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Essay on teen suicide awareness
A speech about teenage suicide awareness should be increased
Essay on teen suicide awareness
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One rising issue in the United States is teen sexuality. As teenage homosexuality gains notice, changes are being made in America with social treatment of gays. Tragedies such as the youth suicides which led to the precipitation of the It Gets Better campaign are instigating a social movement. Gay Straight Alliance clubs are more common on public school campuses than they previously have been, and the idea of “gay is okay” is being shown via the television broadcast system. Americans are being exposed to gay culture and are becoming more accepting of it because of the exposure. One show with a unique set of characteristics is Glee. Glee is a show on a national network with the reputation of being conservative: FOX, which makes it more surprising that the show also holds the record for number of non-heterosexual teenage characters on a prime time show (four). The popularity of this show, marked by their success in ratings and merchandising (average of 9.4 million viewers each episode, over 30 million digital and physical record sales, and a cult following self titled as “Gleeks”), means that whatever messages shown in their forty-four minute run time are making their way out to the public .
To analyze the content of Glee, I watched all of season one and a portion of season two (as it is still airing) and took notes on anything where an open or closeted teen homosexual was interacting or mentioned. Each episode ran an average of forty-four minutes accounting for commercial breaks and for special episodes that ran longer than the normal hour slot. In all, approximately 16 hours of television was reviewed. Patterns appeared out of the notes such as supposed behavior of teen homosexuals and collective beliefs and attitudes about teen...
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... be purely up to the media to change this problem of one masculinity and one femininity. Glee is a unique show and has done so much, but the rest of America needs to do more.
Works Cited
Baptist, Joyce A., and Katherine R. Allen. "A Family’s Coming Out Process: Systemic Change and Multiple Realities." Contemporary Family Therapy 30.2 (2008): 92-110. Print.
Naugler, Diane. “Wearing Pink as a Stand Against Bullying: Why We Need To Say More.” Journal of Homosexuality 57.3 (2010): 347-363
Oswald, Ramona Faith. "Family and Friendship Relationships After Young Women Come Out as Bisexual or Lesbian." Journal of Homosexuality 38.3 (1999): 65-83.
Pascoe, C. J. "Multiple Masculinities?: Teenage Boys Talk about Jocks and Gender." American Behavioral Scientist 46.10 (2003): 1423-438.
Woolery, Lisa M. “Gaydar.” Journal of Homosexuality 53.3 (2007): 9-17
Kidd, Dustin. 2014. “Not that There’s Anything Wrong with That: Sexuality Perspectives.” Pp. 129-163 in Pop Culture Freaks: Identity, Mass Media, and Society. Boulder: Westview Press.
In the new millennium, the concepts of racial diversity in multiculturalism have become part of the fabric of American discourse. Consequently, the television industry faces an increased pressure from advocacy groups to better reflect the nation’s demographic reality. Many observers of American popular culture believe that multicultural television fare presented when children are most likely to be viewing this critical to advancing acceptance of racial and ethnic diversity in the United States. (Wilson, Gutierrez & Chao) Being a show designed for younger audiences, Everybody Hates Chris is able to address racial stereotypes to young audiences and possibly impact the way younge...
Many transgender people lived in dysfunctional families when they were young. The support becomes vital for the wellbeing of kids. In her book Redefining Realness by Janet Mock, recaps the importance of support from Michelle his cousin, who kept in secrets of gender dysphoria of Charles (Keisha) by saying “‘Pinkie –swear you won’t tell your mom’…She’d keep the secret my secret because I was her favorite cousin” (Mook 76). Michelle, kept Keisha’s secret by allowing her to use her swimming clothes. Michelle shows the importance of support from relatives. This is a fundamental factor that might help with the development of her gender identity. Many transgender people may feel a relief at the time to disclose their identity. When transition is in progress the support from friends and families becomes important because, many transgender people might suffer if they lack support. Many transgender people seem depressed because they are rejected by society. Janet Mock, relates how Wendi, support Charles, by making him feel comfortable, saying “Wendi and I grew inseparable trough middle school, a bond that would link us for the rest of our lives. Through association, my class –mates learned that I was like Wendi-who hadn’t yet adopted any labels to describe her shifting self” (Mook 107). In most cases transgender people’s acquaintances can be referred as transgender people just by friendship. The association makes transgender people to gain confidence about their gender identity. The support from groups or friends makes transgender people feel that they are accepted and not alone. Support from friends might urge transgender people to come out the “closet” and reveal their gender identity to gain respect among society. The support from friends is important, but family support seems to be the most important. When families do not support transgender people it causes a hostile environment that may suppress
The average America watches more than 150 hours of television every month, or about five hours each day (“Americans,” 2009). Of the 25 top-rated shows for the week of February 8-14, 2010, six were sitcoms, averaging 5.84 million live viewers each (Seidman, 2010), to say nothing for the millions more who watched later on the Internet or their Digital Video Recorders. The modern sitcom is an undeniable force in America, and its influence extends beyond giving viewers new jokes to repeat at the water cooler the next day: whether Americans realize it or not, the media continues to socialize them, even as adults. It may appear at first glance that sitcoms are a relatively benign force in entertainment. However, the modern sitcom is more than just a compilation of one-liners and running gags. It is an agent of gender socialization, reinforcing age-old stereotypes and sending concrete messages about how, and who, to be. While in reality, people of both sexes have myriad personality traits that do not fall neatly along gender lines, the sitcom spurns this diversity in favor of representing the same characters again and again: sex-crazed, domestically incompetent single men enjoying their lives as wild bachelors, and neurotic, lonely, and insecure single women pining desperately to settle down with Prince Charming and have babies. Sitcoms reinforce our ideas about what it is “normal” to be, and perhaps more importantly feed us inaccurate ideas about the opposite sex: that women are marriage-crazed, high-maintenance, and obsessed with the ticking of their biological clocks, while men are hapless sex addicts whose motives can’t be trusted. The way that singles are portrayed in sitcoms is harmful to viewers’ understanding of themselves...
