Tween Girls and The Media's Influence
Toya Bryant
August 01, 2008
Tweens girls or the segment of the American population comprised of pre-teenagers, generally aged 10 through 12 have garnered vast amounts of attention from advertisers, retailers, and the entertainment industry in recent years. Television and music executives have produced talented young actors, dancers, singers and musicians solely for the purpose of capturing the fascination of this tender audience. As a result, these mini-celebrities are being idolized to the point of having their every action emulated by millions of adoring adolescent female fans.
As the parent of two tween-aged daughters I have noticed storylines that promote glamorous lifestyles throughout the television lineups aimed at this previously neglected group. For instance, one scheme features a seemingly average student who doubles as the world's most famous rockstar whereas another is about a spoiled rich girl whose parent owns a hotel where the staff is subservient to her every need. These are unrealistic scenarios at best but are highly appealing to their impressionable minds.
Whilst most of these shows are wholesome, comedic and age appropriate they do promote an attitude among this demographic that they should be celebrities or Prada wearing fashionistas long before they are old enough to get their first summer job. Thus, embedding in them in their formative years the materialistic and fame seeking mind-set we see rampant in America today.
Will media's influence affect what tween-aged girls eventually aspire to? Maybe not. But as parents we need to counteract these idealistic images by providing our children with positive examples of people, young and old that rise above the superficial order of the day.
As the parent of two tween-aged daughters I have noticed storylines that promote glamorous lifestyles throughout the television lineups aimed at this previously neglected group. For instance, one scheme features a seemingly average student who doubles as the world's most famous rockstar whereas another is about a spoiled rich girl whose parent owns a hotel where the staff is subservient to her every need. These are unrealistic scenarios at best but are highly appealing to their impressionable minds.
Whilst most of these shows are wholesome, comedic and age appropriate they do promote an attitude among this demographic that they should be celebrities or Prada wearing fashionistas long before they are old enough to get their first summer job. Thus, embedding in them in their formative years the materialistic and fame seeking mind-set we see rampant in America today.
Will media's influence affect what tween-aged girls eventually aspire to? Maybe not. But as parents we need to counteract these idealistic images by providing our children with positive examples of people, young and old that rise above the superficial order of the day.
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