The Blind Leading the Blind

In the world today, we are all influenced by the media in some way. It could be in regard to clothing style in what we are meant to wear. It might involve what size we are supposedly expected to be. It may even be influence concerning the best time for us to lose our virginity. Regardless, the media is subtle in its approach of influence. The media is a quiet teacher.

In order to be fashionable, knowledge of current trends is vital in the determination of your social status. One has to be wearing the latest style of jeans, tops, and shoes in order to fit in. Consider wearing something from last season’s closet, and you’re a civic outcast. If the colors of the season are bold, then you go bold. If stylish is synonymous to black skinny jeans, you better run out and buy yourself a pair before you’re left behind to cough up the dust lingering after the vehicle of trend. Even shades of color play a big role in determining what is chic. “Earthy colors are so last season, so go and get yourself a dozen neon shirts,” declares the media. “Dark walls in any given home is so retro, so go repaint your entire house with coffees and creams,” they state. “You will never fit in,” they say. “You are a loser for being different, and you will, therefore, never ever be accepted.” In a world of conformity, life is rough for the individual who seeks to be unique. For the 16-year-old girl who wishes to wear her favorite shirt that she got back in eighth grade, for the 14-year-old boy who still likes to wear his Spiderman boxers and Superman socks, acceptance isn’t within easy reach. It’s not fair how we have to go so far out of our way every season to be “fashionable.”

If you desire to be beautiful, size does matter. If you’re not a size two, or even a size zero, you’re considered “fat”, and you have to, therefore, get yourself on the nearest diet immediately. Models in magazines such as Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, and Cosmopolitan are all great examples for how we are to appear physically. Scales, diets, and starvation are all important ingredients in order to achieve true “beauty.” Skin and bones are the way to go. If your body doesn’t represent that view, according to the media, you are overweight! Because of the pressure to be petite, women all over the world turn to Anorexia and Bulimia in hopes that those eating disorders will solve their problem. In reality, however, all it does it just make it worse! Although it’s not all that common, some women do manage to lose enough to fit into a size two dress. Yet, they soon realize that all that they accomplished is losing a part of themselves, physically as well as emotionally. Women lose a sense of who they are when they force themselves to lose the weight that the Lord had originally intended for them to have. We were not made to look the same, so it’s crazy for society to try to convince us otherwise.

Relationships are not legit unless the relationship is physical. Virgins are made to feel like they are denying themselves what they rightfully deserve by remaining virgins. Men and women who sleep around are commended for their actions. Instead of applauding virtuousness, immorality is being high-fived all over the world. Men are no longer expected to be gentlemen, but rather be “the man” by scoring as many “chicks” as he possibly can. Girls with morals are labeled as prudes and are teased mercilessly by peers. From being a thing of perfection, only for a man and his wife to share and experience together, sex has been twisted and polluted into being something filthy and perverted. Unmarried couples can no longer be satisfied with the traditional handholding and the occasional kiss. The physical side to relationships needs to be unleashed in order for the pair to be able to get better acquainted. Growing closer to each other through deep conversations and getting to know each other, in general, is a thing of the past. That’s what our grandparents did, it’s what most of our parents even did, but we, as the next generation, are going away from that standard completely. We are being taught to run away from everything good, everything pure, lovely, and honorable. Patience is no longer a virtue, and delayed gratification is practically unheard of.

It’s ridiculous how easily influenced we allow ourselves to be. We need to stop following the teachings of the media so blindly. We stagger and stumble after it like zombies in a cheesy horror show. All that the media needs to do is publish some statement about something pretty insignificant, and we’re already half way out the door, rushing to purchase that must-have car, must-have boyfriend, or must-have sweater. The funny thing is that trend is simply that: a trend. We have to learn to think for ourselves and not allow others to think for us. We need to develop our minds and our own train of thought in order to live a purposeful life. If the media has such a big influence over us now, in our current state, what will the world be like for our children, the next generation?