The world is an ever-revolving place. Where in the blink of an eye what was once considered trendy and interesting becomes obsolete in minutes. Fashion, publications, social media, entertainment, and celebrities are news one minute and cease to be acknowledged the next. Which is why when a cable television show, targeted at teenagers on a moderately popular network becomes the most watched television show on Tuesday nights, people have something to talk about. Pretty Little Liars, an ambitious show- for the network that once was solely dedicated to Christian shows such as 700 club- has quickly redefined the way that a show can measure its success. In an article published by Entertainment Weekly it clearly and effectively documents the show and also its rule bending success.
Moses, E. A. & Hawkins, R. O. (1982). Counselling Lesbian Women and Gay Men: A Life Issues Approach. St Louis: Mosby.
This report observes the consequences that televised sexuality has by different, essentially observing reality shows, soap operas, animated shows, and comedies. Moreover, they related the quantity of sexual content with the repeated references t...
Today television shows are widely praised for their portrayal of different characters sexuality. On Modern Family a same-sex couple’s life is shown through their relations with their family and raising a child. There’s also shows aimed at young adults that are receiving attention for their depiction of gay or lesbian characters such as Glee and Pretty Little Liars. Even the Disney Channel has shown a same-sex couple on the show Good Luck Charlie (with some backlash claiming that since Disney is intended for children that they should seek merely to entertain and not to push an agenda). On the contrary to this argument is the idea, that same-sex couples are becoming more and more normal thus they should make it recognizable to children.
By analyzing my very own personal investment in the idea that heterosexuality is normal, I have realized that I am currently and that I used to deliberately present myself in a heterosexual persona to the world at large. Personally, when I was young, I used to be uncomfortable with women who broke the social norms of heteronormativity in public. I remember feeling anxious, and believing that one day soon society would perceive me as a divergent towards the norms because I hang out with women who didn’t present a heterosexual persona. I feared unspeakable things that would happen to me once I lost my privileges of being perceived as the ‘good’ heterosexual female. The lost of my social standing in society scared me; I was already a minority,
Despite the transition, little consideration has been given to understanding the growing population of gay adolescents. 25% of American families are likely to have a gay child (Hidalgo 24); In the United States, three million adolescents are estimated to be homosexual. Yet, American society still ignores gay adolescents. Majority of children are raised in heterosexual families, taught in heterosexual establishments, and put in heterosexual peer groups. Gay adolescents often feel forced by parents to pass as “heterosexually normal” (Herdt 2). As a result, homosexual teens hide their sexual orientation and feelings, especially from their parents. Limited research conducted on gay young adults on disclosure to parents generally suggests that disclosure is a time of familial crisis and emotional distress. Very few researchers argue that disclosure to parents results in happiness, bringing parents and children closer (Ben-Ari 90).
The 1990s saw a surge of gay characters in both television and movies. From Ellen Degeneres and her character Ellen Morgan coming out under much scrutiny on the TV show ‘Ellen,’ to Julia Roberts and Rupert Everett comedically playing off each other in the motion picture ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding.’ Sure, gays and lesbians have been around forever, especially in Hollywood. But never has there been a time to be more out. With the popularity of shows like Will and Grace, which feature leading gay characters, as well as Dawson’s Creek
... and Lesbian Families." ERIC.com. Educational Resources Information Center, Dec. 1993. Print. 04 Dec. 2013.
An issue that has, in recent years, begun to increase in arguments, is the acceptability of homosexuality in society. Until recently, homosexuality was considered strictly taboo. If an individual was homosexual, it was considered a secret to be kept from all family, friends, and society. However, it seems that society has begun to accept this lifestyle by allowing same sex couples. The idea of coming out of the closet has moved to the head of homosexual individuals when it used to be the exception.
We may be personally responsible for our own misconceptions of gender and masculinity. Our actions about these topics speak louder than words. Sociologist, Ann Oakley argues that parents often mold their children around certain behaviors, with positive and negative consequences, to adhere to the standards that are socially acceptable. Oddly there is a strong back lash to this sort of treatment in females. In a study done conducted by Michael Messner, when asked who was a tomboy and who was a sissy as children, women raised their hands more often to identify with the tomboy image. The tomboy trait celebrates masculinity and restricts femininity. Often children explore many traits about themselves, as Allen explained to Pascoe, “When you’re younger…you’re a kid. You are wide open…You just do what you want” (Pascoe 118). Darnell, a football player, stated “Since you were little boys you’ve been told, ‘hey don’t be a little faggot’” (p 55). Darnell showcasing that males are conditioned very early like females about their roles of masculinity. These children are taught about how masculinity works. In the school Pascoe researched, a faculty member, Mr. Ford, reminded males students through his reply to a backhanded comment made to him from another student that men should engage in sexual actives with women, not men. Another...
middle of paper ... ... Works Cited Adam Sharpiro, Megan Schultz, Christina Roush, Cassandra Schofar, Emily Shilling, Tawnia Simpson, Natalie Sampiller. Portrayal of Homosexuality in Media. 26 March 2014 http://www.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom103fall2004/gp16.pdf>. Huegel, Kelly.