Hi Everyone,
The media has a definate effect on our lives in general including, of course our relationships. It greatly influences how we view and define and it also indirectly affects how people behave in relationships. Usually, a very extreme view of relationships is presented in the media, like extreme love or hatred, the intermediate stable relationships that we see in our daily lives are rearly represented. This picture affects yputh because they dont know what to expect in a relationship, and they strive to find this true flaming love that they see on the screens, while it is greatly exaggerated.
Western media has also presented the world and especially the conservative societies of the Middle East with a new definition of relationships, that they are urging us to accept indirectly. Through the American soap operas, we see shows like Friends for instance, that basically announce it acceptable to have as many sexual relationships outside of marriage as you wish, and it is ok to live with your boyfriend...and so on. All these are new forms of relationships that entered the Arab world through the Western media. You might argue that these examples were portrayed in Arab media since we had media. Well...there is a clear difference in how they are shown, the Arab media criminalized "illegal" relationships while American media presents it as the norm.
The media also affects relationships of adults who are in serious relationships. For example divorce was not the easiest solution to any obstacle that faces couples in a marriage, but the media has promoted divorce as the easiest way out.
But, looking at te half full portion as they say, the media also has a good role in relationships. It shows real examples of love, and makes people believe there is love, its not always exaggerated. And it spread awareness about rights and responsibilities in a relationship, especially to women. As everything the media's impact on relationships has positive and negative attributes and we should be aware of what we are consuming and to what extent is it affecting us.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Effects of media on our relationships
As far as media is concerned we are influenced by every aspect of it and our relationships are as well. More or less we are using what we see in movies as a guide to our relationships since we are always looking for a reason to our questions. Though there is no right or wrong answer or better yet there is no right answer to any of our questions we tend to prefer the ones in movies or media in general over our own choices. The reason is probably because in movies a happy ending of the solution is created to the problem where as even the end of the movie, is still half way of the relationship. Although we know that what we see in the movie is not the real or final result but we still tend to accept it and follow it hoping that same thing would happen to us. We tend to rely on the written mediums like magazines and newspapers more than movies. Magazines and newspapers are more directed towards problems and solutions when dealing with them rather than movies. Where in movies you need to search for the problem and the answer in magazines the problem is usually a given question and the answer to it. Magazines for that matter are more influential than movies because they are usually written by a professional. TV shows or better yet live discussions shows like Opera or Dr. Phil are even more influential than magazines and newspapers because they give a live example so that you can relate yourself better to it and discuss it. Also, it is more influential because the guest in the show whom is going to discuss the problem is always an expert.
Though the media tries to find and give the best answers to our relationship problems and we always tend to follow them, we should always double think about them. One reason is that the results are not always like the examples in the media. And also, they are not always the best answer to our problems since there is not only one answer to the problems. Yet, it’s nice from time to time to have a sort of right answer to your problem. Effects of media on our relationships
Though the media tries to find and give the best answers to our relationship problems and we always tend to follow them, we should always double think about them. One reason is that the results are not always like the examples in the media. And also, they are not always the best answer to our problems since there is not only one answer to the problems. Yet, it’s nice from time to time to have a sort of right answer to your problem. Effects of media on our relationships
Role-play: Media and relationships
The media undoubtedly affects our behaviour, in majority of the aspects in life. From something as basic as forming gender roles, to something more complex like handling relationships, such as dating or courtship, media affects us regularly.
"Actions speak louder than words", we being social animals, conform to certain actions that the media portrays as correct ways of behaving in relationships. Whether or whether not, at that particular moment we feel what we are doing is right or wrong, we still end up doing it because our brain resorts to memories that we recall seeing on television as the right way to handling things. Mass media presents relationships in a totally different light from real life, or reality. Plus in the media there is variety. There are the negative and the postitive - the more fatasy, fairy-tale like relationships and then on the other hand, the very spiced up: extra-marital affairs, cheating on each other, having family problems, etc, type of relationships.
The definition of a relation or dating, should actually be felt by us, naturally and not be affected by the media. But fortunately or unfrotunately it does. The media defines certain social features. Realtions and Dating too, is a part of these social charecteristics, emotional chords that media touches, is just one of the reasons the media is so popular in the first place!
Relationships are portrayed in all channels of the media, in television in particular through, movies, video clips and soap operas:
Movies - romantic genre of movies revolves around nothing but this! They portray how a perfect relationship should be. What are the common things that a guy should do to keep the girl happy and how the girl should behave to keep the guy happy.
Video clips- usually the lyrics and videos coincide. The lyrics are of 'missing you', and the visual is of a guy or girl being lonely, walking alone, singing, missing their partner, crying for them.
Soap operas- these just cross all boundaries! Men and women, are getting married, divorced, married, again and again. There are no limits. People are cheating on each other, forgiving each other and getting back. Then one thing leads to another, so on and so forth. It's unbelieavable, and yet it affects the audiences to a great extent.
These things seen and heard by the media, begin to mould our thoughts and shape our views about certain things, mass media comes under the sendary sector of socialising a human being, and thus, it does.
