Media plays a critical role in influencing adolescent’s decision on consuming drugs. The forms of media that are used in spreading information related to drugs include television, videos, internet, and radio. The Official Journal of The Academy of Pediatrics illustrates that young people mostly consume marijuana. The drugs create opportunities for teenagers engaging in other substance-related behavior. Illicit substances are not common in the television but are found in programs such as Fox’s that 70s and Showtime’s weed (Strasburger, 2010). Drugs are commonly abused in movies including marijuana. In one study, 22% of the movies contained drug episodes. Almost half of the episodes do not demonstrate the harmful effects of the drugs. R-stated movies have started to use marijuana in various scenes. Examples of movies that illustrate the use of marijuana include “ The Pineapple Express (2008)” and “ Harold and Kumar go to White Castle (2004)” (Strasburger, 2010). The NCASA (National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse) conducted a study in Colombian in 2005 where they found that viewing R-rated movies can increase the risk of consuming marijuana (Strasburger, 2010). The Hollywood movie directors are not aware that humor undermines the common resistances against substances among the teenagers but legalizes the consumptions of illegal drugs. Further, the increased consumption of recognized music increases the use of marijuana (Strasburger, 2010). Media influences the thoughts and behaviors of adolescents where they believe consuming drugs are appropriate.
In the United States, the abuse of marijuana among young people has become a significant problem over the past decade. The death and addiction rates among youths have increased. The American Pediatric has responded to the issue by creating laws that discourage the consumption of marijuana. The AP has addressed the use of marijuana though discouraging advertisements, movies, and social platforms. Companies spend more than $ 25 billion promoting the use of drugs, and the marketing strategies are useful because marijuana users are increasing (Strasburger, 2010). In the article, the AAP has addressed the issue of substance use by giving recommendations to drug companies, schools, and parents. The paper will focus on the main episodes from the movie, “ The Place Beyond Pines" which demonstrates underage consumption of marijuana and the necessity of teenagers to fit in their peer groups.
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Similarities and Differences
The restrictions for movies rely on rated R, G, PG-13, and PG. Movie guidelines are created by considering the age of the viewers. Teenagers and children are prohibited from watching movies until they become adults. Some parents allow the children to watch movies without feeling the restrictions in spite of the American Pediatric providing laws. Prospective research conducted on 3500 teenagers indicated that exposure to r-rated films increases the smoking risk among the viewers (Levianthal, 2018). Another study was conducted ad it was revealed that watching r-rated movies increased the smoking habit among white adolescents (Levianthal, 2018). The American Pediatric guideline demonstrates that exposing young people to r-rated or PG movies could influence their behavior for consuming drugs. Most teenagers have watched “The Place Beyond Pines" movie which has contributed to their use of marijuana.
The Place beyond Pines film illustrates the overuse of marijuana among teenagers. The movie contains scenes where high school students consume marijuana. One of the boys addresses his peers “do you know where we can get ecstasy?” (Cianfrance, 2013). The boy indicates that smoking marijuana brings excitement. Further, the boy influences his colleagues by stating “we just brought ourselves down now it is time to take something that will improve our moods” (Cianfrance, 2013). The boys are hesitant in taking marijuana due to peer pressure. In other scenes, the boys take other drugs after consuming marijuana. It is an indication that the boys took marijuana due to the influence of their peer. The boys consumed the substances because their parents and teachers were absent. Ultimately, the film demonstrates adverse decisions that deprive the meaning of the law and decrease integrity among young people. After watching the film, some teenagers engage in taking marijuana due to peer pressure or without the knowledge of teachers or parents. Teenagers perceive that taking marijuana is not harmful because the movie does not demonstrate the negative consequences. Young people in the United States are taking marijuana because they believe it is not harmful, but their parents d not influence consumption habits (Levianthal, 2018). Movies show the positive effects of taking drugs which include pleasure and excitement.
Some of the media presents the adverse effects of taking marijuana. In the television comedy, Cheech and Chong , the directors try to depict the consequences of marijuana on the mental health of the consumer. After taking marijuana, the two characters in the comedy lose the IQ capacity by 20 ("Marijuana Portrayal in Media – Sober Living AZ", 2018) . Consequently, the actors became incompetent in performing the activities. The viewers are afraid of taking marijuana to prevent mental problems. Besides, Up Smoke movie also portrays the negative influence of marijuana on the smokers ("Marijuana Portrayal in Media – Sober Living AZ", 2018) . Glenn (2015) claims that the media portrays myths on the effects of marijuana on the users. The author states that the 70s show demonstrates that the consumption of marijuana can lead to mental incapacitation. Glen (2015) further attests that marijuana can cause psychological addiction or the inevitable use of other substances.
