An invasion has hit our country and it is not from outer space. British children are constantly being brainwashed by the influences and subliminal messages of American culture.
British people have become overly obsessed with US reality TV shows. These shows are meant to show real life. However, this is not the case, what they really do is publicise the lives of a bunch of rich or idiotic people doing outrageous things so that they will become famous and be in the tabloids. These shows are the reason that adolescents believe that they can get away with anything and everything. The shows that I am talking about are The Hills , Jersey Shore and several types of the Real Housewives of somewhere aka NY, Jersey, Washington and so on. They pretend that their lives are real, when actually they are over dramatic and scripted so that they audience will be more enticed and more likely to carry on watching. Though unrealistic we still find them hilarious and love the drama. For these reasons similar shows are now originating in Britain such as Geordie Shore, Made in Chelsea, The Only Way Is Essex and The Valleys.
In addition, British children have also become extremely fixated with the notion of having a Super Sweet 16. This wasn't common in this country until MTV started to show the lavish parties of spoilt and impatient rich kids, who would get infuriated when they didn't get the $50,000 car they wanted.
Nevertheless, it's happening here now; it is no longer acceptable to have the substantial 18th and 21st, the new monumental age is 16. This is mainly due to the influence of America teen culture. In the USA being 16 is more of a milestone as it is the first stage of your coming of age as you can learn how to drive. However in this country, it is different as you can't drink or drive for another two years. Still, an increasing number of teens are asking their parents for a big 16th, hence why there is now a programme called Sweet 16 UK..
However, these are not the biggest influences that have come from America. Music is a universal language. Music is a powerful resource as it can change the way you feel and what you believe in. The American music industry can send powerful messages through the likes of Kanye West, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Justin Beiber, Rihanna and many more. These artists sing songs with catchy tunes. However, what we need to notice is the use subliminal messages that are continuously being drilled into our heads. What we don't realise is that these songs are about more than love and life, they are about religion, belief, violence, war and so much more. These songs can alter someone's emotions; you can be angry, then happy, then sad. This is a daunting fact as it shows the control they have over us.
People aren't likely to change their ways, just because a few say we are becoming too heavily influenced by America culture.
However the question that I want to ask is, should we be afraid? Should we be afraid that we are so easily influenced and that we are so ready to accept anything that comes our way? Should we be afraid that one day we might lose our identities?
I am not saying that we shouldn't embrace other cultures and their ways, I am simply saying that while we are, we must remember who we are. We are British and we have our own values.
