Research paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 3

Research Paper Example Whatever a child learns in his/her tender age leaves an indelible expression on his mind for the entire life. Socializing agents thus play an important role in establishing one’s persona and making him/her a better citizen. Parents, Media, Peers and School are the major socializing agents. The mass media are impersonal communication aimed at a wider audience. Television, Radio, Internet, Cinemas are various examples of mass media. Mass media, in general influences every man of every age. It spreads information at wider scale therefore it strongly influences one’s opinions, views and thus changing and affecting our attitudes about many things. Television is a main source of entertainment and a major agent of socialization. Mass media influences our political views, views on women, people of color, our taste in popular culture, what to buy and various other beliefs and practices. Through the portrayal of imaginary characters in different programs and advertisements media helps in projecting gender, political, religious, perceptions. Some programs effect people’s orientation towards life and society as well. It also serves as a platform to present their ideas to the world when required. Writer 2 After his parents and caregivers, within the comforts of his home, a child gets the exposure to mass media in the form of radio, listening to the nursery rhymes and then watching them on television in the form of various adaptations and characters. Some studies indicate that the children learn to work together, do group activities, value each other’s presence by means of character description or story adaptations. Some programs for kids like Noggin promote healthy eating and exercise. Wiggles promote education on nutrition and activity. Sesame Street teaches healthy life style and new numbers and alphabets in a playful way. There are meaningful and informative programs for school going children and adults. Thus right programs serve as educating and learning tools. No doubt, Television and media in general serves as educational and informational tool but it has negative influences on children. Studies indicate it shortens attention span, distorts body image and in conjunction with other factors leads to obesity. â€Å".. the mass media socialize children, adolescents, and even adults; a key question is the extent to which media violence causes violence in our society† (Surette, 2011). Some programs showing excessive violence and anti social activities influence children behavior thus spreading violence in the society. Certain advertisements target kids and affect their thinking. Models, famous movie stars and popular sports man who are the role models are shown smoking which appears as an acceptable norm to the children. Another example is presentation of women image on television as sexual object or as a passive home maker leaves a negative impression on kids mind. Models and movie stars endorse beauty products and cosmetic uplift which encourages young girls to experiment with it. Anorexia, bulimia, depression and low self esteem are the outcome of these influences. Another controversy that surrounds mass media is the Writer 3 behavior troubles among youth. By the time the kids reach their adolescence, these influences become prominent on their thought processes. Drugs, violence, petty crimes to satisfy their urges and requirement as they have been watching on the television or in cinemas become acceptable norm for them. Some programs sho