I believe that the mass media plays a huge role and is a deciding factor, on what we should do to make our relationships better. We indirectly take advice from these mediums. Even if its not in out nature to be jealous, if we see out favorite actress in a movie, playing a role of a jealous girlfriend, sometime in our relationship with our partner, we would show jealousy and possessiveness.
This in turn, is just one example.
Media influences us throughout our lives. Be it books, television or even music. We begin to believe what they portray, it is after all - only human nature!!
"Actions speak louder than words", we being social animals, conform to certain actions that the media portrays as correct ways of behaving in relationships. Whether or whether not, at that particular moment we feel what we are doing is right or wrong, we still end up doing it because our brain resorts to memories that we recall seeing on television as the right way to handling things. Mass media presents relationships in a totally different light from real life, or reality. Plus in the media there is variety. There are the negative and the postitive - the more fatasy, fairy-tale like relationships and then on the other hand, the very spiced up: extra-marital affairs, cheating on each other, having family problems, etc, type of relationships.
The definition of a relation or dating, should actually be felt by us, naturally and not be affected by the media. But fortunately or unfrotunately it does. The media defines certain social features. Realtions and Dating too, is a part of these social charecteristics, emotional chords that media touches, is just one of the reasons the media is so popular in the first place!
Relationships are portrayed in all channels of the media, in television in particular through, movies, video clips and soap operas:
Movies - romantic genre of movies revolves around nothing but this! They portray how a perfect relationship should be. What are the common things that a guy should do to keep the girl happy and how the girl should behave to keep the guy happy.
Video clips- usually the lyrics and videos coincide. The lyrics are of 'missing you', and the visual is of a guy or girl being lonely, walking alone, singing, missing their partner, crying for them.
Soap operas- these just cross all boundaries! Men and women, are getting married, divorced, married, again and again. There are no limits. People are cheating on each other, forgiving each other and getting back. Then one thing leads to another, so on and so forth. It's unbelieavable, and yet it affects the audiences to a great extent.
These things seen and heard by the media, begin to mould our thoughts and shape our views about certain things, mass media comes under the sendary sector of socialising a human being, and thus, it does.
I believe that the mass media plays a huge role and is a deciding factor, on what we should do to make our relationships better. We indirectly take advice from these mediums. Even if its not in out nature to be jealous, if we see out favorite actress in a movie, playing a role of a jealous girlfriend, sometime in our relationship with our partner, we would show jealousy and possessiveness.
This in turn, is just one example.
Media influences us throughout our lives. Be it books, television or even music. We begin to believe what they portray, it is after all - only human nature!!
In the 70’s Arabic movies revolved around a simple love story. I’m going to talk about Arabic media and relationships because that’s what I’m concerned about. Egyptian movies -which were the media representation of that time- basically represented (pure love) very sincere, honest, and too good to be actually true! It was the kind of love that the two lovers where ready to sacrifice their own lives for the sake of it, the very popular Arabic phrase (ma2darsh a3eesh men 3eerek) meaning (I can’t LIVE without you). Love ‘back then’ was the logical introduction for marriage and the love stories (most of the times) ended up with a beautiful marriage ceremony. I think those ideas matched the norms and believes back then, I’m not saying its 100% right ,but it used to happen, and I’m suggesting that it should have been deeper and more realistic. However now a days relationships got so complicated as well s every thing else, I am confused in this case, I think it’s like the question of which one came first: the egg or the chicken? I don’t know which really comes first :the idea is society created and the media represents it a (case that exists), or the media people want to squeeze the idea in the audience heads so they represent it and try to convince people it could happen, well I think both ways work.
but recently what have made it even more complicated is that we started comparing western relationships to eastern ones ,as if they are the same ,and I think that we know ,but don’t want to admit that both are totally deferent and can’t be compared, because each have their own culture. Recently (Arabic movies) have turned to (American movies with Arabic actors), including all the ideas that we didn’t have but are expected to have because it’s 21st century or what so ever! I think the complication came from the random merge that happened to many cultures recently. All Relationships are an important thing to be discussed in media because almost all people share the need for emotional commitment and sharing, and I think any movie or program of media that emotionally evolves the audience gets to be effective. So, having a love story or a nice relationship in movies is not the problem, but how it’s being presented, how intense and repeated, is what makes it acceptable or not.
but recently what have made it even more complicated is that we started comparing western relationships to eastern ones ,as if they are the same ,and I think that we know ,but don’t want to admit that both are totally deferent and can’t be compared, because each have their own culture. Recently (Arabic movies) have turned to (American movies with Arabic actors), including all the ideas that we didn’t have but are expected to have because it’s 21st century or what so ever! I think the complication came from the random merge that happened to many cultures recently. All Relationships are an important thing to be discussed in media because almost all people share the need for emotional commitment and sharing, and I think any movie or program of media that emotionally evolves the audience gets to be effective. So, having a love story or a nice relationship in movies is not the problem, but how it’s being presented, how intense and repeated, is what makes it acceptable or not.
Media and Relationships
This is an issue where mass media could make us think from a rational perspective at things. There are attitudes and behaviors which are considered to be rude and impolite within a specific cultural group.
