The Changing Portrayal of Adolescents in the Media
During the economic boom of the post-World War II era, marketers and advertisers identified adolescents as a major audience, which led to the emergence of a pervasive youth culture. Enormous changes ensued in the media’s portrayal of adolescents and the behaviors they emulate. These changes were spurred by increased availability and consumption of television, which joined radio, film, and magazines as major influence on youth. Later, the rapid growth of the video game industry and the internet contributed to the encompassing presence of the media. Today, opportunities for youthful expression about to the point where adolescents can easily create and disseminate content with little control by traditional media gatekeepers.
In The Changing Portrayals of Adolescents in the Media since 1950 , leading scholars analyze the emergence of youth culture in music and powerful trends in gender and ethnic-racial representation, sexuality, substance use, violence, and suicide portrayed in the media. This book illuminates the evolution of teen portrayal, the potential consequences of these changes, and the ways policy-makers and parents can respond.
Introduction: Mass Media and the Socialization of Adolescents Since World War II
Daniel Romer
Part I The Emergence and Evolution of a Youth Culture in the Media
Chapter 1: Understanding the “Jackpot Market”: Media, Marketing, and the Rise of the American Teenager
Bill Osgerby
Chapter 2: “Still Talking About My Generation!” The Representation of Youth in Popular Music
Andy Bennett
Chapter 3: Music Videos: Media of the Youth, by the Youth, for the Youth
Michael Rich
Part II Portrayal of Adolescents and Influential Behaviors
Chapter 4: It Matters What Young People Watch: Health Risk Behaviors Portrayed in Top-Grossing Movies Since 1950
Patrick E. Jamieson, Eian More, Susan S. Lee, Peter Busse, and Daniel Romer
Chapter 5: Adolescent Gender Role Portrayals in the Media: 1950 to the Present
Jennifer L. Walsh and L. Monique Ward
Chapter 6: Adolescent Body Image and Eating in the Media: Trends and Implications for Adolescent Health
Kristen Harrison
Chapter 7: African Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans in the Media: Implications for Adolescents
Carolyn A. Stroman and Jannette L. Dates
Chapter 8: Adolescents and Television Violence
W. James Potter
Chapter 9: Tobacco Portrayals in U.S. Advertising and Entertainment Media
Timothy Dewhirst
Chapter 10: The Changing Portrayal of Alcohol Use in Television Advertising
Jennifer Horner, Patrick E. Jamieson, and Daniel Romer
Chapter 11: From Twin Beds to Sex at Your Fingertips: Teen Sexuality in Movies, Music, Television, and the Internet, 1950-2005
Susannah Stern and Jane D. Brown
Part III Evolving Forms of Media Influence
Chapter 12: The Games, They Are a-Changin’: Technological Advancements in Video Games and Implications for Effects on Youth
James D. Ivory
Chapter 13: Adolescents and the Internet
Linda A. Jackson
Part IV Policy Implications for Healthy Adolescent Development
Chapter 14: Policy Interventions
C. Edwin Baker
Chapter 15: Conclusion
Patrick E. Jamieson, Amy Jordan, and Daniel Romer
Here are some dramatic U.S. movie trends from our CHAMP data. More information can be found in The Changing Portrayal of Adolescents in the Media since 1950 (Oxford, 2008). This Amazon.com link takes you to it.
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Figure 1a. Mean proportion of young major characters (under age 21) in films with fitted trend from 1950 to 2004.
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Figure 1b. Mean proportions of male major characters in films with fitted trend from 1950 to 2004.
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Figure 1c. Mean percentage of film segments containing tobacco use in top 30 U.S. films (right axis) and U.S. per capita consumption of tobacco for ages 18 and older (left axis) from 1950 to 2004. Source: For 1950-1995: Tobacco Situation and Outlook Report, U.S.D.A., April 1996 and September 1987. Miller, R. U.S. cigarette consumption, 1900 to date. In: Harr W, ed. Tobacco yearbook, 1981-page 53. For 1996-2004: Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, Monthly Statistical Release – Tobacco Products, Bureau of the Census, Population Estimates |
Figure 1d. Mean percentage of segments with violence in top-30 films (right axis) and homicide rates for young people ages 15 to 24 (left axis) from 1950 to 2004. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics. |
Figure 1e. Mean suicide explicitness in films ranked 1 to 15 (right axis) and U.S. youth suicide rates for ages 15-24 (left axis) from 1950-2004. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, National Vital Statistics, and CHAMP |