Jax Xhabrahimi

10/12/22

Ms.Rodwell

ENGL 11000

Media vs. Relationships 

With the new generation being a part of the digital age, there is no denying that there is influence on the youth from all forms of media such as television, movies, magazines, video games, music, and social media. The transition of the adolescent years to adulthood is where identity begins to form, by exploring different possibilities before finding what best represents them. While media has a considerable influence on shaping this generation’s identity, so does the influence of the relationships with family and friends. 

Owing to the convenience of accessing media, it leads to the daily usage being 7.5 hours (Penn State’s PSYCH blog). During this time, it can negatively influence adolescence; encouraging poor health factors of slothful lifestyle, terrible eating habits/ nutrition, unrealistic body image, aggressive and sexual behaviors (Davidson) factors. Through the content that gets consumed, it holds the ability to alter how the younger audience perceives themselves from seeing unrealistic/ unattainable body image that is being presented to them. The new generation values highly what they see on any form of media on the account of this stage in their life being where identity development begins. Which then leads to the creation of false self-presentation to get positive impressions from others (Penn State’s PSYCH blog). Also, with media being a massive tool of communication that brings communities together. It gives a platform for people with destructive beliefs to come together. Ultimately resulting in the younger generation being influenced by the negative ideology that is being broadcast and causing an increase in aggressive behavior (Social Psychology in the News). As well as encouraging sexual behaviors, which then leads to the chance of unexpected pregnancy and sexually transmitted (Davidson). Also, advertisements being televised for fast foods, candy, soda, and other unhealthy food which then creates the viewers’ craving for those foods. Plus, the substantial amount of time spent on media creates a perfect combination of sitting all day, eating junk food in front of a screen for a lazy and unfulfilling lifestyle (Davidson).  

While the rising success that media has been having over adolescents, their leading competitor is the influence that family and friends have on your identity. A family’s impact comes from their care, responsiveness, and their disciplining of behavior; influencing adolescents ‘ feelings, thoughts, and actions. In result, becoming a factor in shaping their identity, because families are the ones responsible for the youth’s self-image (Ibáñez-Alfonso). Despite family’s influence having a positive imprint on identity. Yet a parent’s love of support, concern, and nurture could make them lose sight of the development of their children’s identity. That they will typically design a road for them; they figure it will be the best for them (Crocetti & Mueeus). Nevertheless, without parenting, adolescents in their jump into adulthood would not have developed a positive self-image, self-acceptance, flexibility, and then taking a sense of responsibility when older (Ibáñez-Alfonso).  

From the impact that adolescents’ identity receives from their family’s influence. That translates into youth’s preference for friends. While most people believe that friendship does not have a significant impact; in fact, it is the exact opposite (MacMillan). Friendships contribute similar impacts as what families provide in love, care, and support; and even exceeding them. The difference with the relationship with a friend compared to what a family member gives is that they are also involved in the same transition from adolescence to adulthood. Which gives the two a place of understanding of what they are both facing and gives each other the type of support that families could not necessarily give. 

Disregarding the negative outcomes from the influence media present, it also does provide the youth with a tool for identity exploration. With that ability 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 the uses for professions; expanding businesses, exchanging information on a particular field, and building networks (Akram & Kumar). 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. It also lets people have the chance to learn the latest information or opposing opinions that go against or reinforce their views and encourage positive change (Social Psychology in the News).  

In this day in age, the influences from both media and relationships have 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 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, relationships with family provides support, care, and teaching proper behavior; that results to positive self-image and self-acceptance, flexibility, and responsibility. 

Work Cited: 

Crocetti, Elisabetta, and Wim Meeus. “‘Family Comes First’ Relationships with Family and Friends in Italian Emerging Adults.” Clinicalkey, 2014, https://www-clinicalkey-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/#!/content/playContent/1-s2.0-S014019711400027X?returnurl=null&referrer=null.  

MacMillan, Amanda. “Friendship: Friends May Be More Important than Family.” Time, Time, 7 June 2017, https://time.com/4809325/friends-friendship-health-family/.  

“Psych 424 Blog.” Applied Social Psychology ASP RSS, https://sites.psu.edu/aspsy/2018/03/16/how-the-internet-effects-personal-identity/#:~:text=The%20content%20we%20expose%20ourselves,sexy%2C%20attractive%2C%20and%20appropriate.  

Davidson, Simon, et al. “Putting Media under the Microscope: Understanding and Challenging Media’s Influence on the Health and Well-Being of Children and Youth.” Shibboleth Authentication Request, 2003, https://academic-oup-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/pch/article/8/5/265/2648394.  

Ibáñez-Alfonso, Joaquín, et al. “The Influence of Family Context on Identity Processing: Journal of Pacific Rim Psychology.” Cambridge Core, Cambridge University Press, 26 Oct. 2015, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-pacific-rim-psychology/article/influence-of-family-context-on-identity-processing/D61FADD5A71475A4A3FC772454DD2ACA.  

Akram, W, and R Kumar. “A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society.” A Study on Positive and Negative Effects of Social Media on Society , 19 Oct. 2017, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323903323_A_Study_on_Positive_and_Negative_Effects_of_Social_Media_on_Society.  

Anderson, Craig A. “Screen Violences and Youth Behaviors.” Publications.aap.org, 2016, https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/140/Supplement_2/S142/34161/Screen-Violence-and-Youth-Behavior.  

“Social Media – a Positive or Negative Influence on Society?” Social Psychology in the News, 30 Jan. 2019, http://pc.rhul.ac.uk/sites/spin/previous-discussions/social-media-a-positive-or-negative-influence-on-society/.  

Wood , Lisa Fortlouis Wood Fortlouis. “This Paper Is Taken from – Cicea.” Children’s Identity & Citizenship in Europe , 2008, http://www.cicea.eu/docs/PROCEEDINGS/2008/2008_76_Fortlouis-Wood_The-Importance-of-Friendships-for-Social-Identity-Development.pdf.