Mask project:
Final Mask essay
Ellie Duke
September 26 2013
Humanities
The Effects of Ageism
Ageism; when someone is discriminated against based on their age, has always been in my life. Even when I was just six years old, I can still remember when I was socialized to be the “weaker” one. Now that I am 14 years old, I can still see that this social identity problem is in my life, except the other way around. I have been socialized to be popular, be reckless, and only worry about what I look like. Living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I feel like everyone is socialized to ski, bike, and conform to “the social norms.” Based upon judgements made by citizens other than the teen population, teenagers are the rebellious ones, the lackadaisical ones, and the ones who care more about who they are physically, than who they are mentally. As a teen, it has been established to see myself and my peers as the bad influences on society and the ones who are blinded by societies control. This is a problem because it is considered an inequality. It is time for a new perspective on every teen including me. An image in people’s heads that displays that these judgements are not all the truth at all. There are roughly 21,514,000 teens ages 15-19 in the US according to the US census bureau in 2010. At this large of a population, I believe that everyone is different, and has different morals. Some may be that audacious teen we expect in our society, some may be incredibly brilliant and efficient, but our nation shouldn’t make assumptions that judge the general population of teens, based on a single negative action made by a teen. I think there can be change, as long as we accept each other and understand that everyone has different ethics.
As was previously stated, teenagers are concerned about their popularity status; Their physical impression. In an article I recently read, it says that “If you’re popular, sure you do well, but the same is true if you felt that you were socially accepted,” says author, Sarah Kliff, from the Washington Post. Acceptance is almost just as important if not equal, to popularity. In another article, it states that “ all ages worry about popularity in some way, but it is proven that teenagers worry more.” It is questionable why this is the case, but it is almost justified that it is the effect of social media. Being popular and being socially accepted are very similar to each other. Both mean that you are social and spread a positive vibe to others. Adults can be very insecure, but teenagers are much more plugged into the media and how it translates into our everyday lives. To me, social media generates a sense of normality that demonstrates how important it is to be popular. For example, a movie such as ‘Mean girls’, is only about “who gets that most attention” or “who has more friends” There are many movies, T.V. shows, and even video games that encourage this concept as well.
Being popular isn’t the only social norm that teenagers are insecure of, but being reckless or a negative influence on society is seen by adults and younger children. This categorization is almost completely fictitious. According to the statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse , tobacco use has been steadily decreasing compared to the past. Drugs have also been used more for pain relievers, than stimulants for teens each year. Likewise, more riots and crime occurred in the past compared to now. I feel that tobacco was much more common and normal back then, and now that people understand what goes into just a simple cigarette, the numbers of smokers has decreased dramatically. People perceive teenagers as adolescent druggies who get ‘buzzed’ whenever they can. In reality, much of the population of teens, do not use drugs. For example, in some cases, using different drugs can devastate one’s religion in some kind of way. As an example, it is against religion for the Mormon population to drink alcohol. It’s hard to tell how many people think of drugs as a sin, but there are definitely quite a lot. Much less, the past was alive with different gangs causing crime all the time. In present time, it isn’t typical to see gangs or have any problems with that counter culture anymore. That being said, it is hard to say that teenagers are rebellious at the slightest bit.
Which matters more… the college you attend, or the amount of likes you get on a Facebook status? Surprisingly, 22% of teens log onto their favorite social media site at least 10 times a day. Considering this, exposure to cyberbullying, sexting, and other social networking problems are causing a great amount of controversy in today’s society. At the same time, media can also be a positive impact. It can lead to new discoveries in technology and other goods. As was previously stated, media is quite addictive. People are always concerned of others paying attention or judging them, so they check their feed constantly. Media has many negative problems. Bullying online is leading to more and more suicidal encounters and more. Although, being internet savvy can lead to new discoveries and more job opportunities. I do feel like I am constantly plugged into so much. To me, media has more of a negative impact on my life, than a positive. In my generation, it is so common to have more than three social media websites. I do hope that someday, we aren’t so attached to the media like we are today.
