Identity separates us from the rest of the population; we become unique. We create and develop our own personality, our own interests, and our own hobbies; each element separates us from others. We build relationships and participate in a variety of groups. We are able to define ourselves as we become less abstract.
Scripted television shows, reality programming, movies, print magazines, social media etc. create part of our environment. The media, particularly entertainment and social media act as another element impacting how individuals identify themselves. We are able to engage in relationships on Facebook or Twitter. We are able to create para-social relationships with scripted characters and reality show characters.
My blog will describe the interplay between entertainment media and identity development. Specifically, how each gender copes with the messages displayed.
I find it very interesting that a person who is of Latin decent that has been in the U.S. since childhood can be influenced and retain his accent by watching a TV show such as I Love Lucy. If this is true, this shows the impact that media has on our identity. What if this person had watched a TV show with primarily English language and American lifestyle, would this person's accent have changed? This would state that if a person comes to the U.S. at a early age with a accent from their native country, would they over time lose this accent if they are not around people with the same accent? Now comes the media influence, if a person watching a TV show with similar or the same language or accent, will this person maintain a accent as a result? If your theory is true this would be true. I ask the question if the Latin person had not watched I Love Lucy, would his accent slowly have gone away or would he have found influences in different ways? What if the Latin person had watched a TV show that was primarily Asian with people speaking an Asian language, would he end up with a Asian accent? The theory about media and specifically reality TV influencing our identities is scary. This would lead me to believe that TV in general has a huge influence in who we are. I ask the question, what happened to our parents influence on who we are? what about churches influence or a schools influence on our identity? Just a thought.
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