The United States federal government holds that marijuana has harmful effects on health consumers. Some famous political figures such as the president, vice-presidents, and public officers admit that they consumed the substance at a young age. They agree that marijuana affects the mental ability of users (Levinthal, 2018). By watching the films, the keen viewers can identify the harmful effects of the drugs. The American Pediatric perceives that marijuana has a negative influence on the health and life of the consumer. The organization indicates that the abuse of marijuana increases sexual activities among young people. American Pediatric states that teenagers who are sexually active are 22times likely to consume marijuana (Strasburger, 2010). Additionally, the organization holds that films increase the desire of teenagers to engage in sex. The viewers can take the lessons from the movies as a warning to the use of the drug. Alternatively, some viewers can try consuming the drug because the movie depicts that it increases confidence.
The consumption of drugs affects the family and community of the user. The consumer’s family can bear the financial burden in case of mental illnesses. The user’s household has to meet the rehabilitation and hospital expenses. About one in four families in America report that substances cause trouble in households. The cost of living is increasing, and around two out of three American civilians worry about the financial sources of their substances (Levinthal, 2018). Some are supported by their family members in case they are addicted to drugs.
The media tries to express different messages on the advantages of drugs which is contradictory to the actual information. Films express that taking drugs is fashionable and attracts the attention of others. They also indicate that substances increase pleasure, excitement, and confidences to the consumers. Other movies show that drugs make the consumers relax. Some films do not involve the negative results of taking substances. The information depicted in the media is different from the facts. The real information focuses on the consequences of substances on the consumer. The data from the articles are based on facts which are different from the media portrayal of marijuana.
The media portrays that marijuana is a legal substance. Marijuana was legalized in America, and the media illustrates that it can be consumed. However, the drug should be taken after prescription from the doctor. Teenagers despise the use of marijuana and take in large quantities which affect their health. Williams (2017), in his article, opposes the strategies that Hollywood is using in portraying marijuana. The author claims that the media is using an outdated approach in depicting the drug to the public. Williams (2017) provides that Hollywood illustrated marijuana wrongly in “ Ballers ” and “ Disjointed ” films. The writer argues that marijuana is legal in the United States and the media should deliver the message correctly. The drug was legalized in the United States since 2009. Williams (2017) adds that the business activities of selling and buying marijuana are regulated. Thus, the media should not demonstrate the adverse outcomes of taking the drug.
On the contrary, the United States government and the American Academy of Pediatrics hold that marijuana in an illegal drug. About 30 states in America are legalizing marijuana for therapeutic purposes (Levinthal, 2018). Marijuana is used in the management of post-traumatic stress disorder, nerve pain, nausea, and weight loss. The states argue that the drug can be legalized for adults’ consumption. Through legalizing marijuana, teenagers use it without the consent of the parents. The federal government hosts anti-drug campaigns to discourage young people from taking substances (Levinthal, 2018). The AAP does not support the legalization of marijuana. It has formed laws to combat marijuana consumption.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises pediatricians to advocate for changes in the filmmaking process by eliminating episodes that encourage smoking among the children (Strasburger, 2010). The organization provides that films should not illustrate the consumption of substance as a normative behavior among young people. The body recommends that television stations that are commonly viewed by teenagers should display public advertisements that express the harmful consequences of substance use (Strasburger, 2010). The federal government and AAP play a significant role in the reduction of drug consumption through establishing laws.
The American Academy of Pediatrics criticizes the media portrayal of drugs to the audience. The AAP claims that the internet, social platforms, and phones create opportunities for teenage exposure to drugs. Various websites sell drugs, but few of them contain age-identification processes (Strasburger, 2010). Consequently, teenagers can access drugs through online platforms without any restrictions. The AAP revealed that teenagers view drug taking procedures in online videos that are displayed in the social networks. The study conducted by Moreno et al. (2009) revealed that about 40% of social media profiles encouraged drug consumption (Strasburger, 2010). Teenagers can consume drugs to gain recognition on social media platforms.