Not only are there stereotypes against teens, but also amongst us. There are several subgroups that all affect me in someway. For example, there are the jocks, the nerds, the emo’s, the plastics, and many more. Also, the level of class makes a huge impact on how people perceive us. Due to cliques, officials say an estimated 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Six out of 10 teens witness bullying once a day.” says Amy Dunne. Depending on what ‘clique’ you’re from, causes a certain outlook towards you. For example, if you hang out with a ‘nerdy’ group of kids, the ‘jocks’ will observe you as different from themselves. It causes everyone to always have people they’re looking up to which can be good, but can also mean that they’re comparing themselves to that person which is usually very negative. Coming from Animas High School, everyone is considered equal and appreciated. That being said, I still notice how the same people sit with each other every single day at lunch. I question myself… “Do stereotypes ever go away, or are the constantly there?”
In the end, I have become more aware of the the negative and positive stereotypes of my age group. I now know the impact it will make on my younger sister, and how I can prevent such a negative vibe. As a teen, I have been socialized to see myself and my peers as the bad influences on society and the ones who are blinded by societies control. Now that I have completed this project, I have now opened my eyes at least a little bit. I know that there is so much more out there that I have not yet understood or discovered, but I can relate to so many different scenarios now. Ageism is an important factor in today’s society. It’s equal to racism, sexism and much more. It can be lessened just like black rights were as well. Also, I now recognize the difference between the social norms my parents expect, and the social norms my peers expect.
September 26 2013
Humanities
The Effects of Ageism
Ageism; when someone is discriminated against based on their age, has always been in my life. Even when I was just six years old, I can still remember when I was socialized to be the “weaker” one. Now that I am 14 years old, I can still see that this social identity problem is in my life, except the other way around. I have been socialized to be popular, be reckless, and only worry about what I look like. Living in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, I feel like everyone is socialized to ski, bike, and conform to “the social norms.” Based upon judgements made by citizens other than the teen population, teenagers are the rebellious ones, the lackadaisical ones, and the ones who care more about who they are physically, than who they are mentally. As a teen, it has been established to see myself and my peers as the bad influences on society and the ones who are blinded by societies control. This is a problem because it is considered an inequality. It is time for a new perspective on every teen including me. An image in people’s heads that displays that these judgements are not all the truth at all. There are roughly 21,514,000 teens ages 15-19 in the US according to the US census bureau in 2010. At this large of a population, I believe that everyone is different, and has different morals. Some may be that audacious teen we expect in our society, some may be incredibly brilliant and efficient, but our nation shouldn’t make assumptions that judge the general population of teens, based on a single negative action made by a teen. I think there can be change, as long as we accept each other and understand that everyone has different ethics.
As was previously stated, teenagers are concerned about their popularity status; Their physical impression. In an article I recently read, it says that “If you’re popular, sure you do well, but the same is true if you felt that you were socially accepted,” says author, Sarah Kliff, from the Washington Post. Acceptance is almost just as important if not equal, to popularity. In another article, it states that “ all ages worry about popularity in some way, but it is proven that teenagers worry more.” It is questionable why this is the case, but it is almost justified that it is the effect of social media. Being popular and being socially accepted are very similar to each other. Both mean that you are social and spread a positive vibe to others. Adults can be very insecure, but teenagers are much more plugged into the media and how it translates into our everyday lives. To me, social media generates a sense of normality that demonstrates how important it is to be popular. For example, a movie such as ‘Mean girls’, is only about “who gets that most attention” or “who has more friends” There are many movies, T.V. shows, and even video games that encourage this concept as well.
Being popular isn’t the only social norm that teenagers are insecure of, but being reckless or a negative influence on society is seen by adults and younger children. This categorization is almost completely fictitious. According to the statistics from the National Institute on Drug Abuse , tobacco use has been steadily decreasing compared to the past. Drugs have also been used more for pain relievers, than stimulants for teens each year. Likewise, more riots and crime occurred in the past compared to now. I feel that tobacco was much more common and normal back then, and now that people understand what goes into just a simple cigarette, the numbers of smokers has decreased dramatically. People perceive teenagers as adolescent druggies who get ‘buzzed’ whenever they can. In reality, much of the population of teens, do not use drugs. For example, in some cases, using different drugs can devastate one’s religion in some kind of way. As an example, it is against religion for the Mormon population to drink alcohol. It’s hard to tell how many people think of drugs as a sin, but there are definitely quite a lot. Much less, the past was alive with different gangs causing crime all the time. In present time, it isn’t typical to see gangs or have any problems with that counter culture anymore. That being said, it is hard to say that teenagers are rebellious at the slightest bit.
