Identity Formation of the Youth in Nairobi: The Role of Television
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Date
2007
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Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
Over the last decade, in relation to the liberalization of the economy and the
airwaves, most Third world countries have seen an incredible development of media
outlets, especially in urban centers. Because of global media monopolization and higher
advancement in media technologies from the West, many African countries have found
themselves receiving information and media content coming from the West.
This one-way flow of information has led to a kind of contemporary
colonization, which is psychological in nature. Through the media, Africa has
progressively embraced 'western" values and ideals that have lead to the loss of
indigenous cultural identities in the continent. The urbanized dwellers are generally
consistent with the style of life proposed by the media. Some of the youths even
consider their cultural practices as backward, without first understanding what they
represented.
Being a youth, I have noticed that, it has become very fashionable to be
'westernized'; to dress in the latest 'western' designer fashion, talk with an American
accent and even adopt the western types of food. The mass media can be used both positively and negatively, and this applies for
the consequent effects as well. My project suggests that we can use the media
positively. It attempts to counter the effects of television resulting from the negative use
of the media, effects such as identity loss and confusion, which ultimately leads to a low
self perception or image.
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Keywords
Identity Formation, Youth, Television