Final Project Ideas

So I have a few ideas of what I might want to do for our final project.

- Teenagers and tattoos/piercings/body modifications

- Teenage pregnancy

- Teenagers depictions on television over the years

For tattoos/piercings/body modifications, I want to look at how many teens actually have some form of these. I also would like to explore why they get tattoos, when tattoos became a form of rebellion, and parents’ reactions to their children getting tattoos or piercings. Media depictions of teenagers with modifications and modifications as a form of expression are also things that I would like to cover. I have found a great deal of books, articles, blogs, and websites related to this topic. (Some books include: Tattoos in Modern Society, Body Marks, The Body Art Book)

In terms of teenage pregnancy, I want to explore how views of it have evolved over the years. Shows like Teen Mom, 16 and Pregnant, and The Secret Life of the American Teen are changing the way that we look at pregnant teenagers. I want to examine those shows as well as some earlier media depictions of teen moms and dads. Mainly I would look at television shows like the ones named above.

I think it is interesting how teenagers have been shown on television shows throughout the years. I am especially interested in Nickelodeon and Disney channel shows from the 80’s, 90’s and today. I would examine some of these earlier shows for my project. I want to see how we went from shows like The Secret World of Alex Mack and Even Stevens to shows like Skins and Degrassi. I have already looked into some books that explore television shows. (These include: Teen TV, Teen Television, and The Cult TV)

Whichever topic that I choose I want to see if the Chicken Soup for the Teenagers Soul series has anything to say.

I am really leaning towards the tattoo/piercing/modification idea or the television and teenagers. I am really looking forward to doing this project!