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Ayanna M. Sisson
Professor Dunham
ENG 1201.503
25 May 2019

The Evolution and Effects of Pop Culture

Pop culture has been a huge influence on the youth for a long time, traditionally being

associated with the less educated or lower classes, as the upper class was associated with the

“official culture”. As a teenager, pop culture is something that affects me personally, as well as

all my friends, classmates, and anyone around my age. Pop culture is any thoughts or ideas that

the main population prefers, meaning it’s everywhere from a movie, concert, television, sports,

and many other things. Because it’s around all of us and has such a huge impact on who we grow

up to be and what we believe in. I found this topic extremely interesting and very relatable for

numerous people. Watching things like entertainment on the TV and how it triggers people’s

emotions or causes someone to see a whole new perspective on a certain subject is astonishing. I

have always wondered why certain apps, people, or stories became so popular in the youth

population and how different “trends” have transformed people.

The youth’s self-definition has changed drastically over the years, based on different

things influencing how they see themselves. The media broadcasts different “goals” or

“expectations” that teens strive to become, which can be very harmful. I have grown up very

self-conscious and with low self-esteem, and many of my friends could relate. I feel that looking

into Pop culture and how it subconsciously influences young people to believe they have to look

or think a certain way is an issue I’d like to research more about. Instagram models, or famous

celebrities with perfect bodies, promoting things like diet pills, meal plans, or a glamorous

lifestyle could have a huge negative impact on adolescence. I believe a majority of people want

what they don’t have, and these people with platforms can use this to their advantage to create
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profit for themselves. I’d like to learn more about pop culture and how it influences me and the

rest of the youth in order to teach the next generation healthy ways to avoid toxic media.
I feel that this topic is relatable for many people around the world, which is another

reason why I feel it’s important to learn more about. In this day and age, media is everywhere we

go. Posters outside our favorite restaurants, advertisements, newspapers, radio, television, TV’s

and anywhere you think of most likely has some type of media associated with it. This makes me

think that this topic is extremely important for not only the youth but the older generations as

they also have a huge influence on the adolescence. Before I do any research on Pop culture and

its lasting effects, I believe it has an impact on almost every one of all ages, especially the

younger ones. I already know that social media and other online sources can be very fascinating

and easily become the center of anyone’s lives, as this has happened to me personally. Many

conversations revolve around Pop culture and the different events happening in the media.
During this process of researching more about my topic, I’d like to learn more about the

different trends that influence teens nationwide. I’d also like to become more educated on how

the media has impacted cultures throughout generations. I will most likely start my research by

using credible sources online or through the Sinclair database, using articles and websites to

learn more about my topic. In order to understand the beginnings of Pop culture, I will look into

the history of how it became such a prominent part of our culture. Some questions I will ask

during this process include: What trends are currently affecting the youth? How did pop culture

form, and how has it evolved? How has pop culture affected things like sexism, racism, etc.?