Me and My World: Culture and Its Impact

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Me and My World Culture and Its Impact

• Created by Michael H. Cheney

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Learning Objectives

• To understand the powerful influence of
  contemporary media in our culture
• To examine selected media
• To reflect on scriptural responses to negative
  cultural influences.
• Intellectually distinguished
• Religious
• Committed to justice
• Loving
• Developing as a leader
• Open to growth

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Cultural Influences

• In last session
• Focused on male/female stereotypes
• Many of these are perpetuated by the media.
• Important to reflect on values of society
• Effects freedom or control over influences over
  the way we grow and develop

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Discussion Exercise Cultural Influences

• Handout 3-A Our Culture, Our Selves
• Complete Col. A
• Arrive at a group ranking that reflects the
  relative influence of each item on their age
  group.
• Numbers for group ranking are in Col. B
• Share results with entire class
• Enter appropriate numbers in Col. C How might
  adults respond to them?

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Observations

• Each person is formed by ones environment which
  has a powerful influence on the way one views the
  world and ones place in it
• This exercise can help us see the things that we
  value

• If something one values is not playing a big role
  reflect on ways to make it a priority.
• God can speak to us through all the items on
  handout
• But we need to listen
• God calls us to live the Gospel and bring
  holiness to all of life.

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Exercise

• Minding the Media

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Minding the Media Small Group Exercise

• 10 Popular songs
• 10 Television shows
• 10 Most recent movies
• 10 Magazine ads for clothing, personal care,
  and/or entertainment
• Record key values, themes, stereotypes, messages
  conveyed in them.

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Analysis of Media

• Analyze the values and themes listed according to
  the following criteria
• Is this a Christian or Gospel value?
• Does this value build up the individual or affirm
  the holiness of the person as a creation of God?

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Discussion Questions

• Does the media generally help to build up or
  tear down our image of ourselves? Do they
  influence us to become better or worse?
• Does the media tend to make us who we are, or do
  they simply reflect who we are? In other words,
  do you think people are changed by what they see,
  read, and hear?

• Are young people affected by more or less by the
  media than their parents are? Why?
• Do you believe there should be some kind of
  censorship of the media? Why or why not? If you
  were a parent today, would your answer to that
  question be the same? Why or why not?

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Important Concepts

• Everyone is affected directly by individuals they
  encounter and the society one lives in
• Awareness leads to taking control of ones life
• Those who allow themselves to be manipulated will
  not be autonomous people and society (media)
  will enslaved you
• Therefore, necessary to evaluate what you hear
  and see.

• As Catholics,
• Called to be Christians in the world, not removed
  from it
• Called to evaluate our activities in light of the
  Gospel and stay away from what is contrary to the
  message of Jesus
• Called to be the salt of the earth to bring the
  light of Christ where it does not shine.

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Prayer

• Read Romans 116-18.

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Assignment Interview Three People 2 Adults 1
Teen

• What are the three most important qualities of a
  healthy relationship with someone else?
• What are the three biggest obstacles to forming a
  good relationship?
• Summarize your findings