Children, Adolescents and the Media
Strasburger, Victor C. and Wilson, Barbara J. (2002).
Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, Inc.; 539 pages. $64.95 (p) $114 (h). ISBN 0761921257 (p) 0761921249 (h).
Have you grown disenchanted with film and television programming for young people, but would like some solid research to back up your observations? Have you ever been curious about the links between media violence and real life aggression? Or, have you ever been concerned about the effects that media and virtual environments are having on how young people perceive their bodies, sexuality or relationships? If your answer is yes, then Children, Adolescents and the Media is a book to add to your future reading list or class curriculum.
Although promoted as a textbook, Children, Adolescents and the Media is an interesting and informative read for concerned parents, educators, interested adults, policy makers and university students alike. In addition to being a well-written and very readable text, the myriad of examples, quotes, cartoons, album covers, lyrics, slogans and images taken from various media make the book an engaging and visually stimulating book. Furthermore, because so many of the charts and examples use well-known products, models, actors or companies, the majority of North American readers will readily identify and connect with this material even if media studies are not their area of expertise or training. The style of the book not only does justice to the research findings presented, but also makes the data accessible and applicable to diverse audiences and fields, a quality lacking in most specialized, university textbooks.
As co-authors, Victor C. Strasburger from the University of New Mexico and Barbara J. Wilson from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign seamlessly blend diverse research interests and educational backgrounds in a complementary and synergistic way. Strasburger comes from a medical perspective and is a well-seasoned author and award-winning researcher in the field of adolescent medicine. One may recognize Strasburger’s name as the author of Getting Your Kids to Say No in the 1990s When You Said Yes in the 1960s (1993). Wilson, on the other hand, comes from the field of communications and has served as a consultant for a variety of media conglomerates, including Nickelodeon, Discovery Channel Pictures and the National Association of Television Program Executives. Wilson’s first-hand, behind-the-scenes experience is evident in the book and certainly adds credibility and balance to a subject that is often presented in a gloom-and-doom, isn’t-the-media-bad manner. While Children, Adolescents and the Media certainly offers readers a provocative and troubling view of the effect media is having on youth, it is done in such a well-researched and credible way that readers are not left feeling like the authors were narrow-minded in their approach nor presenting a one-sided view to sway audiences for a particular agenda.
Grounded in the media-effects tradition, Children, Adolescents and the Media provides a comprehensive, research-oriented treatment of how youth interact with their media environment and the impact these daily interactions have on their development, world-view, and behavior, not to mention society as a whole. The primary impetus for the book may be identified as a call to action for those who parent, teach or care for youth and who are inundated with media and trying to navigate the incessant stimulation and pressure it provides. In a step-wise fashion, the book presents research that lays the groundwork for understanding why change and greater vigilance are necessary and then concludes with strategies for combating the negative trends while recognizing and emphasizing the positive effects media has the potential to evoke.
The breadth of topics and issues covered within the 539-page textbook is impressive. For example, aspects of child and adolescent development are covered, as well as a wide range of specific types of media, such as video games, advertising, music, music videos, and television. Additionally, the text also reflects current appetites for information regarding the Internet as a unique form of media. Over and above specific types of media, Children, Adolescents and the Media handles various social issues and their relationship to media. For example, eating disorders, suicide, violence, sexuality, and substance use are all addressed in a substantive way. Furthermore, this text presents practical information about teaching media literacy to youth, and concludes with ten arguments as to why improving the quality and content of media is necessary.
When a book captivates one’s interest, challenges one’s thinking and is both engaging and more importantly, relevant, it is difficult to offer criticism of such a work. From strictly a research point of view, there were times when supportive citations appeared to be outdated, but this is said without having an in-depth knowledge of the field or knowing whether or not a seemingly “old” source is still considered the preeminent reference in the field.
Overall, readers can expect to find an excellent resource in Children, Adolescents and Media, regardless of their respective professional or personal sphere of influence. Because all of us are impacted by media, this book in many ways transcends the normal academic or professional limits that apply to texts that focus on highly specialized content. This book is given a whole-hearted thumbs-up!
Reviewer Information
Marriage and Family Therapist Private Practice
Jill C. Manning, Ph.D. received her doctoral degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. She is currently in private practice in the Denver metro area and specializes in pornography addictions and problematic sexual behavior. She has practiced in a variety of settings including schools, hospitals and community agencies, and has also taught graduate-level courses. She has authored numerous chapters and articles related to the harms of pornography, and has been featured on several radio talk shows, television programs and in an upcoming documentary. Originally from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, she currently lives in Colorado with her husband where they both enjoy skiing, pugs and fine cuisine.