Jax Xhrabrahimi

Ms. Rodwell

Engl 11000

10/12/22

Introduction:

Opening: With the new generation being the digital age, there’s no denying that there’s influence coming from all forms of media such as television, movies, magazines, video games, music, and social media.

At the transition of the adolescence years to becoming an adult is where their identity begins to form, by exploring different possibilities before finding what best represents them. 

Thesis: While media has a significant influence on the youth’s upbringing of shaping their identity, so does the influence of the relationships with family and friends.

Section (The bad with Media):

Topic sentence /evidence: Due to the convenience of accessing media, it leads the daily usage being 7.5 hours (Penn State’s PSYCH blog). Within that time span it can instill negative influence in adolescence; encouraging poor health factors of slothful lifestyle, terrible eating habits/ nutrition, unrealistic body image, and aggressive/sexual behaviors (Pediatric & Child health).

Evidence: Through the content that gets consumed, it holds the ability to alter how the younger audience perceives themselves from seeing unrealistic/ unattainable body image being presented. Which the new generation values highly on the account of this stage their life is where identity development begins; in that stage then leads to the creation of false self-presentation inorder to get positive impressions from others (Penn State’s PSYCH blog). 

Evidence: The advertisements of fast foods, candy, soda, and more that gets bought up creates the viewers’ craving for those foods. Plus the vast amount of time on media makes a perfect combination of sitting all day eating junk food in front of a screen for a lazy and unfulfilling lifestyle (Pediatric & Child health).

Evidence: Media also encourage sexual behaviors, which then leads to possible unexpected pregnancy and sexually transmitted (Pediatric & Child health).

Evidence: And media being a massive tool of communication that brings communities together, it gives a platform for people with destructive beliefs to come together. Which then results in the younger generation being influenced by this negative ideology and increasing aggressive behavior (SPIN).  

Section (Relationships):

Topic sentence: While the rising success that media has been having over this generation, their lead competitor is the influence that family and friends have on your identity.

Evidence: A family’s impact comes from their care, responsiveness, and their disciplining of behavior; influencing someone’s feelings, thoughts and actions. In result, help shaping adolescent’s identity, because they’re the one responsible for self-image (Cambridge University Press). 

Evidence: In spite of family’s influence do result in having a positive imprint on the youth’s identity. Yet a parent’s love of support, conren, and nurture could possibly blind them and make them lose sight of the development of their children’s identity. That they’ll design a road for them; they figure is the best for them (Journal of Adolescence). 

Evidence: Nevertheless, without parenting, adolescents in their jump into adulthood there wouldn’t be positive self-image and self-acceptance, flexibility, and them taking a sense of responsibility (Cambridge University Press). 

Section (The good with Media):

Topic sentence: Disregarding the negative outcomes from the influence media present, media does provide youth a tool for identity exploration. 

Evidence: With the ability that it could be used for personal uses like communicating with friends and families, to learn new knowledge, find or develop one’s interest, and a form of entertainment. Media also grants uses for professions; expanding businesses, exchanging information on a particular field, and building networks (JCSE). 

Evidence: With media being a tool that could be for multiple things such as personal or professional use. It also gives the new generation a platform for identity exploration opportunities to find a sense of their self- image. 

Evidence: It also lets people have the chance to learn new information/ opinions that go against or reinforce their views and encourage positive change (SPIN).   

Section (Relationship: Friends):

Topic sentence: From the impact that adolescence’s identity receives from their family’s influence. That translates into the youth finding their friends; while most people believe that friendship doesn’t have a significant impact. When it is the exact opposite. 

Evidence: Friends contribute similar impacts as what families provide in love, care, and support; and possibly exceeding them. The difference with a relationship with a friend compared to family is that friends are too involved in the same transition from adolescence to adulthood. Which gives the two of them a place of understanding of what they’re both facing and gives each other the type of support that families couldn’t necessarily give.

Evidence: Like family and media, friendships influence an individual’s personality, behavior, interest, and social identity; in discussion, humor/ entertainment (Children’s Identity & Citizenship in Europe).   

Conclusion:

In this day in age, the influences from both media and relationships has an impact on identities of adolescence in their transition to adulthood. With media being positive and negative; giving the means for communication, learning, and interacting with different interests. Which allows for people the chance to learn new information/ opinions that go against or reinforce their views and encourage positive change. But yet, that ability gives a stage for people with negative beliefs to share with everyone and be the cause of others believing in their harmful beliefs. Versus, relationship with family provides support, care, and teaching proper behavior; that results to positive self-image and self-acceptance, flexibility, and responsibility.