The AAP argues that the advertisements displayed on the media encourage teenagers to consume drugs. The organization attests that the effect of ads on children is inevitable because it triggers their thoughts. Companies use advertisements because they are useful in influencing the publics' decisions. Most of the television commercials have celebrity characters who advertise drugs or alcohol. The advertisements attract the attention of young people because they adore the lives of celebrities. Adolescents engage in drug consuming behavior to imitate celebrities. The AAP criticizes the negative influence of the advertisements on the conduct of teenagers. The body recommends that drug advertisements should be banned (Strasburger, 2010). Advertisements also play a significant role in affecting the conduct of young people.
The portrayal of marijuana in the media is different from the American Academy of Pediatric guidelines. Most of the media sources express the use of marijuana as a normal behavior among teenagers and adults. Some of the films contain scenes that illustrate the use of drugs. As a result, the viewers thought are influenced where they engage in taking substances. Other media sources support the legalization of marijuana which increases its use. Alternatively, the AAP discourages the use of substances where it has set policies that must be implemented by the pediatrics in schools, community, and drug companies (Strasburger, 2010). The policies are formed to decrease advertisement on encouraging the use of drugs. Besides, the AAP has created laws that facilitate the implementation of anti-drugs programs (Strasburger, 2010). The AAP guidelines and some media sources discourage the use of drugs. Films indicate the harmful effects of substance consumption. By viewing the films and implementing the guidelines, the drug use rates decrease.
Implications of Marijuana Portrayal in the Media
The portrayal of marijuana in the film relates to the life of the adolescents in high school. Teenagers are attracted to social groups because they are desperate for acceptance. All the members of the group must follow the behaviors of the leaders to gain attention. Many adolescents try to solve their problems, but they need support from their colleagues. Teenagers believe that friends can assist in making decisions. Young people desire to gain recognition through imitating their peers. As a result, they watch the latest films that contain a demonstration of substance use. The children watch films without the parents’ knowledge. Subsequently, the young people try to copy the movie stars by taking drugs.
The messages in the movie that contain illustrations on taking substances are drugs have no adverse effects. Most of the characters demonstrated in the films become aggressive and excited after consuming the substances. Other movies or media sources indicate that drugs bring pleasure. The messages about substances are addressed to the viewers to influence their thoughts. Alternatively, the media messages are different from the actual data. Media information focuses on the advantages of substance abuse. The actual information covers a broad scope including the pros and cons of using drugs. Figures from field data or statistic support the advantages and disadvantages of substance use. Besides, the original data provides recommendations for the drawbacks of drug abuse. Actual information is credible and reliable as compared to the uncertain messages communicated through the media sources. The media messages are an accurate representation of the use the substances, but they do not express the real meaning. For instance, “ The Place Beyond Pines ” movie has two weaknesses. Firstly, the film shows that it is easy to smoke marijuana (Cianfrance, 2013). The viewers can try smoking marijuana because it is easy. Secondly, the film illustrates that smoking marijuana establishes relationships among peers (Cianfrance, 2013). Teenagers will low self-esteem can try to take drugs to have new friends or become members of support groups.
The film is entertaining, but it creates a negative image in the mind of the viewers. The Place beyond Pines film delivers a negative message to teenagers in the community. It displays that taking marijuana is a natural activity. The film also depicts that drugs increase acceptance among peers. Teenagers value recognition and they can sacrifice anything to get attention from the peers. Also, the movie focuses on the effect of peer pressure on the decisions of young people (Cianfrance, 2013). The study conducted by ASAKB (Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base) showed that a third of teenagers make choices through the influence of their colleagues (Teen Peer Pressure Statistics & Facts, 2016). The scope of social acceptance involves family, peers, and acquaintances. The economic class does not influence the challenges faced by adolescents (Teen Peer Pressure Statistics & Facts, 2016). The film shows underage smoking of tobacco and the processes used by the high school students. The movie appeals to teenagers because it is easier to make them believe that smoking marijuana is pleasurable. It also shows the importance of having groups to make decisions.
The media portrayals should be accurate too because they have a direct influence on the thoughts and conduct of the public. Media messages influence the viewers positively in case the accurate data is presented. The messages can have an adverse effect if the wrong information is displayed. The directors of movies should deliver a positive message to the audience to influence their behaviors correctly. Movies should provide life lessons and entertain the public rather than encouraging negative habits.
