The Impact of Entertainment on Shaping Culture

But why are we so susceptible to the influences of mass media in the first place?

In detecting the reasons as to why we are so consumed by entertainment, Christina Anker, Media Analysis teacher, specifically points to the fact that viewers are often not critical or analytical of what they encounter daily on the their TV screens or in their music, instead engaging in a passive activity devoid of any active, analytical judgement.

“I think the very nature of entertainment suspends our critical judgement as viewers,” Anker said. “And because entertainment can so easily consume us, I think we believe [its messages] because we like it, whether that’s movies, or music, or a video on Youtube.”

From a psychological perspective, it also seems that conformity and the need for approval may be important factors in our tendency to be so consumed by mass media. According to Brandt, the images and messages we see in our daily entertainment are often reminders of the idealistic beauty standards that we may feel pressured to adhere to in order to “fit in.”
“Modeling, conformity and the need for approval are strong motivating factors; we all want acceptance and external looks is the first outward sign we give to others,” Brandt said. “We are inundated with images from the media hundreds of times per day—and these are constant reminders of how beauty is defined.”

Also noting the pervasive role of media in our daily lives, Anker specifically highlights the gossip culture that is often prevalent in celebrity tabloids and magazines. Pointing to popular magazine spreads such as the ‘who wore it better’ contests, Anker notes that such messages can often fuel negative competition between women over their beauty and appearance.

“[Celebrity tabloids and gossip magazines] give the message to women that fashion and beauty is a competition,” Anker said. “And what message does that send, then, to females trying to emulate those stars? Well, it’s not building collaboration, it’s not building sisterhood, and it’s not building bonds between women.”

Recent attempts by the media to have more positive influences, however, have suggested that sending the correct, appropriate message is often more challenging than it seems. In attempting to empower one type of body shape or appearance, often what occurs on the flipside is the shaming or neglection of all the other “types” that don’t look that certain way, Velding said. Pointing to recent pop music such as Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass” as an example, Velding indicates that while the song intends to celebrate “curvier” girls, it also may unintentionally shame other body types in the process.

“I think we’re definitely better [with positive messages of beauty] than we have in the past, but I don’t think we’re completely there yet,” Velding said. “They’re still enforcing some sort of standard while trying to say, ‘be yourself.’”

As kingdom ambassadors we have a responsibility to perpetuate the message of love, forgiveness, kindness and hope.  Be who God created you to be and if your calling is Arts & Entertainment then allow God to guide you down that path and remain a light in the world of darkness.

Blessings

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