The World Beyond Family Chapter 17

Chapter at A Glance  Hoe Do Schools and Media Influence Parents and children?  School as an Agent of Socialization  The lifelong Influence of schooling  Media Pressures Facing Parents and Children  Parental Involvement in Schools and Media

Hoe Do Schools and Media Influence Parents and Children?  We can not escape the influence  School – from 6 – 16 yrs mandatory usually longer  7 hours per day five days a week for ten month of the year  In School we learn SOCIAL CONVENTIONS Eg. Turns, waiting in line etc.  School is an AGENT OF SOCIALIZATION because of its role in teaching children the ways of society.  School is increasing teaching more than the 3R’s  School is teaching about poverty, violence, faith, etc. (social justice issues, political issues)  Children/Parents have the Media influence as well  Print materials - books, magazines, catalogues, newspapers  Audiovisual technology (TV, radio and video  Electronic media (interactive games, Internet, computers  Display media (signs, billboards)

Formal and Informal Education  Formal education is regulated by the government and follows a prescribed curriculum or a specific courses of study.  Informal education takes place outside of school. Children learn a great deal from their parents and caregivers on a daily basis. They model desired behaviour, instruct in various skills, and guide children in what they need to know in order to get along in the family and in larger society.  Children also learn from many people outside the family – eg. Coaches, youth workers, dance instructors.  Anyone can benefit from the informal role played by a MENTOR – A PERSON WHO PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN ADVISING AOR GUIDING AN IDIVIDUAL. A MONTOR HELPS A PERSON BECOME A BETTER ATHLETE, STUDENT, OR WORKER.

SCHOOL AND SOCIAL ISSUES  Schools must keep up as society changes. Some of the social issues that make their way into the classroom are many.  Eg. Joint-custody arrangements, poverty, sexual orientation etc.  Schools can provide support for the well- being of students and promote healthy HGD.  Eg. Breakfast programs, “safe schools” offering mentorship, peer tutors, motivaitonal speakers, special clubs etc.

MEDIA PRESSURES Media has a huge influence of shaping identity and defining what is acceptable in society. Media Targeting Children – marketing, advertising can be a problem. Eg. McDonalds’ Happy Meal targeting to children – not a healthy habit. (physical development – obesity) Characters, logos and toys are used to appeal to children. Media influences concumerism – toys,computers etc. It is no wonder it costs well over $ to raise a child to the age of 18.!!!

Media Representation  Media sells lifestyles and images  Computer technology is a growing area of concern for pareants  Negative Media messages – violence, sexual content, sexual images have the power of alter thinking.  Parents need to be aware, critical and monitor children’s exposure to all forms of media.

Media Sterotyping  Women from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds fall far behind their male counterparts in TV programming.  Stereotyping – a fixed image of a person or group.  Stereotyping is a problem. Often, a judgement is made about a person or group being stereotyped. Generally, stereotypes are less real, more perfect, more exaggerated, and more predictable than their real-life counterparts.

Media Violence  Parents need to be concerned aboue the effect of media violence of children.  Abuse of women, attitudes towards women and girls.  Many studies show children who prder violent televiions shows and games are more likely to become aggressive later on.  We should be ware of the cumulative effect of violence on Children.

Media and Lifestyle  Media defines a lifestyle in images and presents a way of life and promotes it.  Sexual promiscuity, alcohol, drugs appear normal T.V. shows, online and in advertisements.  How do we stereotype boys and girls, women and men in the media?  Why can this be harmful?

Media Censorship.  Banning or censoring has not had much success in the past.  Freedom of speech is a right in the democratic world and media censorship infringes of this right.  The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees “freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including freedom of the press and other media communication”  However, hate propaganda or hate literature and sexual obscenity are not included in our freedom of expression.  Children are also protected by the Child Pornography Act passed in the House of Commons in 1993.