Pop Culture Effects on Teens PDF

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The effects of different aspects of pop culture and the influence in young teens in the 90s. Incorporates 6 sources....

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How Pop Culture Brought About Change The fact that there were a myriad of aspects that influenced each generation, specifically during the 90’s, Pop Culture acted as a catalyst when it came to shaping America’s youth. America’s youth was shaped through many diverse factors. Moreover, bands such as Nirvana, assisted in representing the sorrow their audience and themselves also faced. Through their meaningful lyrics, they galvanized their fans so that they would never give up on their aspirations; adding to that, this era was known as the Decade of Drugs, where teens were heavily influenced by their peers and the media; likewise the society in this generation kindled a sense of rebellion amongst the teens in order for them to take their stance and stand for what they believe in, which resulted in the opposition towards the status quo. . Although the youth culture thought of themselves as strong-willed and hard to change, they actually had very susceptible minds and were easily influenced by their surroundings; however, teens did gain a sense of inspiration from their idols through their music. After bands like Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Candlebox (post-grunge), introduced alternative rock, many teens were inspired and were able to establish a connection with the band on an emotional level when it came to grief and loneliness. The group opened up to their audience and allowed them to walk into their past life full of sorrow and grief, which allowed the audience to put their own problems in comparison to another’s. Focusing on Nirvana, many of their fans were able to connect to their music and be able to relate to it, as their lyrics spoke to the audience and almost felt like they were directly speaking to them. Following up to the success of Nirvana, came the death of Kurt

Cobain in early April of 1994, which left his fans practically flabbergasted. According to his followers, Cobain was known as an influential man, “They did not play according to the rules and they came at a time when the rules were strangling the music. They just blew the 80's nonsense apart... He had so much to give, he had so much left to write. He was the closest that his generation came to a John Lennon. In that he was writing very much from the heart and he didn't play according to the rules…I say look at their life stories, listen to the music. If you don't see the connection, you're just not paying attention,” as stated by the radio host, Norman B. Cobain was remembered to be a man who gave voice to the hate, anger, and fear that his audience also faced in life which had never successfully been done before. Unlike many other artists, bands, Cobain knew exactly how to grasp the attention of his audience and hold a strong connection between them, it was almost as if their hearts and brains were tied together. Cobain had a way of retaining the bond through his gentle yet harsh lyrics just like Lennon. As Norman B stated, both Lennon and Cobain wrote straight from their hearts, as if they smothered their hearts onto a piece of paper and were able to project these words to their audience through entertainment. Many of Cobain’s admirers reached a consensus when it came to the crucial part Cobain had played in society. As some may say, "Once Kurt Cobain killed himself, our generation has been lost trying to find anybody willing to be a point person. Who has stepped up from my generation and meant anything, to anybody other than themselves? I can't think of anybody. I've tried many times but failed."(Billy Corgan). It was nearly impossible to find a man who put so much effort and work into what he loved to do, just to satisfy his fans. The reason that Cobain had such an impact on Generation X was because the 90’s generation were able to relate to his past trauma and know that they were not going through their own problems alone

and were inspired to never give up on their hopes and dreams and to always keep believing, even when life threw obstacles in your path. He knew how to take the dark, unpleasant lyrics and combine them with music which was upbeat and pleasant in order to help send a message to his fans. Just like one of his fans expatiated on his love for Cobain, “I sort of admired him… and I really like Nirvana… and I think it’s a real shame that he did it” (The Legacy of Kurt Cobain. Fan reactions to his death (YouTube)). As any teen would, many viewed Cobain as their idol. He allowed his audience to face their grief and let it take over for a couple seconds, and then pulled them out of the darkness with the bridge-like connection he established with them. Cobain hoped his fans would receive the messages he tried sending out in order to help them, as described in his suicide note, “I appreciate  the fact that I and we have affected and entertained a lot of people” (Date Jesus).

Seguing into the influence of drugs on the younger generations, teens were easily influenced by their surroundings: music, peers, media, etc. For example the book, Perks of Being a Wallflower exemplifies the way teenagers were influenced by their peers, “Would you like a brownie?” “Yes. Thank You.”… But this was not an ordinary brownie. Since you are older, I think you know what kind of brownie it was” (Chbosky). Charlie, the main character, begins to get the gist of parties and sees that everyone around him is either drinking, smoking, or involved in sexual activities and he begins to fall under the influence. He attempts to reach out to the reader to get out the message that susceptibility makes you vulnerable, after being influenced by his own peers. A survey conducted in the 90’s states that, “The use of methamphetamines (often called "crystal meth" or "meth") is relatively new among teens. A stimulant, meth creates