Which matters more… the college you attend, or the amount of likes you get on a Facebook status? Surprisingly, 22% of teens log onto their favorite social media site at least 10 times a day. Considering this, exposure to cyberbullying, sexting, and other social networking problems are causing a great amount of controversy in today’s society. At the same time, media can also be a positive impact. It can lead to new discoveries in technology and other goods. As was previously stated, media is quite addictive. People are always concerned of others paying attention or judging them, so they check their feed constantly. Media has many negative problems. Bullying online is leading to more and more suicidal encounters and more. Although, being internet savvy can lead to new discoveries and more job opportunities. I do feel like I am constantly plugged into so much. To me, media has more of a negative impact on my life, than a positive. In my generation, it is so common to have more than three social media websites. I do hope that someday, we aren’t so attached to the media like we are today.
Not only are there stereotypes against teens, but also amongst us. There are several subgroups that all affect me in someway. For example, there are the jocks, the nerds, the emo’s, the plastics, and many more. Also, the level of class makes a huge impact on how people perceive us. Due to cliques, officials say an estimated 160,000 children miss school every day out of fear of attack or intimidation by other students. Six out of 10 teens witness bullying once a day.” says Amy Dunne. Depending on what ‘clique’ you’re from, causes a certain outlook towards you. For example, if you hang out with a ‘nerdy’ group of kids, the ‘jocks’ will observe you as different from themselves. It causes everyone to always have people they’re looking up to which can be good, but can also mean that they’re comparing themselves to that person which is usually very negative. Coming from Animas High School, everyone is considered equal and appreciated. That being said, I still notice how the same people sit with each other every single day at lunch. I question myself… “Do stereotypes ever go away, or are the constantly there?”
In the end, I have become more aware of the the negative and positive stereotypes of my age group. I now know the impact it will make on my younger sister, and how I can prevent such a negative vibe. As a teen, I have been socialized to see myself and my peers as the bad influences on society and the ones who are blinded by societies control. Now that I have completed this project, I have now opened my eyes at least a little bit. I know that there is so much more out there that I have not yet understood or discovered, but I can relate to so many different scenarios now. Ageism is an important factor in today’s society. It’s equal to racism, sexism and much more. It can be lessened just like black rights were as well. Also, I now recognize the difference between the social norms my parents expect, and the social norms my peers expect.
Mask essay reflection:
1.) When it comes to my mask, I am most proud of what it represents. No about the color, or the symbols, but the meaning. I chose to represent a unique stereotype that no one else did. I chose ageism. Everyone else did gender, but ageism spoke to me most. I was able to really get my point across and correlate my thoughts onto one mask.
2.) My thesis statement, “As a teen, it has been established to see myself and my peers as the bad influences on society and the ones who are blinded by societies control,” is my favorite quote from my final mask essay. I chose this, because it really shows how I see the world in my eyes. How? Well, it shows my how I interpret how others look at me. That affects how I look at the world, because I am starting to see my peers in the same way.
3.) Something that I will take from this project and carry with my forever, is definitely how much it opened my eyes to societies control over me. I never really understood how much of an impact society makes on my life, until now. Also, I never thought ageism was as important as it is. I now consider it a human right people are discriminated by. Just like racism or even sexism.
4.) Next project I work on, I will make sure to incorporate perseverance more. I feel like I didn’t reach my highest potential in this mask project because I wasn’t determined enough. If I were to be more dedicated, I would’ve been able to make my mask a lot more attractive and personal.
2.) My thesis statement, “As a teen, it has been established to see myself and my peers as the bad influences on society and the ones who are blinded by societies control,” is my favorite quote from my final mask essay. I chose this, because it really shows how I see the world in my eyes. How? Well, it shows my how I interpret how others look at me. That affects how I look at the world, because I am starting to see my peers in the same way.
3.) Something that I will take from this project and carry with my forever, is definitely how much it opened my eyes to societies control over me. I never really understood how much of an impact society makes on my life, until now. Also, I never thought ageism was as important as it is. I now consider it a human right people are discriminated by. Just like racism or even sexism.
4.) Next project I work on, I will make sure to incorporate perseverance more. I feel like I didn’t reach my highest potential in this mask project because I wasn’t determined enough. If I were to be more dedicated, I would’ve been able to make my mask a lot more attractive and personal.