do not allow them?
When I was 13
When I was 13, I was an eighth grader at Winman Junior High. I was considered an “average” thirteen year old. I was in standard classes, I wasn’t considered the extremely popular but was well known. I belonged to a small group of good friends whom I am still friends with today. My friends and I may have been considered “boy crazy” or social butterflies. We would attend Friday night dances every month in the gymnasium, in search of our next love interest. When weren’t thinking about guys we were very creative making our own music videos, making up dances or just being outrageous. When I was thirteen, I living on top of the world.
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