paranoia, hallucinations and repetitive behavior patterns. Long-term use can lead to toxic psychosis. Recent PDFA studies found that use by high school students more than doubled between 1990 and 1996” (Robison). Which teens have later admitted they had no clue of the dangers of these drugs since their surroundings were also taking in these drugs like it was nothing, making them wanting to do it themselves. Many teenagers claim to be experts on certain drugs, reassuring their friends or peers that nothing can possible go wrong when they actually were not educated at all except with their personal experiences. Teens through this generation were introduced to the new drugs that were entering their daily lives, making them curious to try out the new “cool” drugs that everyone was now beginning to try. Also, teens began to see their parents, or family members smoking, drinking, or even abusing these substances. An average teenager’s social life revolves around smoking pot (Frameworks), possibly injecting heroin, etc., allowing them to see the glorified effects of these drugs from their friends, as their friends are influencing them without even realizing it. Many teens were also prone to becoming addicted without knowing it. This was due to the fact that during early- and mid-adolescence, the brain undergoes considerable n eural growth and pruning which create changes of connectivity within and between various brain regions  (Bergland). Obviously, if teenagers were directed toward the wrong path and are surrounded by ruthless influences they potentially threw their life away to drugs. Despite the fact that many argue that the result of teens throwing themselves at drugs and their actions was through the influence of their surroundings, on the other hand, many beg to differ and imply that it was due to the fact of teens being pressured from their peers and the media itself. An epitome of teens being peer pressured was depicted by Perks of Being a

Wallflower, when one of the characters, Brad was pressured into bullying his own friends, “…Brad sat quiet for a second, but his buddies kept egging him on by pushing his shoulders… “I called you a faggot.”(Chbosky). Brad wouldn’t have attacked his friend if he did not have his friends nudging him to verbally attack his friend once again. Teens almost feel a burning itch on the inside of them to do as their friends say in order to gain a sense of respect, even if it involves completely destroying a person’s self-esteem. It’s difficult for many teens to stand up for themselves because of their daunting peers and the hate or name-calling that follows for not listening to their peers. Teens were also pressured to change themselves in order to fit in with the status quo. As illustrated, in the episode Moaning  Lisa of the hit show The Simpsons, Lisa begins to get rejected from the groups at school and wants to be to fit in. She begins to change herself in order for her friends to essentially approve of her. Marge explicitly voices to Lisa to, “Take all your bad feelings and push them down, all the way down, past your knees, until you’re almost walking on them and then you’ll fit in, and you’ll be invited to parties, and boys will like you and happiness will follow” (Groeing). Lisa at first attempts to fit in after being peer pressured on how to be “cool”. After Marge encourages Lisa to be herself, Lisa realizes that there is no rational reason to change yourself in order to get her peers to accept her. Unlike many shows, The Simpsons helped open eyes for everyone watching the show, especially the teens who had conflicting thoughts about who they ‘should be’ or ‘act like’ in order to fit in; The Simpsons had a prodigious impact on their audience as they were known for grabbing their audience’s attention and teaching them a lesson in almost every episode. The Simpsons was one of the few shows which depicted the media as having a positive influence on society. As many advertisements, television shows, and commercials glorified drugs and produced an image of the ‘perfect’ girl or

guy. On the contrary, the lyrics of Smells like Teen Spirit, “I feel stupid and contagious,” was elucidates at the fact that peer pressure can result with you doing things you would have never done without the forceful behavior from your surroundings. Also, the argument rises that the media pressures the youth to take part in drugs by glorifying them through movies, songs, television advertisements. For instance, an ad put out which depicted Cartoon Network characters joyously surrounding a man who was on drugs (Pennacchia). Many susceptible teens would see how this image glorifies drugs and feel a need that these networks would encourage drug use. Adding to that a survey, forty-seven percent of teens agreed that the media makes drugs seem like drugs are okay to take part in. As teens began to view this content, it tempts them to go out and try it for themselves as they viewed their idols in the movies taking part in drugs, etc. and they are the only ones left who are pure. When in reality, teens are nowhere near to being pressured into taking part in these actions. The media incorporates these details to draw attention for their personal benefit. Teens are actually being influenced by their idols and surroundings, not pressured. As the youth of America began to become susceptible to dispiriting actions, they began to find pleasure in the reactions of their peers as they began to go against the status quo or the social norm as the media began to push the idea to stand up for what you believe in. To illustrate this movement, Banksy created a wall mural, The Street is in Play, having the two young boys portrayed as rebellious, going against the rules enforced in order to get their way by ignoring the sign illustrating that graffiti is a crime, reaching for the spray paint bottle (Banksy). Teens in the 90’s were trying to prove the point that they were not afraid of rules. As portrayed in the song, Smells like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, “ Load up on guns, bring your friends, Its fun to lose and to

pretend” (Smells like Teen Spirit). This line is sarcastically expatiating about how most adults assume that teenagers are up to no good when they are with friends or even alone. Since teens are already being accused of these actions, they might as well go out of their way to prove that it is true. Also, in Perks of Being a Wallflower , Charlie describes their rebellious acts as they ignore the law and do what they want to do in order to satisfy themselves; “By this point, Patrick has brought a bottle of red wine with his fake ID, and we passed it back and forth” (Chbosky). Through this description, the reader begins to connect the dots and realize how the teens went out of their way to make fake ID’s in order to buy alcohol when they’re obviously under the legal age for drinking. Yet again, rebellion is portrayed again in the novel, “So, I climbed in Patrick’s car, which was filled with cigarette smoke. He offered me one, but I said not in front of my house. “Your parents don’t know you smoke?” “No. Should they?” “I guess not” (Chbosky). The actions that Charlie takes part in are obviously things his parents would not approve of, so he has to go behind their back to gain personal satisfaction. Many teens around this era were similar to Charlie, breaking rules and disobeying their parents so they could prove a point to society as they held their heads high and thought of themselves as superior to everyone else or just for their own selfish needs. All in all, the youth culture was impacted immensely because of the development of pop culture, by inspiring teens and influencing them to take part in drugs, apparently promoting pressure through their peers and the media, and the beginning of rebellion amongst teens.

