{Solution} CLC-Media Portrayal of Adolescence Assignment

Directions: This is a CLC assignment. Each member of the group will watch a television show in which an adolescent(s) is a main character of the show. Watch at least three episodes of a season. After watching the episodes, answer the following questions to guide you in your CLC discussion.

Remember to share which show you will be watching so your colleagues do not watch the same show.

Solution

1.     List the name of program watched and the year(s) each originally aired.

 Shameless. The show was originally aired on January 9, 2011.

2.     Describe how adolescents were characterized in the program.

In brief, the Shameless series revolves around a big, dysfunctional, and to some extent problematic family that stays in Chicago’s South Side, specifically the “Back of the Yards Neighborhood.” In the series, adolescents are depicted as individuals with problematic behaviors linked to poor parenting methods, romantic relationships, and sexuality. First and foremost, from the program, the family of 6 kids lives on their own since their parents are drug addicts and alcoholics. Consequently, they are not able to adequately care for their children. Ian, who is the third oldest child and also an adolescent, is gay. He has a sexual relationship with a local corner store owner (who, according to the show, is double his age and married with 2 children). Later in the program, Ian is bullied by a neighborhood thug (Mickey) and ends up in a casual sex experience that blossoms into a relationship over time.

Mickey appears to be embarrassed by his act of being gay and never wants to admit his sexual orientation. When Mickey’s father discovers that he is gay, he forces him to have unprotected sex with a Russian prostitute while Ian watched. As a result, the Russian prostitute becomes pregnant. Debbie, the fourth child and also an adolescent, is haunted by a past sexual scandal. Debbie date-raped her 20-year-old boyfriend at 14 years old while he was unconscious. Based on the program, Debbie was aware that her boyfriend was drunk, but she was too infatuated to think clearly. In addition, Debbie’s actions can significantly be associated with emotional and psychological challenges most adolescents face that influence their self-esteem and confidence. For instance, in her case, she had a rough romantic relationship history in school and with the neighborhood kids since she thought she was not as beautiful as the other girls; hence, boys did not like her.   

From the highlighted examples, adolescents are characterized as mannerless and immoral individuals, with a significant part of their behavior and culture being associated with their upbringing. Ideally, the role played by their parents underscores the importance of effective parenting and awareness, especially…..