However, after getting introduced to the hyper fast communication technology around the world in the late 20th century, our perspectives are changing rapidly. What was defined as an inappropriate behavior is not bad for the people of our next generation.
It’s a fact that every generation of human beings have different believes than the previous one. This fact could be still used on our generation in comparison to the previous and the next generation with one difference. The difference between our generation and the previous one is very significant. The reason is that we are under constant influence of various believes from various social groups around the globe.
At this point, we become uncertain of some of our cultural behaviors. We look at others attitudes and compare them with ours. We ask ourselves: “Am I wrong or I’m doing it the right way and they are wrong?” This is the time when we prefer to look at the issue by consulting our brain. We just leave aside our and other’s cultural roles and try to find a RATIONAL SOLUTION.
However, after getting introduced to the hyper fast communication technology around the world in the late 20th century, our perspectives are changing rapidly. What was defined as an inappropriate behavior is not bad for the people of our next generation.
It’s a fact that every generation of human beings have different believes than the previous one. This fact could be still used on our generation in comparison to the previous and the next generation with one difference. The difference between our generation and the previous one is very significant. The reason is that we are under constant influence of various believes from various social groups around the globe.
At this point, we become uncertain of some of our cultural behaviors. We look at others attitudes and compare them with ours. We ask ourselves: “Am I wrong or I’m doing it the right way and they are wrong?” This is the time when we prefer to look at the issue by consulting our brain. We just leave aside our and other’s cultural roles and try to find a RATIONAL SOLUTION.
Our Identity
Our relationships with people had changed since Media emerged. Being an Emirate girl I have always asked my grandmother about their life before and how was the relationships with people in the absence of Media. She always says that people in their days glorify the family life and marriage. Every guy looks for the perfect women to marry her, not to play with her and be his girlfriend as it is named those days. Our traditions and Religion were very strong that no one can argue or try to change it. Even the relationships with our parents were based on respect and never talk with them in aloud voice. The family always comes first then the personal interests. I really loved what she said because we actually miss those things now. I believe that Media is the first reason that made our country opened to the other cultures. People beliefs had changed and their traditions and religion are being forgotten. Media especially the Western TV shows such as: Movies, commercials, and series, they all changed our relationships with people. New relations came to our world such as: boy or girlfriend, single mothers or fathers. I mean by single mothers or fathers who have children without marriage in other worlds having a baby by the help of a donor. Today the Arab world seems to be accepting that thing and I believe that this is why our problems became more specially with teenagers and adults. It is good to be opened to other countries and know more about them, but the bad thing is learning about other countries and forgetting where we belong and what is our traditions and beliefs.
Media and Relationships
The media has a major influential impact on the minds and beliefs of millions of people.
The media has a great amount of influence over human relationships. Whether it is presented by means of television shows, magazines, advertisements, news, or even radio, the result is still the same. These sources of information shape individuals and their thoughts about dating and love relationships.
Nowadays, media has shaped love relationships in different ways. In addition, new technologies such as: computers and internet have helped the media a lot in establishing connections people even if they are in different countries, regions or planets. Now, many couples socialize using chat rooms, they will have love relations over the internet which will either develop and become a serious relation where couples meet face to face, or they may remain effectively unknown to each other. Those relationships were not there before, couples used to communicate face to face or on the phone.
T.V and radio shows are almost about love and relationships. There are many shows which discuss this topic, give advices and arrange dates to single men and women. In addition, now almost all T.V channels have their own chat rooms and the tags appear at the bottom of the screen. And the purpose of this is not to join people, but to collect money from stupid people. The story of media and relationships doesn’t end here; media started taking advantage of desperate single women by using them for T.V competitions where the winner will get a husband with an incredible weeding.
Video clips and movies should always have a space for a love story. Whatever is the story of the movie, a love story will always pop up. But the problem is that clips and movies mostly show an ideal relationship with a true love story that will have a happy ending. They rarely show a real love story which is full of suffering and heart breaking. Also, media relationships focus the attention on the sex appeal of the relation instead of pointing out the real love signs like scarifying.
I think that media has almost distorted the shape of real love and this has a negative influence on peoples’ behaviors and attitudes. Because of media and its ideal love stories, many people now don’t believe in true real love because they can’t find the perfect partner as in movies. Personally, I don’t know if real love still exists like before but I wish that some day god will provide me with a good man. I know that each and every one of us dreams about having the ideal partner, but honestly I don’t believe in perfect relationships because at the end of the day no one is perfect.
The media has a great amount of influence over human relationships. Whether it is presented by means of television shows, magazines, advertisements, news, or even radio, the result is still the same. These sources of information shape individuals and their thoughts about dating and love relationships.
Nowadays, media has shaped love relationships in different ways. In addition, new technologies such as: computers and internet have helped the media a lot in establishing connections people even if they are in different countries, regions or planets. Now, many couples socialize using chat rooms, they will have love relations over the internet which will either develop and become a serious relation where couples meet face to face, or they may remain effectively unknown to each other. Those relationships were not there before, couples used to communicate face to face or on the phone.
