Traditions are changing

Isn’t it wonderful how traditions are changing? Women no longer have to rely on men for empowerment or recognition, as women are now breadwinners as are men. In my grandparents time it was a norm for women to stay at home and manage the family while the men went out to work. Duties were split heavily and both people knew their roles. Now the roles seem to be blurred and shared a lot more – there is a greater deal of equality, which in my opinion, is for the better.

I know hear many of my friends telling me how they can’t wait to get on their career ladder and marriage and children will be coming much later in their life. This mentality is VERY different to how it used to be as the paradigm has shifted and women are now just as much business-minded as are men. It has meant, however, that men and women (in a lot of situations) are sharing more stress as they both work, they both manage the home and the both have to bring up their children. This consequently could mean that children are spending less time with their parents and more time with a nanny, so whether this is a great transformation in society for the children involved is unknown.

All that is entirely true is that times have changed and will only continue to change. Women and men are swapping roles and to be honest, it’s very hard to keep up. Expectations fluctuate but all that remains true, and true to me as a person, is I will always remain myself – Miss Gemma Leigh Smith and continue to be the best person I can be!

Consumption of the media and journalism

Consumerism and Critical thinking

As soon as my eyes open I’m alert and ready for another fantastic day ahead. Within a few minutes I check my Twitter and Facebook for any new notifications which usually consumes around 5/10 minutes of my morning. I normally re-tweet important tweets related to news organisations and then add my own comment and personal spin to them.

Once I’m back from my daily lecture and seminar I buy a newspaper from the shop by Northwick Park Station. The one I like to buy is The Times and i if it is available. Reading this newspaper may take me a few days; as I can get caught up in doing other tasks. In general, on a weekly basis, I will buy 4 newspapers – either The Guardian or The Times. On a daily basis also, I check The Guardian app on my iPhone. I do not have a television in my room, but soon I will be streaming from BBC iPlayer on my iPad once my wifi box is set up and then I will consume more broadcasting journalism from the BBC.

I rarely listen to the radio; this is something I need to do more. I heavily rely on news sources from different organisations and quite often compare stories to then allow me to form my own judgement.

As well as checking my tweets and notifcations for journalism frequently, you do come across other types of media that may influence what you think and feel about different perspectives within the world we live in. On a daily basis I would say I check Facebook for half an hour, connecting to friends and family and being involved in the social world. I also think you consume media when you see different posters and billboards. When you are going shopping and come across a variety of brands and slogans – all of which can influence the human mind.

From regularly checking my Twitter and blogging almost everyday/every two days, I definitely think about the media on a frequent basis; throughout my day. I love it. It’s my passion! Not only do I love the news and learning about the world around me, but I love writing.

Adding to that, as well as consumerism, I always like to think critically about the construction of the pieces I am reading. It is interesting to think about the influences that may have had an effect on the type of style it originates from – left wing/ring wing/neutral.