RA #3

Julio Aguilera

November 11, 2010

Professor Andrews

                                                              

                  Love-line segments on the radio corrupting today’s youth

Are the love line segments of a radio station corrupting or educating

today’s youth? In some radio stations there are segments in which the radio

station takes anonymous phone calls and talk about their personal love life

concerning sex and other topics, that may be considered or intended for and

adult audience. Some of the topics are obviously inappropriate for kids to listen

to, although the segments are aired typically from 10-12pm its within reach of the

wrong ears. This rises a question if shows like these educate or corrupt the

youth.

Conducting the survey allowed me to get to know the youth of today a little

better.  After obtaining enough information from a different variety of ages I can

now compare and contrast my results to find out what is goes through the mind

of the youth. This survey helped me determine what exactly is going through the

mind of my audience while listening to these type of radio talk shows. And

actually most of the listeners are entertained by the stories some callers have. I

learned that many listeners can in some way relate to some calls and like to

obtain information about their concerns, regarding their personal life. This study

helped me observe the issue from different points of view, from the youngest

listeners to young adults, and even the parental perspective. My audience was

very well spread as I asked my 18 year old sister to ask 20 of her peers to take a

quick 4 question survey, and I also asked 20 peers myself to answer the same 4

questions obtaining equally accurate information in various age groups. The

following survey with printed results will provide accurate information from 2

different college campus across California. Followed by the overall reaction on

the results along with 2 parental perspectives on the talk radio segment.

           

           

           

                                                                                   

                          Are the Love-line segments of a radio station

                            corrupting or educating today’s youth?

1.              Identify age group

A.  under 18- 4

              B.  under 20-22

C.   under 21-7

D.   over 21- 7

2.             Do you listen to Love-line?

A.    YES -26

B.    NO -14

3.            Reason why you listen to Love-line?

A.    Funny  12

B.    Educational  6

C.    Interesting  8

D.    Not-applicable  14

4.            Do you think Love-line is corrupting or educating today’s youth?

A.    corrupts  24

B.    educates  10

C.    Not-applicable  6

                                              Survey collected information from

20 Notre Dame de Namur University students- Belmont, CA

20 Rio Hondo College students- Whittier, CA

            After receiving my feedback I encountered the truth from a small group of

college students of various age groups and very different locations.  I discovered

that the majority f the audience finds the show funny, that being the primary

reason of interest. Followed by the interesting topics and conversations, and

lastly the 3^rd group said the educational level was the reason why they listen to

love-line. The majority of my audience, believe that although the show can be

funny, educational, and interesting it corrupts today’s youth.

            The parental view was somewhat different than that of the younger group,

the parents have heard of such show on radio stations, although they don’t thinks

its very comical, they do think its interesting with very little educational purposes.

They think no one under the age of 18 should be allowed to listen to this type of

show, the language used is very explicit. One parent thought that non adult

listeners can be tempted to try to attempt something talked on the show out of

curiosity. Another parent thought the hours of 10-12 pm are too early for the

show to be aired, and perhaps after midnight would be a better time for adult

listeners.

            Overall I agree with both the students and the parents, in saying yes, the

show is funny, somewhat interesting and educational, but its within the reach of

the wrong ears, and perhaps being aired at a later time would benefit all. I think

this show is intended for the young adult seeking a half hour of simple fun with no

intentions to get anything out of it, but entertainment.  I would encourage

listeners 18 and under to avoid such shows, until the mind is more developed

and can take a more adult like conversation.