T.V and radio shows are almost about love and relationships. There are many shows which discuss this topic, give advices and arrange dates to single men and women. In addition, now almost all T.V channels have their own chat rooms and the tags appear at the bottom of the screen. And the purpose of this is not to join people, but to collect money from stupid people. The story of media and relationships doesn’t end here; media started taking advantage of desperate single women by using them for T.V competitions where the winner will get a husband with an incredible weeding.
Video clips and movies should always have a space for a love story. Whatever is the story of the movie, a love story will always pop up. But the problem is that clips and movies mostly show an ideal relationship with a true love story that will have a happy ending. They rarely show a real love story which is full of suffering and heart breaking. Also, media relationships focus the attention on the sex appeal of the relation instead of pointing out the real love signs like scarifying.
I think that media has almost distorted the shape of real love and this has a negative influence on peoples’ behaviors and attitudes. Because of media and its ideal love stories, many people now don’t believe in true real love because they can’t find the perfect partner as in movies. Personally, I don’t know if real love still exists like before but I wish that some day god will provide me with a good man. I know that each and every one of us dreams about having the ideal partner, but honestly I don’t believe in perfect relationships because at the end of the day no one is perfect.
Relationships and the mass media
Nowadays, we can’t really deny that fact that media whichever forms it takes have a great influence in reshaping the structure of our behaviors, attitudes and norms therefore affecting the way we precise the different kinds of relations that we go through in our life.
When we look at media be it T.V shows, video clips, films and others and compare how relationship used to be perceived in the past 20 years till the present day, we can notice a correlation between both. Every movie that we watched on T.V whether it was scary or funny contains a love story between a guy and a girl. Every T.V show is based on a relationship between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend and even guys and girls together.
As for the mass media audience, rarely you can find someone who didn’t get exposed to a relation whether it was a fling or a long-lasting relation. For me, I totally agree with the fact that everyone should go through the phase of having a relationship with someone else. But what is really happening is that every one following his/her role model and instead of having an honest relationship, we tend to follow what is fashion and trendy. For example, in T.V shows such as 8 simple rules or the war at home, there are certain criteria that “popular teenage girl” has to follow in order to date someone: he have to be the most handsome guy in the school, he have to be a senior or even older and finally the relation shouldn’t last for a long time.
What I am trying to say is that the mass media nowadays portrays relations in a ways that it is based on the fling or sexual appeal as apposed the true meaning of love and because of the many situations that media exposes us to; we started accepting these facts and made part of the reality. For it seems to me, relations are now based on a friendship that might lead to sexual relation same as what is happening in the T.V show “friends” which become the most popular show over the decade.
In terms of relations in our society, the mass media had a great effect on the way we perceive the meaning of relation. I have to agree that at certain point, the media helped us open our mind to experience relations that are not only based on marriage and I think that it is powerful point which clarified the massive impact of media on people’s behavior or traditional regardless of their culture or even religious.
I don’t agree with the fact that it is hard for us as friends to consult each about our own relations, it might be embarrassing but it shouldn’t be an excuse for us to crawl to the T.V as solution.
Having a relation with someone is a great phase that we go through and it helps us determine the path of our life and in which directions we tend to follow. But any relation shouldn’t be determined by what see on T.V as it can change our perceptions and therefore make us live in a world of fantasies that doesn’t exist and numb towards reality.
When we look at media be it T.V shows, video clips, films and others and compare how relationship used to be perceived in the past 20 years till the present day, we can notice a correlation between both. Every movie that we watched on T.V whether it was scary or funny contains a love story between a guy and a girl. Every T.V show is based on a relationship between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend and even guys and girls together.
As for the mass media audience, rarely you can find someone who didn’t get exposed to a relation whether it was a fling or a long-lasting relation. For me, I totally agree with the fact that everyone should go through the phase of having a relationship with someone else. But what is really happening is that every one following his/her role model and instead of having an honest relationship, we tend to follow what is fashion and trendy. For example, in T.V shows such as 8 simple rules or the war at home, there are certain criteria that “popular teenage girl” has to follow in order to date someone: he have to be the most handsome guy in the school, he have to be a senior or even older and finally the relation shouldn’t last for a long time.
What I am trying to say is that the mass media nowadays portrays relations in a ways that it is based on the fling or sexual appeal as apposed the true meaning of love and because of the many situations that media exposes us to; we started accepting these facts and made part of the reality. For it seems to me, relations are now based on a friendship that might lead to sexual relation same as what is happening in the T.V show “friends” which become the most popular show over the decade.
In terms of relations in our society, the mass media had a great effect on the way we perceive the meaning of relation. I have to agree that at certain point, the media helped us open our mind to experience relations that are not only based on marriage and I think that it is powerful point which clarified the massive impact of media on people’s behavior or traditional regardless of their culture or even religious.
I don’t agree with the fact that it is hard for us as friends to consult each about our own relations, it might be embarrassing but it shouldn’t be an excuse for us to crawl to the T.V as solution.
Having a relation with someone is a great phase that we go through and it helps us determine the path of our life and in which directions we tend to follow. But any relation shouldn’t be determined by what see on T.V as it can change our perceptions and therefore make us live in a world of fantasies that doesn’t exist and numb towards reality.
