Focus: Sexualised images of the young

The images that we see in the media do affect us, especially the youth. This is our topic of debate this week and while a majority of the people polled agree that the pressure to look perfect exists, most think that it is up to the parents to inculcate the right values and that society and media can play a very positive role, indeed.

Together they can help change the wrong ideas, such
as the need for fitting into size zero clothes! Share your thoughts with us on the issue at readers@gulfnews.com.

Images put pressure on young people to be physically "perfect".

Yes, I agree with this very strongly because media portrays the "perfect" image and show this perfect guy meeting the perfect girl and they leading the perfect life.

It doesn't work that way in real life but the youth does get carried away with these images. I feel that education has an important role to play, to make them realise the difference between reel and real.
Sangini Arora
Dubai

No, honestly, as far as I am concerned, I don't care. This doesn't apply to me at all. Speaking generally, I think it is based on an individual's perception.

I wouldn't blame the media because they are free to show what they want to, we are responsible for what we view. We cannot blame them for our actions.
Prem Mehta
Dubai

Yes it does, mainly because one feels the need to be appreciated and get attention. I have seen people go to levels that they shouldn't, to achieve perfection. I blame the society to some extent and the media as well for it.
Shehzeen Farooqui
Dubai

Well, it does pressurise the youth, no doubt. The way I see it, media and society both play a role in this and since there are people who need attention, they try hard and when the others see the result, they too follow suit.

So it is a cycle that goes on. People need to learn to just be themselves.
Smita Chatterjee
Dubai

It leads to depression, eating disorders and poor academic performance.

I agree with the fact that it would lead to eating disorders and as a result, depression. And I think that most of the youngsters want to look like stars they see on screen and in order to achieve that look, they often starve themselves.

It is due to these reasons that they are not able to pay as much attention to studies and therefore they fare poorly in academics.
Sujit Mohit
Dubai

While it does affect the youth, it also depends on the psychology of a person - to what extent does the individual get influenced by these images.

This phase of life is actually quite unstable; I guess that is why these things affect almost all young people. I feel that it is the responsibility of the media to help them and show the right path.
Shivangi Shivhari
Dubai

It leads to all these causes only amongst girls, as they have this need to look as good as the stars on screen and to gain acceptance in the "in" crowd. As far as the boys are concerned, I don't think they care much about how they look.
Omar Khan
Dubai

Well, I think that the boys do not idolise the stars, rather they want to look different and better than the people on screen. But I definitely think that girls idolise the screen queens and therefore follow fads.

In my opinion, as long as the aim of looking like them is achieved in a healthy way, it is fine. I don't think they should opt for size zero.
Gaurav Sharma
Dubai

The problem is compounded because parents don't have enough time with their children.

Children need parents till a certain age, after that it is every man on his own. You have to go out there and learn; after all you are a member of society and need to mix in it. I don't think parents can be blamed in any way.
Rishi Mehta
Dubai

Yes, I agree completely. I think parents should explain certain things to their children and should be home with the children as much as is possible.

I think parents have the biggest responsibility to shoulder, so, yes, if they are not able to spend enough time, children will suffer.
Saloni Agrawal
Dubai

Definitely. Parents are the only ones who can help. Society too can, to some extent help, perhaps by conducting seminars in schools. It is needed as otherwise, as the children grow up, they live in their own fantasy world.
Melissa McAllister
Dubai

Well, yes it definitely makes a difference. I think when it comes to the media, strict censoring could help, like a warning before every programme is aired. After all, children do get influenced to do the wrong things easily, so parents need to monitor their children.
Tanya McGeever
UAE

It pushes up crime against children.

In the UAE, I don't think so. But generally speaking, I guess physical desires might increase.

When beauty pageants are aired, there are people who feel that they cannot get such beautiful people in their lives, this could lead to frustration within them, thus leading them to commit crimes against children. I think it is the adults who are the reason for this..
Deep Mozumdar
Dubai

I guess it does increase the number of paedophiles. Even otherwise, when people look at certain images, ideas do get implanted in their heads.

I think it is sad for children, as they are put under pressure to look good and are exposed to so many things about which they are still unaware. I think it is up to the parents to not expose them to such dangers.
Nancy El Beheiry
Dubai

I think that it is the media that has a bigger role to play here. Other than that, I feel that such crimes increase mainly due to lack of education. Media can minimise it by restricting the kind of movies that are made and the video clips circulated.
Reem Moharram
Dubai

I don't think they are healthy images that are portrayed these days. I don't think it can actually increase crime, as those who are likely to commit crimes against children don't need such encouragement.

Images in the media is not what would push them off the edge; you need to be extremely odd to commit such crimes. It wouldn't make any difference to normal people, they will not get affected by such things.
Dr Mark Coulson
UK