The Responsibility of Teachers Surrounding the Issue of Sexual Imaging in the Media
December 8, 2004
Today’s presentation dealt with the very disturbing yet unmistakably real issue of sexual imaging in the media. While the message being communicated was something that everyone in our class seemed to repeatedly criticize, we can’t deny the impact this kind of advertising is having on society in general (especially our precious children). I think we have to take a step back and re-evaluate the usefulness of this presentation from a teacher’s perspective.
Many children are falling victim on a daily basis to the images these ads are portraying. The most common comment from the girls is the desire to be like Brittany Spears or Jessica Simpson. However, the pressure to be something you’re not is also felt in the boys’ camp. Many young men are fully aware of the fascination that girls have with celebs like Usher and Johnny Depp, and struggle to figure out how they can compete for a girl’s attention.
Since these images gain attention and boost sales, they are not simply going to disappear. We as educators have to teach our students how to love and accept themselves for who they are. Otherwise, our society is doomed to a reality of huge therapy bills dealing with problems like: eating disorders, depression, STD’s, and excessive drug and alcohol use. Of course the real danger of these images becomes apparent when kids start dying in the process of striving towards what many would describe as unattainable goals.
Even though I never fell victim to the pressure of looking or acting a certain way, I have a friend from high school who struggles to control her eating disorder. To make matters worse, I never knew about it until she came to me at wits end begging for help. She explained to me that in an average day, she was throwing up six or seven times. She admitted to not being able to keep food in her system longer than about an hour, and she exercised like crazy. When I listened to her stories, I was angered. Here was this amazing girl-smart, funny, and extremely outgoing who hated herself because the media constantly told her she didn’t fit the bill of beauty!
From a male perspective, my brother constantly informs me that you have to wear the right clothes, and be buff to have a beautiful girlfriend. For Christmas this year, my brother asked for two things-a drum set and a weight set. He’s only 13! However, the pressure to conform to an ideal image is extremely strong. For those who will never achieve the “desired” look, my brother says the only way they could ever get a girl is to become a rebel (a.k.a. do drugs, get suspended from school, steal, cheat on tests, have unprotected sex, and constantly lie without getting caught). How horrible is that!
Even though having Jessica Simpson or Usher grace the cover of a popular magazine will ultimately boost sales, we have to stop and ask ourselves “Is this worth the price we’re having to pay?” I mean obviously the lives of our children hang in the balance. We should not have the right to rob them of what should be coined a “wonderful childhood” simply because we have to make a profit.
As teachers, we can teach our students to respect their bodies and build self-esteem. It is crucial that everyone believes beauty comes from within, and is not wrapped up in a certain image (i.e. blonde hair, big boobs, tiny waste, six-pack, body muscle etc). We need to foster the development of individual talents, and strengthen the association of success with hard work and intelligence. As I stated above, focus on the importance of loving yourself for who you are. If it helps, expose the fraudulence of the media, and Barbie (if your audience is that young). Plus, highlight how boring life would be if we all looked exactly the same; our differences are what attract other people to be our friends and life partners. We should not be ashamed of our uniqueness.
Most importantly, just be aware of what the students in your classroom are reading and watching! If you come across something unpleasant or hear inappropriate comments, try to address these issues through your lessons. I know I will certainly make an effort after hearing and observing the impact media has had on people near and dear to my heart. It absolutely disgusts me!
Today’s presentation dealt with the very disturbing yet unmistakably real issue of sexual imaging in the media. While the message being communicated was something that everyone in our class seemed to repeatedly criticize, we can’t deny the impact this kind of advertising is having on society in general (especially our precious children). I think we have to take a step back and re-evaluate the usefulness of this presentation from a teacher’s perspective.
Many children are falling victim on a daily basis to the images these ads are portraying. The most common comment from the girls is the desire to be like Brittany Spears or Jessica Simpson. However, the pressure to be something you’re not is also felt in the boys’ camp. Many young men are fully aware of the fascination that girls have with celebs like Usher and Johnny Depp, and struggle to figure out how they can compete for a girl’s attention.
Since these images gain attention and boost sales, they are not simply going to disappear. We as educators have to teach our students how to love and accept themselves for who they are. Otherwise, our society is doomed to a reality of huge therapy bills dealing with problems like: eating disorders, depression, STD’s, and excessive drug and alcohol use. Of course the real danger of these images becomes apparent when kids start dying in the process of striving towards what many would describe as unattainable goals.
Even though I never fell victim to the pressure of looking or acting a certain way, I have a friend from high school who struggles to control her eating disorder. To make matters worse, I never knew about it until she came to me at wits end begging for help. She explained to me that in an average day, she was throwing up six or seven times. She admitted to not being able to keep food in her system longer than about an hour, and she exercised like crazy. When I listened to her stories, I was angered. Here was this amazing girl-smart, funny, and extremely outgoing who hated herself because the media constantly told her she didn’t fit the bill of beauty!
From a male perspective, my brother constantly informs me that you have to wear the right clothes, and be buff to have a beautiful girlfriend. For Christmas this year, my brother asked for two things-a drum set and a weight set. He’s only 13! However, the pressure to conform to an ideal image is extremely strong. For those who will never achieve the “desired” look, my brother says the only way they could ever get a girl is to become a rebel (a.k.a. do drugs, get suspended from school, steal, cheat on tests, have unprotected sex, and constantly lie without getting caught). How horrible is that!
Even though having Jessica Simpson or Usher grace the cover of a popular magazine will ultimately boost sales, we have to stop and ask ourselves “Is this worth the price we’re having to pay?” I mean obviously the lives of our children hang in the balance. We should not have the right to rob them of what should be coined a “wonderful childhood” simply because we have to make a profit.
As teachers, we can teach our students to respect their bodies and build self-esteem. It is crucial that everyone believes beauty comes from within, and is not wrapped up in a certain image (i.e. blonde hair, big boobs, tiny waste, six-pack, body muscle etc). We need to foster the development of individual talents, and strengthen the association of success with hard work and intelligence. As I stated above, focus on the importance of loving yourself for who you are. If it helps, expose the fraudulence of the media, and Barbie (if your audience is that young). Plus, highlight how boring life would be if we all looked exactly the same; our differences are what attract other people to be our friends and life partners. We should not be ashamed of our uniqueness.
Most importantly, just be aware of what the students in your classroom are reading and watching! If you come across something unpleasant or hear inappropriate comments, try to address these issues through your lessons. I know I will certainly make an effort after hearing and observing the impact media has had on people near and dear to my heart. It absolutely disgusts me!
posted by Chantelle @ 1:24 PM
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