Media and Releationships
I think since we all have different cultures, different religions and standards, then the media effect on us and on our relationships is different. But if we specify its effect on the culture of the U.A.E and on us since we live here it might be almost the same. But for us there is no such a thing called relationship. Relationships WERE something not acceptable before marriage. People who are not engaged in any kind were not supposed even to talk to each other. But now since every body is trying to be modern, democratic and open it became something normal and acceptable to most of the people. Long time ago the separation between man and women was something necessary, but now we hardly see any place as workplace, street, job...etc that specialize only one gender. Now women and men are sharing almost everything and many things have changed. The relationships between men and women are shown and talked about all the time on TV, radio, newspapers and a lot more. Even in schools students are told about the types of relations. Of course the media have a very big effect on how people think and how they act. The media absolutely affects the behavior of people, when people see what artist or actresses do, they always try to do what they do. This happens because in the media these relationships always have a happy ending, and this is what all people are trying to accomplish “happiness”. In fact, people who have problems in their relations will feel very shy to come and talk to some one close or they trust. So what they do is take the video clips and movies as a complement of people they know. But in reality relation ships are different, not every relation have a happy ending as the media show. There are some programs with specialist in the field of relationships are asked question and mostly all the times they provide solutions to the problems. These types of shows are accepted because they are based on knowledge and science. We all follow the media but we shouldn’t, because media shows us what it wants, and not the truth. So by following the media we will be following a dream. Relation ships that are based on us are much better than the ones based on a movie or a video clip, and this is like the judgments. When you do your own its better for your own.
The Media in Regards to Relationships
In our daily lives, the media (or popular culture) decides "the norm". Most general things represented by the media (on television, for example) is what people will perceive as being "typical" and "acceptable". Even though I come from a relatively conservative society (both cultural and religion wise), the way people perceive the media is no different. Just a couple of decades or so ago, relationships and dating prior to marriage were considered taboo here. Nowadays, with our generation, it has become a common phenomenon. It's almost the opposite; you rarely find people who don't date. I think this is a good example of how the media affects people's values, principles, and choices. It affects what we as a community perceive as being something common, or something being unorthodox. When you have a whole generation watching films and tv shows which always include some kind of love or sexual relationship regardless of the plot or the genre, you can't expect them not to accept it and pursue it as a natural sort of thing.
As for relationships specifically, they are portrayed in many different ways in film and on tv. They range from the strong long term ones, to the on and off rocky ones, to the flings, and to the nasty break ups. This variety only ensures that everyone can relate to these relationships somehow. As for whether the media plays as a "consultant" for people when it comes to relationships, I don't think it goes that far. At the end of the day, no one is going to rely on Ross and Rachel (for example) as role models for the choices they make in their own relationships.
Although some of us still maintain a conservative way of life, there is no doubt that the majority are affected by what they watch and view from the outside world (and i'm speaking specifically about the UAE society here), and this just comes to prove how powerful the media really is. It's amazing how vast the difference is when we compare our generation to those of our parents. I'm not saying the media is the only thing that contributed to the changes between us and them (there is also education, globalization, technology, etc) , but it is an important factor to acknowledge when we speak of these changes.
As for relationships specifically, they are portrayed in many different ways in film and on tv. They range from the strong long term ones, to the on and off rocky ones, to the flings, and to the nasty break ups. This variety only ensures that everyone can relate to these relationships somehow. As for whether the media plays as a "consultant" for people when it comes to relationships, I don't think it goes that far. At the end of the day, no one is going to rely on Ross and Rachel (for example) as role models for the choices they make in their own relationships.
Although some of us still maintain a conservative way of life, there is no doubt that the majority are affected by what they watch and view from the outside world (and i'm speaking specifically about the UAE society here), and this just comes to prove how powerful the media really is. It's amazing how vast the difference is when we compare our generation to those of our parents. I'm not saying the media is the only thing that contributed to the changes between us and them (there is also education, globalization, technology, etc) , but it is an important factor to acknowledge when we speak of these changes.
Friday, March 30, 2007
Relationship Perceptions and the Mass Media
The mass media represents us with so many different kinds of relationships with disregard to its audience, their culture, background and traditions.
When we look back at media in its starting point, we notice more of a focused perspective directed toward a specific group of people and a specific society. People rebelled against those restrictions and demanded freedom to observe, examine and become exposed to all aspects of the world, the good and the bad. This want did not just come without any responsibility, for it seems to me this desire came with a bigger responsibility and need for awareness with the fictional aspect to what we see through these mass media tools.
Television for example represents us with so many kinds of relationships and we perceive them as facts because they actually occur in a specific place and at a certain time. The danger here lies in the way that people mixed and got confused between facts and reality. If I were to examine my own culture I will say that almost all of those relationship examples that are represented to us whether they could in fact really happen or not are absolutely inappropriate. Friends for example, which is one of the most popular, TV shows create some sort of acceptance among the younger generation for friends (boys and girls) to not only live together but to also have sexual relations with each other as long as it’s based on love and respect. Our young generation might create a perception toward the true meaning of friendships that could be accepted in some other society but not in ours. In fact friends is one of the TV shows that makes people especially the younger generation dream of having such relationships or even strive to create once that are similar to that.