Recommendations
One of the essential recommendations is that pediatricians should motivate the entertainment sector to become sensitive to the influence of television programs or movies on young people. The entertainment sector must ensure that it fulfills the public health responsibility (Strasburger, 2010). Movie directors should eliminate smoking episodes and should not glamorize the scenes to divert the attention of the viewers. Films should be smoke-free zones to reduce drug scenes from the movies. It also prevents the actors or actress from engaging in smoking behavior (Strasburger, 2010). The television stations should display anti-smoking ads to reveal the use of drugs. Televisions that are commonly viewed by teenagers should use public service advertisements on the disadvantages of taking substances. The entertainment sector needs to transform the reviews for smoking to garner r-ratings in the new films. Pediatricians can encourage production companies to ban films that trigger smoking behavior (Strasburger, 2010). The recommendation will assist in creating awareness of smoking substances. The citizens acquire knowledge about the advantages and disadvantages of using drugs. By providing knowledge to the civilians, the teenagers will make decisions on whether to consume the drugs.
Another important recommendation is that pediatricians should encourage the parents to limit the teenagers from accessing television networks that exhibit the use of stimulants. Parents should not permit their children to watch networks such as MTV, Comedy Central, HBO, and Showtime (Strasburger, 2010). Through prohibiting the children from watching shows that reveal drug abuse, the usage rates will decrease. Parents play a critical role in guiding children to improve their behavior. The recommendation is important because parents spend most of the time with children where they create strong bonds. Guardians can explain to the young people the benefits and consequences of watching drug-free movies.
The last recommendation that should be considered is that pediatricians ensure that schools provide media education in the curriculum. Students should understand the proper way of utilizing media. The drug-resistance programs should be based on media literacy to discourage advertising the use of substances. Schools can also implement programs that influence the psychological conditions of users or teenagers (Strasburger, 2010). Through incorporating the media education in the curriculum, students can avoid taking substances due to their effects on physical and mental states.
The recommendations are essential because they have a direct effect on the thoughts and behaviors of the children. The entertainment industry should produce films that mold the character of the viewers. Further, the sector should fulfill the purpose of producing movies which are entertaining the audience. Movies should influence the viewers positively and demonstrate warnings for various habits such as taking substances or engaging in sexual activities. The drug-related movies should be banned to limit the access of teenagers. It is necessary to monitor the programs that children watch to incorporate a positive behavior.
In conclusion, the media influences the thoughts and behaviors of the viewers. Teenagers make decisions on taking drugs based on the media information. The media reveals that marijuana is harmful, but other sources display that substances relieve stress or increase pleasure. Exposure to media that illustrates that drugs are beneficial influences the abusing habits of the teenagers. Due to the rise of drug in-take among teenagers in the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics provided recommendations to discourage substance use. The AAP first assessed the rates of drug and alcohol abuse before providing solutions. The best solution is monitoring the production of movies to reduce teenage exposure to drug episodes. Adolescents need support from the parents and teachers to avoid the smoking behavior. For instance, parents should control the watching behavior of children by providing access to substance-free movies and television networks. Schools should provide media education to enlighten the students on the appropriate entertainment sources they should watch. Teachers, parents, and movie producers should collaborate to reduce the rates of substance abuse among young people.
References
Cianfrance, D. (2013). The Place Beyond the Pines . Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmHue6HN1RU
Glenn, A. (2015). False representations: Media portrayal of marijuana - The Pitt News. Retrieved from https://pittnews.com/article/1350/opinions/false-representations-media-portrayal-of-marijuana/
Levinthal, C. F. (2018). Drugs, behavior, and modern society . Boston: Allyn & Bacon. Bottom of Form
Marijuana Portrayal in Media – Sober Living AZ. (2018). Retrieved from http://soberlivingaz.com/marijuana-portrayal-in-media/
Strasburger, V. C. (2010). Policy statement--children, adolescents, substance abuse, and the media. Pediatrics , 126 (4), 791-799.
Teen Peer Pressure Statistics & Facts . (2016, March 21). Retrieved from https://www.teenhelp.com/teen-issues/peer-pressure-statistics-facts/
