"Media Literacy" is a big buzz word these days. Know what it means? Well, let's break it down...
So, being Media Literate means being able to READ what you are SEEING and HEARING.
What do you think the media is telling young girls in 2011?
You don't have to look too far before you see girls in way too little clothing in compromising poses with boys. You can see that just walking at the mall and peeking into stores like Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch.
You don't have to flip through the channels for more than a few seconds before you see something that objectifies girls/women as "eye candy." Whether it's a commercial for Victoria Secret or a music video from the newest hit song.
Most of you are Media Literate enough to know that those images you see have been airbrushed and fixed to be perfect but that doesn't mean it is not affecting your self-esteem.
And how about YOUR attitudes toward people who are not perfect? If you do a little soul searching, you may find you are what I like to call "quietly critical" about those around you...even your best friends. "Those jeans make her butt look big, I hope my butt looks better than that." Do things like this float around in your head? Of course they do. The media has TRAINED you to do that.
When I think about how the media has trained us to look at OTHER people and "make fun" in our heads I have to think of GIBBY on iCarly. The poor kid's claim to fame is when he takes his shirt off and his "healthy sized" belly jiggles. Sure, he is an actor - he is acting. But with the "laugh reel" playing every time he does it, it is actually TRAINING YOU to think someone who is overweight is a TARGET for your GIGGLES.
This week's journaling exercise is for you to pay attention to what the media is telling you through ads, tv shows, magazine covers, etc. and write about it...
Happy Journaling!
- to be *literate* is to be able to read, right? Yes.
- the *media* is what you see and hear on TVand the internet and in music and magazines, right? Yes.
So, being Media Literate means being able to READ what you are SEEING and HEARING.
What do you think the media is telling young girls in 2011?
You don't have to look too far before you see girls in way too little clothing in compromising poses with boys. You can see that just walking at the mall and peeking into stores like Hollister and Abercrombie & Fitch.
You don't have to flip through the channels for more than a few seconds before you see something that objectifies girls/women as "eye candy." Whether it's a commercial for Victoria Secret or a music video from the newest hit song.
Most of you are Media Literate enough to know that those images you see have been airbrushed and fixed to be perfect but that doesn't mean it is not affecting your self-esteem.
And how about YOUR attitudes toward people who are not perfect? If you do a little soul searching, you may find you are what I like to call "quietly critical" about those around you...even your best friends. "Those jeans make her butt look big, I hope my butt looks better than that." Do things like this float around in your head? Of course they do. The media has TRAINED you to do that.
When I think about how the media has trained us to look at OTHER people and "make fun" in our heads I have to think of GIBBY on iCarly. The poor kid's claim to fame is when he takes his shirt off and his "healthy sized" belly jiggles. Sure, he is an actor - he is acting. But with the "laugh reel" playing every time he does it, it is actually TRAINING YOU to think someone who is overweight is a TARGET for your GIGGLES.
This week's journaling exercise is for you to pay attention to what the media is telling you through ads, tv shows, magazine covers, etc. and write about it...
- What examples did you see? What shows/magazines/commercials?
- How did it make you feel when you saw it and realized how it was re-TRAINING your brain?
- How will you handle this now that you are aware?
- Will you share this idea of Media Literacy with your friends?
Happy Journaling!
This is an excellent exercise to make girls aware of the effect of media on their perceptions & expectations re ideal body etc. I like the journaling sheet as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Melanie! I am a doodle-freak so I love adding this kind of inspiration to the journal pages I do for the girls.
ReplyDelete