I don’t really believe it’s hard for many of us to talk to our best friends about relationships and I surly don’t agree that it is one of the reasons why we go to television for the answers. I accept as true that when we know that our best friend is going to, may be, tell us something that we don’t want to hear so that’s why we go to television since there are so many points of views and we use what we want as an excuse to our behaviors.
For it seems to me, there is now more awareness about this problem. However, the main difficulty lies within those who are aware of the danger and yet they let television lead their actions and they live in a world of fantasy and dreams and they can never open their eyes to the realty that is around them because it’s not as pretty as we see it.
When we look back at media in its starting point, we notice more of a focused perspective directed toward a specific group of people and a specific society. People rebelled against those restrictions and demanded freedom to observe, examine and become exposed to all aspects of the world, the good and the bad. This want did not just come without any responsibility, for it seems to me this desire came with a bigger responsibility and need for awareness with the fictional aspect to what we see through these mass media tools.
Television for example represents us with so many kinds of relationships and we perceive them as facts because they actually occur in a specific place and at a certain time. The danger here lies in the way that people mixed and got confused between facts and reality. If I were to examine my own culture I will say that almost all of those relationship examples that are represented to us whether they could in fact really happen or not are absolutely inappropriate. Friends for example, which is one of the most popular, TV shows create some sort of acceptance among the younger generation for friends (boys and girls) to not only live together but to also have sexual relations with each other as long as it’s based on love and respect. Our young generation might create a perception toward the true meaning of friendships that could be accepted in some other society but not in ours. In fact friends is one of the TV shows that makes people especially the younger generation dream of having such relationships or even strive to create once that are similar to that.
I don’t really believe it’s hard for many of us to talk to our best friends about relationships and I surly don’t agree that it is one of the reasons why we go to television for the answers. I accept as true that when we know that our best friend is going to, may be, tell us something that we don’t want to hear so that’s why we go to television since there are so many points of views and we use what we want as an excuse to our behaviors.
For it seems to me, there is now more awareness about this problem. However, the main difficulty lies within those who are aware of the danger and yet they let television lead their actions and they live in a world of fantasy and dreams and they can never open their eyes to the realty that is around them because it’s not as pretty as we see it.
I think that the media does affect the way in which people see and go about their own relationships these days. This is only natural, with the rise of so many love-based soap operas being produced all around the world. These shows primarily deal with relationship problems of some kind – be it just ordinary friendship, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship troubles among teenagers, marriage problems, an over-working partner, the cheating husband… you name it, you got it.
A lot of people get drawn to these shows (and sometimes even addicted in a way… it’s like you can’t miss any single episode or it will drive you crazy) because the so called “adventures” and daily-life perturbations of these characters seem so much more exciting. They are often a relief from the monotony of a “normal” person’s life… as usually people tend to follow some kind of a routine (be it with their school, college or work).
However, the actions of soap opera characters are often unpredictable, making them so much more exciting; and despite that they are also often realistic-enough to keep the people’s attention and interest.
Many individuals rely on their favorite character’s actions and opinions, and apply them to real-life scenarios too (forgetting that their “hero” is just a made-up character of a tv show). It’s like, if you have a problem with your boyfriend do what –insert character here- said.
People learn how to solve and face their relationships problems through these shows (not always with a positive effect).
The same thing applies not just to tv but also magazines. People read these magazines in order to get various relationship aids. This is because in today’s world most people want to take a break from the monotony of their own lives – reading a “light” magazine or watching their favorite tv program is often a lot less straining than actually reading a book (which would usually have been written by some boring expert).
The problem with this is, that these shows often give a fake view on reality. They show that “true love” always wins, where in fact, that’s often unfortunately not the case.
A lot of people get drawn to these shows (and sometimes even addicted in a way… it’s like you can’t miss any single episode or it will drive you crazy) because the so called “adventures” and daily-life perturbations of these characters seem so much more exciting. They are often a relief from the monotony of a “normal” person’s life… as usually people tend to follow some kind of a routine (be it with their school, college or work).
However, the actions of soap opera characters are often unpredictable, making them so much more exciting; and despite that they are also often realistic-enough to keep the people’s attention and interest.
Many individuals rely on their favorite character’s actions and opinions, and apply them to real-life scenarios too (forgetting that their “hero” is just a made-up character of a tv show). It’s like, if you have a problem with your boyfriend do what –insert character here- said.
People learn how to solve and face their relationships problems through these shows (not always with a positive effect).
The same thing applies not just to tv but also magazines. People read these magazines in order to get various relationship aids. This is because in today’s world most people want to take a break from the monotony of their own lives – reading a “light” magazine or watching their favorite tv program is often a lot less straining than actually reading a book (which would usually have been written by some boring expert).
The problem with this is, that these shows often give a fake view on reality. They show that “true love” always wins, where in fact, that’s often unfortunately not the case.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Relationship in the eyes of the Media
Relationships, no matter what type or how serious they are, have there ups and downs as we all know or will get to know, yet the majority of music videos, movies, video clips and soap operas out there show one of those two sides, either the positive or the negative. For example, many music videos show how the singer is deeply in love with their partner, most of the time showing it in the sexual aspect of the relationship.
