Assignment 1-3
Journal Article Analysis
Amy Emswiler
Franklin University
Assignment 1-3/HUMN 341
March 9, 2008
Attention Deficit Disorder is becoming more and more common around the world. Many children and even adults suffer from this disorder on a daily basis. It’s hard to believe but very true. Every case has different circumstances and some cases may be more severe then others but the fact is, it’s a disorder that is getting more attention then ever before. When it comes to the media one never knows what the full truth may be. The media represents most information as being true, but sometimes, one has to question if all the information they are telling is true or not.
The article I choose to analyze talks about how the media represents attention deficit disorder (ADD) to the popular culture. In 1980 Attention Deficit Disorder was recognized as a category of disability with or without hyperactivity. Physicians determine if the person being diagnosed is severe enough to need prescription medicine to help with the disorder. Ritalin is a common treatment for ADD and usually has good results in the end. Some parents really don’t like putting their child on Ritalin due to the side effects it causes. Some children seem to lose their personality in a way, but others are able to function like a normal child.
One study that was mentioned in the article talked about how movies and television shows don’t stimulate the brain waves enough. It was mentioned that in order to get through to certain people they would need to watch particular movies in order to understand what was going on. Most of the movies that we watch today are considered to be more for entertainment purposes and not for learning purposes. Although, most movies that are produced for children are for learning and entertainment purposes to help develop the brain. As long as they are getting their point across and children understand what is going on, then they are getting some kind of brain waves stimulated.
The article had some very good examples of television shows that have shown one of the characters being diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. Some of the shows are known by most of us such as “South Park”, “The Simpson’s”, and Bobby Hill on the show of “King of the Hill”. Bobby was diagnosed with ADD on the show, and his parents accepted the diagnosis unquestioningly. They just accepted what the doctor had to say with no questions asked. I’m sure since it’s a television show and not in real life the circumstances are a little different, but still it would be hard for me to accept that kind of response with no questions asked at all. I would have to do some research about the disorder to fully believe that my child had this kind of disorder. There are so many issues in the world today and children are diagnosed with different disorders all the time, I would just feel better knowing I did my part as a parent. This issue also plays a huge part in how the media portrays ADD. Several people watch television on a daily basis. Seeing the information on a well liked episode could make someone question if this could be a problem they are experiencing or their child. I don’t feel that it’s fair for television shows to publish this kind of information when it’s such a huge issue in today’s society.
I think in today’s society some parents are quick to agree with the doctors. I’m not saying that the doctors are wrong but in some cases they might be miss diagnosing a child if they don’t have much contact with them on a day to day basis. The doctors are not the ones around the child everyday, day in and day out. They don’t see how they interact with people or how they behave for their parents. All the doctors see is a child sitting in front of them that is hyper and can’t pay attention to something or someone for a long period of time. I just think some more time and development needs to be put into diagnosing a child when they are going to be medicated every single day. I know that every case is different under different circumstances but I think this particular issue is getting worse and needs to be dealt with in a proper way.
Reference:
England Kennedy, Elizabeth. The Journal of Popular Culture, Vol. 41, No. 1, 2008 Pg. 91-117
Media Representations of Attention Deficit Disorder: Portrayals of Cultural Skepticism in Popular Media Retrieved March 5, 2008. http://journals.ohiolink.edu/ejc/pdf.cgi/ENGLANDKENNEDY_ELIZABETH.pdf?is sn=00223840&issue=v41i0001&article=91_mroaddocsipm
posted by AMY @ 7:36 AM
10 Comments
10 Comments:
Amy,
I think you did a good job on capturing the subject on your analysis. I read through the article, but I didn't see in your analysis how it itself appeals to the reader. I think that it was easy to read, what were your thoughts on that and also what audiences do you think it appeals to? Overall, the subject matter is very important and is very controversial today. It was interesting to see how television has characters who have the disorder and I liked how it was incorporated in you analysis.
I like your analysis. Although, I know some people with ADD and the medication does help them to focus. I have seen these people on medication and without and there is a big difference in their ability to learn. I really like your pick of this topic as I see it as a controversial one. Many people have different thoughts and feelings and the diagnosis and treatment of ADD.
I like your article analysis. I have a child with ADD and one ADHD. I can tell you first hand the medicene really works. My child was struggleing in school he could not stay focused. We put him on Adaral and he is now a straight A student. I know it is controversial but it works and it is helping my child get a better education. I like the choice of your article.
I was very interested in the article you chose because I was recently diagnosed with adult ADD. Many people think only children are affected, but that is not true. I agree that a lot of kids are being diagnosed too quickly and that parents should definately do research themselves. I think it may be overexposed on television and other media, and that is affecting some people's judgement. I also think it is a good thing because it gets information out there for people who actualy have the problem. There are many mixed opinions. Overall, I think you did a great job!
You have a very good analysis. A couple of years ago I didn’t even know what ADD was. The speech therapist that is working with my daughter told me she believed that my daughter had Attention Deficit Disorder. I was scared to death because I had no idea what the disorder was. I have done research on the disorder and I realize that in some cases the doctors give the children medication. I refuse to take my daughter to the doctor because I feel that if she is borderline ADD then maybe something can be done to prevent her from taking medication. You had some great points in your analysis. I never thought about the fact that movies and televisions shows don’t stimulate the brain waves enough. I agree that most of the movies today are for entertainment purposes. Very good job on the analysis.
I think you did a really good job analyzing the article as well as giving your thoughts. ADD is such a huge issue nowadays and I agree that taking the very first doctor's word that your child has ADD probably isn't the best thing you could do. I think a 2nd and
3rd opionion as well as seeing a therapist would be some other possible ways to find out if your child actually suffers from this disorder. People have so many thoughts regarding ADD and I think you captured the article as well as not being biased.
I think you did an excellent job on your analysis. You didn't put too much of the article to it, you put more of your own thoughts about the dissorder into your analysis. ADD is a very common illness that many doctors will diagnose kids with who cannot focus in class, some people believe in ADD but a lot of people don't believe in it. I think the only reason there is a difference of opinion is becuase everyone has different experiences, as the same with every illness, and for some people the medication works and for others it doesn't. But I don't think that means that ADD is a hoax. I liked the topic you choose because everyone has a different opinon about ADD. Very well done!!
I think the article you chose was really informational. I never really knew much about ADD and up until recently, I never knew anyone with tis disorder. I now am working with a man that claims to have ADD and I'm not sure he takes his medication because I'm never really sure what is going on with him. He tends to be all over the place most of the time and my co-workers that have been around him longer than I have say they can tell the difference when he doesn't take his medication. So I agree with you and also think that parents should be careful accepting the diagnosis that they get from their doctor about their child. On the other hand once a thorough evaluation has been completed then medication might really be necessary.
You did a good job on your analysis. I think that you captures your meanig fully. I have seen many people on medication that when taken off there was not change or things seemed better.
Children and adults that are affected by this work to do the best that they can and I think that it great.
Amy,
Nice job on analyzing your article, although a little more of an analysis of the article would have been better but this is a topic that has a lot of information and it is a contraversial one at that. You did a great job informing us on the topic. I have bumped into several people (not even related to me) that think my son should be on medication because they think he has ADD. It's interesting that they say that not even knowing anything from our personal life. He has an extreme amount of energy and exhausts me but when he goes to pre-school is able to complete assignments and controls his energy. He is only three and if he were older and unable to concentrate in school I would probably get a few opinions from the doctors but for now he is just fine.
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