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Take Control of your Teenager | No Thanks |
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| Media Images and Teens Today |
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The sex in media images out there today can be a thwarting sight for a teen. The advertising industry has become more adept at utilizing sex to attract the eyes of adolescents today. For example, just opening a fashion/beauty or lifestyle magazine one may come across a fashion ad wherein a man and a woman in their designer clothes are having vulgar sex on a grass field, out in the open. Traditionally, fashion advertising is done in the more conventional confines of the studio or store; and in recent years, on ramp or catwalk venues. The product being promoted is usually displayed on racks or on mannequins. But at present advertising options have expanded to the use of live models in action, doing poses and parading in a choreographed manner. In this ad, the advertiser further stretches the limits of social acceptability by presenting the product-- the outfits or fashion wear-- through models acting out a bold and outrageous sexual scene. The man and woman, as lovers, are doing their "business" not in private but literally out there. Here, what used to be a "social taboo" is exploited in utter disregard. They are hungrily groping, fondling and stroking while clad in their trendy outfits and the T-back style underwear, making a fashion statement. The strength and comfort of the fabric or materials used are implied in the context of passion and freedom. As parents we must become increasingly aware of the fact that ads today can be thwarting for our teenagers and we must be there to explain questions that may come up in their heads because of these images portrayed. Modern times and popular culture has affected the choice of the advertiser in experimenting or "going beyond" in its manner of getting the attention of the consumer society by projecting the wearability and flexibility of the fashion wear, even in a spontaneous situation of wild "no cares" sex under the noses of the viewing public. In this particular example, it would be of key importance to make one’s self aware of these media images and be available to your teenager to guide him/her with any misinterpretations of material he/she may have. This is a concrete illustration of post modernity and pop culture working on people's sensibilities and individualism, giving emphasis on style at the expense of content. In the process of social change, moral values and the concept of freedom are eroded. This is precisely why you must be there for your teenager in order to correct any misconceptions of values or ideals that any particular ads may bring about in your teen’s mind. |