On the other hand, they have music videos showing how they have gotten hurt by their partner or miss them or something around that idea! This is the same for many romantic movies or soap operas. Either the couple is in a divorce or deep sexual relationship.
There is rarely a music video or movie that is based on true love showing its ups and downs and what a “perfect” relationship is like (not could be like), and when there is, it is very unrealistic to us after seeing from our own experience or what we view on the screen. For example, how many of you girls wished there was a guy like the guys in The Notebook, or in A Walk to Remember (both romantic movies that are not based on only the negative or sexual aspects of the relationship, yet on both the negative and positive aspects). It is possible, but unlikely to have such a deep-rooted relationship as the stories in these movies perceive to the audience.
Nowadays more soap operas based on relationships (husband and wife, boy friend and girlfriend) are increasing in number. The OC, an American Soap Opera, I feel is solidly focused on many relationships; marriages, divorces, long distance, break ups, young people with old people etc. These are all the types we, as the audience, know someone could have, but that doesn’t mean they way they are shown on the screen is how they end up in real life!
Many of us can relate to those stories to some degree and are equally affected as the actor or actress in their position at the time. If one is confused over an issue in their “love life” or relationship, it is easier to relate to the actors or singers. People get so into the soap opera or movie that they tend to not distinguish what is false and reality.
On the other hand, they have music videos showing how they have gotten hurt by their partner or miss them or something around that idea! This is the same for many romantic movies or soap operas. Either the couple is in a divorce or deep sexual relationship.
There is rarely a music video or movie that is based on true love showing its ups and downs and what a “perfect” relationship is like (not could be like), and when there is, it is very unrealistic to us after seeing from our own experience or what we view on the screen. For example, how many of you girls wished there was a guy like the guys in The Notebook, or in A Walk to Remember (both romantic movies that are not based on only the negative or sexual aspects of the relationship, yet on both the negative and positive aspects). It is possible, but unlikely to have such a deep-rooted relationship as the stories in these movies perceive to the audience.
Nowadays more soap operas based on relationships (husband and wife, boy friend and girlfriend) are increasing in number. The OC, an American Soap Opera, I feel is solidly focused on many relationships; marriages, divorces, long distance, break ups, young people with old people etc. These are all the types we, as the audience, know someone could have, but that doesn’t mean they way they are shown on the screen is how they end up in real life!
Many of us can relate to those stories to some degree and are equally affected as the actor or actress in their position at the time. If one is confused over an issue in their “love life” or relationship, it is easier to relate to the actors or singers. People get so into the soap opera or movie that they tend to not distinguish what is false and reality.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Media and Changing perceptions
I believe media affects us in our daily lives even I, whatever I see or hear from media affects me and changes my opinions and beliefs especially with the bad situation that is going on in our Arab world. Since the Iraq war; I began to not believe anything that is talked in Media. The reason is that throughout the Iraq war I used to believe that the Americans will not win the war because of the strong Iraqi Army. I use to also believe what Alsahaf use to say about the American Army and laugh. Moreover, Saddam Hussein was my hero I really cried when I saw the prostitution. The cause is that the Arabic Media made him hero although his bad history of killing and torturing innocent people. He was my hero because he staid constant during the war and he never give up defending his country. In addition, the situation in Iraq became worse when the American entered. I know many Iraqis who said that they prefer living in Saddam’s days than now. I believe that without media my perception of Saddam will change and he will not be my hero.
Media and Releationships
don't we all enjoy role-play. sometimes knowing where our behaviour comes from and at other times we can't even recall. we are looking this week at the mass media and their presentations of relationships, what is called a relation or a dating. How are they portrayed in movies, video clips and soap operas. And to what extent they are affecting our attitudes and behaviours. Since it is hard for many of us to talk even to best friends, about their relationships, it is the media which is one our main consultants on what to do? how to interact at the very beginning of a relation? when to feel jealousy? should we show it or not? where do we stop? etc.
I believe that lying in media has some advantages and disadvantages. Hala Sarhan has the right to bring fake models in order to introduce the problem. The reason is that in our Arab world our tradition and culture prevents us from appearing and speaking out in public about our problems frankly. Moreover, the Arab women problems even if it was simple it is always connected with shame and scandal. In short, Arabs fear from criticism and peoples talk. I think that Hala Sarhan had contributed in solving a very dangerous society problem Although she introduced fake characters.On the other hand, lying in Media for increasing the profit and the income for a certain company is also very dangerous because it is deceives people. For example, fast food ads always picture its food in an positive way. They say It is healthy, delicious and cheap, but on the other hand it is harmful and toxic. This kind of ads had really motivated other cheap companies to promote their goods even if it is unhealthy, it is just for the reason of gaiing more money.
