Group 6: Question 4

1. Cultural Context within which the text was produced
With technology advancing, teenagers are finding ways to experiment sexually by using their cameras and texting on their cell phones. Messages are produced to inform values like responsibility and alertness. Culturally, it is quickly becoming taboo for young people; however sexual expression should not be disregarded.

2) Standpoint(s) of author/publishing company
The author of this piece, Martha Irvine, takes notice that sexting is a new and relevant topic in today's technological counter-culture. As a journalist for Associated Press, her standpoint towards this debate should remain bias and non-bia, right? Actually, Irvine questions the felony charges being put forth on young students associated with sexting. Her "boys will be boys" approach is cleary identified near the end of the article.

Source- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29017808/


3) Cultural Context within which the text is being read.
Communication is changing with technology. Our ways of sexually expressing ourselves has changed with technology. At the forefront of this change comes sexting. In the article, Irvine clearly shows a controversy between young students and adults. This clearly continues to be debated along the home front, school system, and through the internet. Today, virtually everyone with a cell phone has written or received a text. If texting continues as a useful tool of communicating, audiences must be informed of its sexual counterpart.


4) Standpoints of Readers and Audiences
Many sociology factors play a role in the sexting debate. There are many sides to the debate that audiences cling to. These young generations, who partake, see sexting as sexual freedom and expression. Debby Herbenick, PhD, MPH, research scientist and associate director of The Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana State University explains, “Communicating about sexuality or one's desire or fantasies can absolutely be a form of sexual expression, whether it's done in person, on the phone, via e-mail, or via texting or so-called sexting.” People, who might have not grown up with this much technological freedom, become stumbled to react to this new endemic. Parents, school officials, conservatives, and older generations don’t see the same viewpoint compared to a group of students and liberals. Because of this Wild West like atmosphere, unfair rules are set by higher authorities to set examples, and this becomes a debate. For instance, in Greensburg, Pa., three high school girls who sent seminude photos and four male students who received them were all hit with child pornography charges.



Sources
(2009, February 05). Porn charges for 'sexting' stir debate. Retrieved from http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/top-news/index.cfm?i=57152

Zerbe, L. (2009, April 22). New survey: sexting happens among pre-teens, too. Retrieved from http://www.rodale.com/kids-and-sexting