Annotated List of Works Cited Bergland, Christopher. "Why Is the Teen Brain So Vulnerable?" Psychology Today. N.p., 19 Dec. 2013. Web. 16 May 2016. This article, depicts the reasons behind teens getting addicted to drugs. This data helps support a point made in the essay. Chbosky, Stephen. The Perks of Being a Wallflower. New York, United States: SIMON & A SCHUSTER, 2012. Print. The main character, Charlie sends letters to an unknown identity which was never mentioned in the book. He writes about his life decisions and actions taken day by day as a couple years go by. The reader is then allowed to view life from Charlie’s perspective with involvement with drugs, sex, alcohol, family and friend issues. This book captures the rebellious stages of teenagers in the early 90’s and how teenagers were able to push them through life; also helping the reader gain a clear perspective of what was going through a teenager’s mind.

"Cobain's Suicide Note." Date Jesus. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 May 2016. ojjojojo.

Frameworks Insti, Meg Bostrom. "Public Perception and Teen Reality." Copyright © 2001 – sdvsdf Frameworks InstituteIntroduction (n.d.): n. pag. Frameworks. Web. 16 May 2016. fvfvfv. This publication expatiates on the data behind the skfivn use of drugs among teens and the reasoning behind it. This allows the claim to be dfbdbtsupported with sufficient data.

Groeing, Matt. "The Simpsons Season 1 Episode 6 - Moaning Lisa." Watch Cartoons Online Free Cartoons Is Not Just For Kids. N.p., 11 Feb. 1990. Web. 03 Mar. 2016. Matt Groeing (creator of The Simpsons) wanted to send out a message to the viewers that they should be themselves and not change to impress others; people will like you for you, not some made up person you’re hiding behind. This episode captures the message that teens in the 90’s didn’t take in or ignored the advice given to them and went through changes

to impress others; this

episode helps serve a purpose to how teens might’ve connected to the character of Lisa in order to open up their own eyes.

Lazuras, Joe. "The Legacy of Kurt Cobain ( Fan Reaction to His Death April 1994 )." Youtube. Youtube, 27 Apr. 2012. Web. 22 Feb. 2016. The interviewer’s purpose was the get the reactions of Cobain’s fans when they found out about his death and how it would create an impact on their everyday lives. This interview captures the emotion in depth that the

fans were expressing as they described the effect that Cobain had on pop culture, and on their daily lives. Pennacchia, Robyn. "10 Most Unrealistic Anti-drug PSAs of the ’80s and ’90s." Death and sjdnksjiTaxes. N.p., 23 Apr. 2013. Web. 16 May 2016. This article contains many cartoons that gfbdgbedepict Anti-drug PSAs and one that encourages drug use. The cartoon allows the gfbdgbeaudience to perceive the perspective that younger generation was faced with in the 90s.

Robison, Jennifer. "Decades of Drug Use." Gallup.com. N.p., 9 July 2002. Web. 8 Apr. 2016. This article, explains the drug use statistics of the 80’s and 90’s. The information that was the most helpful was drug use in the 90’s. This information helps support the topic that was discussed by serving as the actual numbers of the argument brought up.

Wyatt, Daisy. "New Banksy Art in New York Painted over after One Day." The Independent. Independent Digital News and Media, 2 Oct. 2013. Web. 16 Feb. 2016. The illustrator, a graffiti artist, portrayed the act of rebellion among young teens in order to send a message to the fellow neighbors of the city. As two inquisitive children reach for a can of spray paint, led by a sense of rebellion. This portrait offers useful strategies for understanding the acts of young, rebellious children. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" Lyrics." NIRVANA LYRICS . AZ Lyrics, 16 Feb. 2016. Web. 16 Feb.

2016. The musicians, greatly respected and the most influential bands, depicted the life of a teenager to help understand the perspective of a rebel teenager, and the contradictory ideas and revolution in a mocking way. This song provides the commentary of Generation X in its teenage years, and how they changed the definition of being a teen in America today.

“Top 8 Reasons Why Teens Try Alcohol and Drugs." Partnership for Drug-Free Kids. DrugFree Kids, n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2016. This article describes the percentage of teenagers who are pressured to participate in drugs, alcohol because of the pressure that heavily pushed down on them

because of the media, etc. This data helps back-up the posed argument....