Collin Sarvis
February 27, 2009
Outline

I. Introduction
a. The media has a huge effect on and holds some responsibility for the amount of underage drinking and partying in teenagers today.
b. Teenagers are exposed to alcohol in the media every day, whether it is through television, movies, advertisement, magazines, or the news.
c. The image portrayed in television shows and movies is that drinking is the “cool” thing to do.
d. The teenage years are a rite of passage to grow and develop into a mature adult ready to enter the real world and make decisions.
e. There are reasons the United States has defined ages at which a child can vote, purchase tobacco, or consume alcohol. Although they seem minor, these are major decisions that could ultimately change one’s life.
f. Drinking alcohol can be a very dramatic, life changing choice leading to accidents, addictions, death, health problems, and criminal issues.
g. Over the years, the media, through print, television, and movies, has drastically developed into means of affecting and influencing teens, at very young ages.
II. Celebrities endorsing alcohol products
a. Magazine ads
b. Commercial ads
c. Songs supporting drinking alcohol or getting drunk
i. Ex. “I’m Drinking Again,” “Straight Tequila Night,” “Keg in the Closet,” and so many more to name
III. Television shows and movies portraying drinking and partying to be the “cool” thing to do
a. Examples: The O.C., One Tree Hill, Mean Girls, American Pie, and many more
b. The O.C.
i. Average audience of 6.7 million
ii. Included the main “cool” characters drinking, partying, smoking, and doing drugs
iii. These were the characters teenagers wanted to be
c. One Tree Hill
i. Average audience of 3.31 million
ii. Once again the main characters that teenagers wanted to be like were constantly partying and drinking
d. American Pie
i. Grossed around $235,483,004
ii. Stereotyped the “cool” kids as the ones who party, drink, and have sex
IV. celebrities in the media and news for going out, drinking, and partying
a. Examples: Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears, etc.
V. how teenagers are influenced by celebrities
a. all teenagers want to be accepted, fit in, and be “cool”
b. they view celebrities and characters on shows as the ideal type
c. try to be like them
VI. how alcohol can effect one’s life and future
a. health problems
b. mistakes
c. trouble with the law
d. addiction
e. reputation
VII. print ads
a. portray drinking as “cool”
b. no negative effects
c. all fun
d. celebrity endorsements
VIII. how drinking is overall portrayed
a. the negative outcomes are not shown
i. addiction
ii. accidents
iii. bad decisions/ mistakes
iv. ruined relationships
v. trouble with the law
b. portrayed as all fun
c. parties
d. being “cool”
IX. Conclusion
a. Illegal underage drinking has become a very common and too normal problem in America.
b. There are reasons the United States has a defined age until a child can consume alcohol; however, the media heavily influences teenagers going against this law.
c. The image in the media of consuming alcohol and the type of people who consume alcohol is positive and directed towards young adults.
d. Teenagers want to be “cool” and therefore make stupid mistakes.
e. Television, movies, advertisements, celebrities, and magazines persuade teenagers to make decisions that can dramatically change the rest of their life.