How Does Media Shape Individual Identity

The debated topic is, to what extent does the commercial structure of media in the USA shape individual identity, and how do you defend this answer from someone who would argue otherwise? This essay argues that the structure of media in the United States completely shapes an individual’s identity. Individuals live through social media by posting status’ and pictures creating an impression of one’s self. Even before the internet television advisements, movies, and celebrities formed an image of what men and women should look like and what they should wear. Children watch cartoon shows on the television and see advertisements attempting to sell toys, tablet applications, and video games. Personal identity is often described as something different

Postman states, many years ago Indians would send up clouds of smoke to send a message. Now centuries later we have numerous channels to communicate and which has provided a means for commercial media to manipulate one’s identity. Starting with the release of ads, magazines, television, and now the world wide web. Americans have slowly been conformed to consume everything they see to either fit in, or to be something they are not. In this generation individuals don’t have to talk face to face or even over the phone. The world can communicate over text, messaging and email. How are individuals able to get to know another person without even speaking? Their identities can be sealed or made up because there is no way for another person to see their real

They learn to become a follower based on their viewership of commercial media. Young adults view “perfect” families on television and through print media that impact their identities on how they believe they should look, act, and speak. Present and future generations are subject to an immense amount of exposure to social media that will shape who they are. From a young age to adulthood everyone’s identity is being shaped and that idea comes from commercial media in the United States. To argue otherwise, the extent of commercial structure of media in the USA shaping an individual’s identity. One can argue media outlets don’t have enough power to shape a person’s identity. According to Behavioral and Brain scientist, “The environment is independent of the organism…this view allows no role for DNA, because organism has nothing to do with the environment that impinges on it.” (Bergeman, C.S., Plomin. R.) For example, Nature vs. Nurture. This classic argument that debates whether human behavior is created by nature or by nurture. In this specific case nature would be commercial media. People may argue that we are simply born into our identity and we are the way we are from birth. The way we view commercial media in the United States is simply just our views we are born with nothing