The extremes that people go to be 'beautiful'
Unfortunately, today we live in a society where beauty is everything. People seem to be judging men and women from their looks more than focusing on personality! Although most people claim that looks don't matter, deep down looks are important to most people. I don't want to generalise but a large number of society are shallow. For examle, a beautiful girl will always get more attention from the people around her than a less attractive girl, eventhough she might be a lot nicer and more enjoyable to be around, people do not notice it as much. I don't believe in the word 'ugly', althought someone might not be that attractive there is always something beautiful about them! I don't think there is anything wrong in making yourself look your best but theres no point in getting any sort of surgery to acheive that. Just getting a new hair cut or a manicure once in a while is enough to make you feel good about yourself!
But why do men and women push themselves to go under the knife? I strongly believe that it is a result of media and how they idirectly make people think that looks are everything! 'Beautiful' people are all over television and magazines and so on which makes normal people feel insecure, because they do not realise that these people have been perfected by computers and so on..However, we should be amarter and be comfortable in our own skin and avoid any influence from the media. I have noticed an increase in anarexia, balemia and surgery since media has increased. I am not completely blaiming the media because even without the media there would still be people that are insecure but not as many.
I was happy to see adverts like the Dove campaign use normal, everyday women in their ADs as they will definately make normal women feel more attractive and that they do not have to look like super skiny models to be beautiful.
In conclusion, I agree that you do not have to be physicaly perfect to be beautiful, and it is just a part of life that some people are more attractive than others but we should make the most of what we've got.
But why do men and women push themselves to go under the knife? I strongly believe that it is a result of media and how they idirectly make people think that looks are everything! 'Beautiful' people are all over television and magazines and so on which makes normal people feel insecure, because they do not realise that these people have been perfected by computers and so on..However, we should be amarter and be comfortable in our own skin and avoid any influence from the media. I have noticed an increase in anarexia, balemia and surgery since media has increased. I am not completely blaiming the media because even without the media there would still be people that are insecure but not as many.
I was happy to see adverts like the Dove campaign use normal, everyday women in their ADs as they will definately make normal women feel more attractive and that they do not have to look like super skiny models to be beautiful.
In conclusion, I agree that you do not have to be physicaly perfect to be beautiful, and it is just a part of life that some people are more attractive than others but we should make the most of what we've got.
Monday, March 26, 2007
The media has created this perfect image of what a woman should look like today. They have made it seem like it is easily attainable and that it doesn't require a lot of effort. However, they seem to have contradicted themselves when launching reality TV shows such as The Swan, Extreme Makeover, Dr 90210 and the popular series Nip/Tuck, where the main purpose behind these aforementioned shows is to give women a chance to start over and turn over a new page.
What has interested me the most is that this pursuit of perfection, or more like the Media's idea of perfection, is not a very recent issue. In fact, it has been around since the 1940's, around WWII to be precise, when images of Betty Garble were printed on posters and pinned up for the American troops in order to give them something to look forward to when the war is over and it's time to go back home.
The media's effects on adolescents are sometimes classified as terminal. They lead to insecurity and self-consciousness among teenagers; they just want to look as beautiful as their role models are. The pressue on teenagers has increased abruptly, in their heads, there are very high expectations that they have to meet. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is a saying that has long gone, 'beauty' is now considered a result from going under the knife.
In the movie 'Head over Heels' (2001) starring Freddie Prinze Jr and Monica Potter. For those who are unfamiliar with the movie, heres a brief recap: an artist, Amanda (Potter), moves into a 5 bedroom apartment with 4 supermodels. The images portrayed by these supermodels is that they are perfect. Tall, lean and slender, whereas Amanda is just your regular girl next door.
In one of the scenes, one of the supermodels, Holly, has to stay at home with Amanwda because she had just gotten a facelift. While chit-chatting, Holly reveals her plans as to what 'fix' next in her face once she gets a nose job and makes her face 'more symmetrical'. Amanda then tries to explain to her that sometimes the beauty is in the flaws themselves, but this comment was completely lost on Holly as to which she replied that 'Amanda is so cute to say that'.
What has interested me the most is that this pursuit of perfection, or more like the Media's idea of perfection, is not a very recent issue. In fact, it has been around since the 1940's, around WWII to be precise, when images of Betty Garble were printed on posters and pinned up for the American troops in order to give them something to look forward to when the war is over and it's time to go back home.
The media's effects on adolescents are sometimes classified as terminal. They lead to insecurity and self-consciousness among teenagers; they just want to look as beautiful as their role models are. The pressue on teenagers has increased abruptly, in their heads, there are very high expectations that they have to meet. "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" is a saying that has long gone, 'beauty' is now considered a result from going under the knife.
In the movie 'Head over Heels' (2001) starring Freddie Prinze Jr and Monica Potter. For those who are unfamiliar with the movie, heres a brief recap: an artist, Amanda (Potter), moves into a 5 bedroom apartment with 4 supermodels. The images portrayed by these supermodels is that they are perfect. Tall, lean and slender, whereas Amanda is just your regular girl next door.
In one of the scenes, one of the supermodels, Holly, has to stay at home with Amanwda because she had just gotten a facelift. While chit-chatting, Holly reveals her plans as to what 'fix' next in her face once she gets a nose job and makes her face 'more symmetrical'. Amanda then tries to explain to her that sometimes the beauty is in the flaws themselves, but this comment was completely lost on Holly as to which she replied that 'Amanda is so cute to say that'.
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