Invariably, this issue keeps bumping its head on the larger question of what men desire? It is very apparent after researching the matter that the ideal image of women as defined by society is still very much of a male dominated system despite the phenomenal progress realized as a result of the feminist movement. It is precisely the male dominated structure s ability to incorporate non-mainstream trends into it essential being that has allowed it to thrive despite the numerous oppositional movements it has faced (Durham).
Ultimately society has to ask itself what is more important. Is the pursuit of fame, which is inherently linked to wealth worth all of the negative ramifications that have been established by numerous studies? Society must ask it self whether the media are challenging societal norms in a manner that fosters social justice or simply to establish new societal norms that they are better able to control and thus profit from. Should we, as members of society, simply throw our hands up in the air and accept these current developments as the results of the natural evolution of culture? Or, are we obligated to look deeper into these issues and question whether the rate of its evolution is actually the result mankind s influence and domination on culture.
Throughout this semester, in analyzing ethical dilemmas, the one constant factor was that of the participant s ability to determine which cause of action to follow based on their understanding of their social responsibility in regards to their professional responsibility. If as argued, juveniles are a fragile segment of our society, should we not strive to monitor what they are exposed to, and as parents should we not eliminate the existence of their worth as economical factors in our society (Day). In doing so, perhaps we can start to curb the ferocious rate at which they are targeted by billion dollar corporation who seem to solely focus on their profit margin and disregard whatever effects their actions have on society. In many societies, adolescents are not able to gain economical independence until they are well into their late teens, thus affording the parents more ability to monitor what their off springs choose to adopt as a part of their lifestyles. Ironically, it is this very pursuit for wealth that has made it possible for children to become targets. As parents vacate the domicile in pursuit of the American dream, they are obligated to relinquish their children to society moral compass which is more and more in the hands of the media. And so as they lament these effects on their children, parents should also realize how their own behavior often reflects their adherence to the very system they often chastise for having negative influences on society s younger participants. Also, within these choices arises the question of freedom, and how much of it should minors be allowed to have? Unfortunately, there are no clear cut answers to these issues, turning to precedents often bring back nightmarish images of how excessive restraint on one particular segment of a society ultimately affects the freedom of all of its members. So ultimately, the decision has to be surrendered to the individuals in society. Every person should take the time to assess how elements of society might impact their families and their lives and then decide how to conduct themselves within this society so as to reinforce what they believe should be the priorities of this society. It is in this self-inspection that I believe society can begin to address the issues that result from the media s influence on the mental development of adolescents and the moral compass that they choose for themselves.
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