Influences on the Younger Generation

            Children are highly impressionable, and often mimic what they see and hear, as well as frequently doing what they are told to do.  A large influence to children results from exposure to the media, as well as influences in a school setting.  This can be positive, in that certain exposure may actually help children develop, both emotionally and from an educational perspective.  However, a high exposure to the media, and influences from teachers, may also present a problem when material is presented that can be developmentally harmful to children, or elicit unwanted behaviors. 

            Some aspects of television are educational, and beneficial for children to view.  For example, many shows on PBS are aimed at improving simplistic skills in children, such as counting or reciting the alphabet.  This may prove as beneficial in the long run; being exposed to educational material at such a young age has the potential to enhance a child’s knowledge in the future (not necessarily a guarantee though).  On the contrary, some television shows represent themes that are detrimental for the consumption of a child.  Programs that depict violence, profanity, or other elements related thereof may influence a child to act out in accordance to what they see and hear.  This has been an ongoing debate amongst researchers – how much, if at all, does television affect children?  Also, is it possible by doing short-term research to determine the long-lasting effects? Regardless of how impactful the media is on children, it is evident that it does have some effect, one way or the other.

            However, strong influences exist outside of the media as well; for example, in classrooms.  Teachers spend more time with children than their own parents do throughout the course of the younger school years.  The lessons, and words, spoken by teachers to students can make a lasting impact; furthermore, the general ideology of the school, and what is accepted, can mold a child to behavior, and speak, in a certain way.  In the novel Borderlands by Gloria Anzaldua, she speaks of the struggles of growing up as a young girl in school, and being required to speak English.  She was reprimanded if she spoke her native tongue, and was forced to suppress an aspect of her identity.  This is a phenomenon seen all too often throughout the American society. Through the school system enforcing English being the mainstream language, many children are influenced in a way that makes them abandon a key aspect of their life.

            Ultimately, it can generally be agreed that the media, as well as the school system (specifically teachers) have a strong influence on the younger generation.  The influences can be positive, and help children grow, but can also have negative impacts, and prove as detrimental.  This influence is very prevalent, and will not subside, but external influences may balance it out.