Social Learning

In our world we live in, Women have a tough role in society. Throughout history, women have always been seen as inferior to men. Knowing this, it is easy to see how today's modern times have adapted the same principles of our ancestors and tweaked them into the media world we live in today. It is easy to see just why women and girls do everything in their power to resemble the beautiful celebrities they see on the television or to be as thin and sexy as the models in the malls. Men too are affected by this reality. Men grow up seeing the hero with the most muscles and physique getting the hot girl as his prize. All other body types are unacceptable to have and maintain a happy life.

To me, Social Learning is when somebody learns and believes that what they see in the media is what is wanted and accepted in society. For example, if women believe that men will only want to mary a girl who can cook, clean, and has a good body, they will socially learn that society does not accept any other types. It is easy to see how the amount of money invested in showcasing hot models makes average girls feel far inferior and less attractive. For this reason, girls grow up thinking that they are unattractive in society and need to buy make up to adjust their face or to get breast implants to increase sex appeal to the opposite sex. Men learn that if they do not 6-pack abs with killer biceps, girls will not look twice as them. Social Learning has a lot to deal with the gender roles in society.

One example of these gender issues seen modernly in society is from a show called Jersey Shore. The whole show focuses on a group of Italian-Americans living together in a house. The idea of the show was to show the lives of a certain eastern culture from New Jersey. However, the show depicts much more. The men on the show are all really buff with muscles while the women are all moderately skinny with large breasts. The men stress their ideal day as a "GTL", which means Gym, Tan, Laundry. They allow for the male audience to believe that if you are not tan or physically fit, no girl will ever want you. It also allows for the women audience to feel that if you are not trashy, do not like to dress in skimpy outfits, or do not like to get wasted on alcohol at the club, then you are not a girl worth having. If children grow up watching the Jersey Shore on MTV, socially they will learn just what is 'acceptable' in society. Jersey Shore has been said to be a really sexist show with a negative influence. But why is it so popular?

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With its popularity in America, it is clear to see why this show has had such a big effect on the teens who watch it. Social Learning allows for them to acknowledge what is socially accepted and in terms of this how, it seems as though only tan 'juiceheads' and sexy 'guidettes' are welcomed into society. 

The Jersey Shore allows for men to feel that they must look like this

http://www.jaunted.com/tag/jersey%20shore

and that women must look like this

http://www.jaunted.com/tag/jersey%20shore

So in conclusion, the media allows for society to see a group of people living on The Jersey Shore and feel as though their way of living should be embraced in order to have a fun life. If men want women (which they do) all it takes is a tan and a daily routine at the gym. If women want men (which they do) all it takes is big boobs, hair extensions, and their dignity. 

The media portrayed on television in my opinion has really become a negative influence, however I personally still watch it. The Jersey Shore is one of my favorite shows on television right now. A clip attached to my blog shows how The Jersey Shore has had a negative influence while it shows a man punching one of the main girls from the show. This violent act prompted much gender issues in the show to appear as many wondered what kind of guy punches a women?

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