Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence in an Urban Context

Kilbourne argues and shows how the media and advertising influences our society today, especially the young generations. She brings up how it is having a huge effect on the younger girls today and is indirectly bringing their sexuality closer and making their childhood end earlier. Kilbourne is trying to help us open our eyes and see what is really in front of us. The society has become so use to the idea of “sex sells” and do not care about what is being posted on billboards and posters and don’t even care about commercials and shows on television.

I do agree with Kilbourne because I can honestly say that growing up I did not notice it much and I guess since I am the oldest, they tried to keep me away from anything provocative. I remember there was a time a certain song was popular and my mother wouldn’t let me listen to it because it was too sexual. But after listening to Kilbourne I see how things have changed so much. My parents have divorced since then but I see how my mother has acted with my sister. I used to have to cover my eyes if a movie was on TV with a sex scene or if a woman’s breasts were exposed but my sister who is 14 doesn’t. she gets to listen to whatever she wants, wear anything she wants and I have even heard my mother makes comments to my sister that she needs to stay fit and thin.

It is incredible how the understanding and concept of women has changed so much. Everything is put on their looks now and if you want to succeed in life beauty trumps intelligence, in some situations. Granted there are many intelligent women who hold positions of great power today but now girls that are growing up in this day and age have different priorities. Most girls now watch shows like 16 and Pregnant or Teen Mom on MTV and studies have shown that teen pregnancy has increased since these shows have aired.

I know Kilbourne put an emphasis on advertisements having mainly an affect on girls and women but I do disagree. Now more then ever men are wanting to keep up their physical appearances. Going to the gym, eating better, taking weight loss pills and some even using steroids because the bigger your muscles are the better. Also even with the tax on tanning, people still go tanning, both men and women. Thanks to the “guidos” and “guidettes” introduced to the nation by the reality show Jersey Shore, the tan “gorilla juice head” guy image is at an all time high, and the “tan guidette” girl persona is taking over.