Antisocial Behavior: Jersey Shore and Teen Mom

There are many shows that have no problem with portraying how they treat women or how they represent themselves on television. This is a huge problem for the younger generation of boys growing up and sometimes even men. Have you ever stopped and thought about how fifty years ago men treated women totally different then they do now? Although, there are those rare guys who do treat women with respect and are still gentlemen, it's not uncommon to simply see a guy drop a door on a girl. Years ago guys would never use degrading words around girls. However, times have changed and now some men do not think twice about how they speak and who is around them at the time. The same goes for women too. The way women portrayed themselves years ago is totally different then how women do now, ecspecially in the media.

The media has a lot to do with both of these habits that have evolved over the years whether we believe it or not. Naturally, our human brains learn from what they see and how much they view it. Therefore, if we are constantly watching and hearing vulgar language on television and how men are speaking to women it's only natural that a human picks up on it. Whether or not they decided it's okay to imitate the actions seen is a different story, but I think it is safe to say that there are many television shows and movies that display very inappropriate behavior by both men and women but because we see it so much it doesn't seem inappropriate anymore but just the norm.

Take for instance a show that has become very popular over the past few years, Jersey Shore. Jersey Shore became popular from eight young adults living in a beach house together and partying all night long every night of the week. I get the fact that Jersey Shore is shocking and entertaining but if any of you have watched it, the way all of them act is in no way a good influence on anyone. However, it's still watched by millions of viewers. Even if you are a huge fan of Jersey Shore I think everyone can agree that their behavior is not what you would call lady like or gentlemen like. The guys on the show compete over girls and see how many they can hook up with in one night, what kind of influence is this on teenage boys growing up? The girls on that show aren't any better with how they portray themselves. They dress trashy and use vulgar language like its the new fad. They also get into fights everynight and end up in jail, this is not a positive way for women and young girls to be acting at all. People will imitate violent behaviors they see on television, particularly if the violence is rewarded. In the show Jersey Shore they are rewarded, they get paid thousands of dollars an episode for doing mindboggling acts of violence. In todays society non of this action looks out of place or wierd because it is what we are all use to seeing on television. Instead "weird" is a girl or guy who doesn't hook up or kiss someone on their first date.

Here is a link that shows violence on Jersey Shore:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sn-DTxH24Y



Another great example of a television show that portrays antisocial behavior is Teen Mom. Teen Mom is a show that finds teenagers around the age of 16 that have had kids or are going through the birth process at the time of recording. They pay these girls and their so called "boyfriends" thousands of dollars to be on this show so the world can get a glimpse into their lives of having kids at a young age. These so called wonderful moms who are in high school and have never had a job to support their kids are now millionaires. Teen pregnancy is one of the most difficult experiences a young person might ever face when it interrupts school or other plans. This show portrays a positive image on how it is possible to have kids at such a young age. We do not need young kids having babies in today's world. If this isnt absurd then I dont know what is.

The media has changed so much over the years to what was not acceptable to be viewed on television now is. It is safe to say that a lot of what is seen on television produces antisocial behaviors on many people.

Sources:
Media Now: Understanding Media, Culture, and Technology. 6th edition By Straubharr, LaRose and Davenport

http://futureofchildren.org/publications/journals/article/index.xml?journalid=32&articleid=58&sectionid=270

http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/issues/violence/effects_media_violence.cfm