Introduction

This Independent Research Project is proposed around the topic of "media and youth," with my hypothesis being “to what extend does the media influence the formation of youth’s identity.” This topic was chosen as individuals today are often surrounded by different forms of mass media, with the suggestion constantly being made that the media can have weighty effects in regards to the formation of an individual’s identity, particularly on those who are young and considered “vulnerable.” As a researcher I find this topic interesting and wanted to begin and continue to explore the different concepts of if adolescent’s in today’s society are really being overexposed to mass media, having the potential to result in corrupt effects on their general wellbeing.

Due to my hypothesis, I predict that I will find out that due to there being so much secondary research in the negative effects of media on an adolescent’s wellbeing and identity development, that it will become evident that students at Glenwood High School are being overexposed to mass media, resulting in detrimental effects on all aspects of their wellbeing, resulting in a harmful impact of how the individual perceives themselves.

This topic also directly relates to multiple core content areas in the Community and Family Studies Course, including:

≥ Resource Management: Within a community, any form of individual, group or family needs to have manageable resources to attain sustainable needs and wants. Resource management is essential as this contributions to the fulfillment of an individual’s needs, to achieve all aspects of wellbeing, which are physical, socioemotional, economic, spiritual and political. This relates to my topic as in a community where there are resources available such as counselors and support groups/networks, adolescents who are experiencing issues surrounding their self-esteem and body image can visit one of these resources to begin to develop an affirmative influential relationship, which in the short and long term will help to grow and encourage a progressive wellbeing.

≥ Individuals and Groups: When individuals within groups have confident interpersonal relationships, this links to each member helping to achieve a progressive and affirmative group wellbeing. However, when an individual has been negatively impacted by mass media, often resulting in a poor body image with a possible deduction of self-confidence, their capability to effectively communicate within a group situation can deteriorate, resulting in a loss of individual and overall group wellbeing, which overall links in with my chosen topic of research.

≥ Families and Communities: Consists of individuals connecting and working together, often in the case of an adolescent, involves their interactions at school. This content area relates to my topic as it explores the development of an individual through different stages of their life, incorporating the significance of positive socialization. The lifespan stage focused on in my IRP is youth who are studying at Glenwood High School which links in with my hypothesis as it focuses on the identity development of adolescents, due to the influential forms of mass media. Often communities will provide support services that specialize in dealing with adolescents. For example, Glenwood High employs a school counsellor who can provide help for those struggling the negative impacts of mass media.