The Media Exposure of Children and Youths - Essay Example

 The Media Exposure of Children and Youths Introduction Rideout, Roberts and Foehr reported that the media exposure of children and youths in the modern world influences their personal life to a great extent (6). Their study showed that the youth between the ages of 8 and 18 spend more than 6.5 hours using different media forms; the amount of time spent on media is far more than that spent together with parents; the time spent on sports and that used to do homework (Rideout, Roberts and Foehr 6). Out of the total number of hours, about 3 hours and 51 minutes is spent on TV, according to the study, and my experience was not any different from that of the sample studied. By spending this time watching the TV, video and films, I got loads of information that connected with my life experiences, and more importantly, the experiences influenced my life in different ways. Through this paper, I will review two films: Adam's Rib (1949) and Real Women Have Curves (2002), to show how the two have influenced and shaped my life. In particular, these two movies have highlighted the themes of gender, ethnicity and the role of parents, and have been instrumental in the development of my personal life. Discussion The influence of Adam's Rib (1949) during my childhood As a Muslim, I had grown to the age of fifteen years, knowing and believing that men were superior to women in all ways, including the way they could succeed in education and career. However, during one evening, I watched a movie that would change my view of women and their potential within the society. Previously, I had watched my mother taking her roles as a housewife very confidently and proudly, until it was almost unusual for me to imagine the place of a woman in reputable roles like national administration, law or medicine (Rideout, Roberts and Foehr 6). The place that I had associated with women is commonly the reality among Muslims, as their culture and way of life, limit the entry of women into positions of leadership (Mernissi 34). The common socialized outlook, among Muslims especially those living in Muslim societies is that men are stronger than women intellectually, physically and socially, therefore allow men to dominate women (Mernissi 34). However, this outlook towards the roles and the positions of the two genders changed drastically, and the change has continued to change, since that time. The film showcases the lives of a married couple, Adam and Amanda Bonner (wife). From the scene of a girl who had shot her partner due to his unfaithfulness, the prejudices surrounding the relationships between men and women became clear, through Adam and Amanda who argued endlessly (Cukor). In a way that I could predict, Adam took the side of the man who had been shot by the girl and Amanda sympathized with the girl being prosecuted. The reaction of the couple highlighted my previous understanding about the ways in which the relations and the interactions of men and women should be, as it showcased the double standards applied to men and women in society. From the scene where Adam is assigned the case, I had no doubt that he would favor the side of the man, but the sharp contrast between the sides taken became clear after Amanda took the side of the girl. From the preferences of Adam, to represent the man, and Amanda to represent the girl, I already identified a sense of biasness against women, in the American setting. Through the experience and the actions of Amanda, the film caught my attention, because it quickened my realization that many women are sidelined by society, based on social and cultural formulations. The theme about women’s subordination and victimization was very clear to me, citing my experiences living in a Muslim family and society. The experience about the victimization of women in society changed my outlook towards life, and the experience made me change my views about the place and the role of women within the society. However, the actions of Amanda demonstrated that the position of women can be remedied and that women can take a better place in society. The success of Amanda in the case, and also her composure throughout the case, it became clear that women possess as much potential as men. Following the demonstration of the potential of women, by making a plea to the judge (which changed the course of the case) my feelings of pity for women changed into respect and regard. Through the exposure of the life of women, where the contrast between the experience of Amanda and the accused girl showcased the situation, my views about women changed forever; that lesson has never changed since then. Through Amanda, I witnessed the important role that women can play in society, and their potential to change things. Through the case of the accused girl, I witnessed the social and cultural prejudices that subject women to suffering within the society (Cukor). The weakness that I identified from the movie was that the plot was frail, and the argument relatively imractical. However, that did not stop the message from influencing my life. The influence of Real Women Have Curves (2002) during my teenage years Fassin reported the restrictive nature of European immigration policies (362-364). During the 1990s, Asylum seekers were often accused of being illegal immigrants, which made them get expelled, unless humanitarian could be used to prequalify them as deserving to get sympathy (Fassin 364). Through the film, Real Women Have Curves highlighted the adversity that faces the foreigners living in Los Angeles (which is similar for other countries and urban areas) through the experiences of Ann Garcia (Cardoso). Through the movie, which I watched at the age of 19, it was emphasized to me that the race of a person or the racial prejudice they face is not enough to make them failures in society. For example, the potential of foreigners achieving and succeeding in foreign countries became clear from Ann’s success at Beverly Hills High School, where she became one of the best students. Through Ana’s life, I gained the lesson and the experience that all people can excel and become whatever they want to achieve. Through the experience of Ana Garcia, I also learnt the importance of gaining self-respect, and that experience has helped me all-through, during the situations of decision-making and occupying my rightful place in society (Cardoso). Through the life of Ana, I gained the experience that, being a foreigner living in a foreign country does not mean that I am inferior or disadvantaged. Through the film, the strength that comes from overcoming self-image issues became clear to me, and that lesson has changed my interactions with others and the potential that I posses to pursue and realize anything (Cardoso). Through the application of that lesson into my life, I have overcome situations that could overpower me, and I have become a more likeable person than I would have been. In particular, being a Muslim living in a foreign country, where Muslims face all forms of rejection and prejudice, it would be difficult for me to succeed in any field. The weaknesses that I identified from the movie include that the movie emphasised the importance of physical appearance, which cannot be changed by people, especially women, who may face self-confidence issues due to it. However, it was succesful in communicating the importance of self-confidence and the potential of success for all. Conclusion The media exposes children and youths to immense knowledge, and that knowledge influences their lives in many ways. During my past, I have watched many movies; many have influenced life in many ways. After watching Adam's Rib (1949), I gained the lessons that, women posses as much potential as men, and that women can play an important role in society. The movie changed my life in different ways, including that I gained respect for women, I see beyond social prejudices and I believe in the potential of women. From watching the film Real Women Have Curves (2002), I gained the lessons that race and racial prejudice cannot deter the success of a person. From the experience of watching the movie, I have gained unshakable self-respect, and I have accomplished what I could not have made without the lesson. Works Cited Cardoso, Patricia. Real Women Have Curves. Newmarket Films, 2002. Film. Cukor, George, dir. Adam’s Rib. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1949. Film. Fassin, Didier. DiCompassion and Repression: The Moral Economy of Immigration Policies in France. Cultural Anthropology, 20.3 (2005): 362–387. Mernissi, Fatima. The Harem within – Tales of a Moroccan Girlhood. London: Transworld Publishers, 1997. Print. Read More