In addition to alcohol advertising, sexual advertising is also common in media viewed by adolescents. If one were to think back to the last commercial he or she saw, there is a likely chance that it had some type of sexual innuendo. For instance, the television commercials for Axe deodorant rely solely on the premise that when a guy sprays the deodorant, women, uncontrollably, start flocking to the man, ready to tear his clothes off. While this commercial makes a bold statement about its product, it promotes false claims about sex to children too immature to know the difference between what is true and false. Another example of sex as a common theme in advertising is the commercials for women’s bras by Victoria’s Secret. The provocative commercials feature supermodels prancing around in skimpy lingerie to attract the attention of both sexes, even though only women consume the product. Adult commercials like Victoria’s Secret aren’t committing any crimes, but are drawing the premature attention of adolescent eyes.
Television not only opens the eyes and ears of impressionable, sophomoric children, but also their mouths. Children spend hours upon hours sitting (more like snacking) in front of the television. Not only are the kids sedentary while watching television, but they are also constantly being bombarded with foods predominantly high in sugar and fat (American Public Health Association, 2007). The mass media targeting the youth includes television advertising, in-school marketing, product placements, the Internet, toys and products with brand logos, and youth-targeted promotions, such as cross-selling and tie-ins (American Public Health Association, 2007). A common example of the negative affects that television can have on the adolescent mind is the character Cookie Monster on Sesame Street. Yes, everyone is familiar with the lovable, googly-eyed, blue monster with the big appetite, but not everyone realizes the influence he is having on young children. The Cookie Monster spends most of his time gobbling down chocolate chip cookies that are high in fat, calories, and sugar, thus, giving young viewers the “o.k.” to do the same. See figure 2. Another example of child-aimed advertising is the 12-minute, in-classroom show, Channel One. The company broadcasting Channel One funds over 12,000 middle and high schools in the country that agree to air the program and its commercials (Prevention Institute, 2006). Advertising that occurs in school cafeterias includes soft-drink manufacturers such as Coca-Cola and Pepsi Co. that fund schools agreeing to only sell their products in schools vending machines. Finally, some schools have a “Domino’s Pizza Day” when the cafeteria sells Domino’s pizza and gives out coupons and pencils. Everywhere children turn, relentless marketers and advertisers attack them. One would think the place they could turn to for freedom of advertisements would be school, but no way! The foods some schools serve to begin with aren’t very healthy; let alone promoting the same nutrient-less garbage for consumption in the home life. (2)
Children’s wants are often favored over their needs when it comes family purchases. When was the last time a child begged his mother for some new deodorant, or a new washcloth, or some new dental floss, or a new multi-vitamin that didn’t have the Flintstones picture on it? Children spend most of their time begging parents for the luxurious items they see on television. These desired products are often not necessary to sustain life or improve any aspect of it. Marketing schemes today target demographics of young and receptive viewers that will have an influence in their household’s purchases. Marketers use whatever means possible to persuade and convince consumers, regardless of their age or intellect.
Your paper is quite convincing, aside from Cookie Monster. You did not have to mislead the reader with the example. For example, you could have explained the new circumstances surround Cookie as further proof of your point. If you want the plus, I would like to see you try this. Otherwise, you have a well supported paper.
- apostrophe error
- semicolon
GRADE = A
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