Risky Business - HPE Assignment
Jess Davey - 8 Rubio
PART A - Media Analysis
Where did you see/hear the advertisement (Paper, Magazine, Radio, TV)? Who is the spokesperson for this advertisement?
I heard it on Channel 7 News at 6 on the 6th of October. This article is on the same story but on ABC News. It doesn't say who the spokesperson is.
What type of risk taking behaviour does the advertisement aim to address?
The risk taking behaviour that the advertisement aims to address is hosting big parties and advertising it on Facebook, where anyone can invite anyone and gatecrashers are almost positive to arrive.
What things did the Advertisement have to try to catch your attention i.e. Disturbing pictures, sad music, catchy songs/music?
It showed images of the aftermath, the amount of cars damaged, the backyard of the house where the party was, the amount of alcohol drunk, and videos and images of the party in full swing.
After seeing/hearing the advertisement, how did you feel and would it make you think about these risks if faced with this situation?
I have never thought of going to a party that has been posted on Facebook, as it is bound to have adrenaline junkies that are looking for trouble and alcoholic nuisances. The amount of risks that can happen is too many to count. Those adrenaline seekers will afterwards go looking for something to thrill them, like train-surfing and hooning.
Why do you think this is a good or bad way to try to raise these issues with young people?
Hopefully, when adolescents see the damage that can potentially happen when these issues are raised, they will think twice on doing it. Seeing the consequences that the party brought forward, it will take a while for it to happen again.
PART B - Scenario Response
SCENARIO 1 (relating to Part A)
Johnny goes to a party with friends. Once he arrives his mates offer him some alcohol. Johnny really wants to impress his mates but he just had a talk with his Mum and Dad about doing the right thing and standing up to peer pressure. They tell him that they trust him and are very proud of how great he is doing at school.
He really doesn’t want to let his parents down but he doesn’t want his mates to think he is a chicken either. He tells his mates that he really shouldn’t because his mum is picking him up but his mate Joey says “My mum can take you, she is really cool and doesn’t care if we drink” What should he do?
My Response is:
If my friends wanted me to drink some alcohol at the party, I would say no. I would add that I had a talk with my parents about being responsible. If they keep pushing me to drink some, I would start to say some of the terrible consequences of drinking. If they keep pushing me, then they obviously aren't good friends if they don't understand. I would call mum and ask to pick her up from the party, as I my conscience would be telling me that something will happen. The party would go out of control and the police could get involved, injuries could be in place or even death.
Before the party begins, I would even maybe take my own drinks. I would have to keep a close eye on them though, just in case they get spiked and lead to other bad outcome. Many things happen after you consume a spiked drink. effects of spiking include vomiting, loss of consciousness, poor coordination and balance, slurred speech, muscle spasms, respiratory difficulties and in cases where a drug like GHB is mixed with alcohol, you could die.
I would see if I didn’t know, before I go to the party, if the party was advertised on Facebook. If it has been, I would probably say I am too sick to attend. I know that that is lying, but it’s the decision that could determine life or death. If you say something like ‘I’m too tired to party’ your friend will probably try to persuade you and say ‘just have something to drink and dance and you won’t feel tired’ or will come to your house and tell you to your face that you’re going. If it is a private party, with only people that you know, either from school or work, and it hasn’t been advertised on Facebook or other social media, it’s probably safer to go, people may still push you to drink, but if you know majority of the people at the party, you can go to another group of friends that you trust won’t push you into peer pressure. If you trust the host(ess), that it’s just a small party and they will keep things in control, with security guards etc, and it hasn’t been posted on social media, you should be fine. If you don’t know the host(ess) or have heard bad things about their parties, don’t go.
SCENARIO 3
Laura is a popular Year 9 student and has lots of friends. She lives down the coast and catches a bus mainly with people from an adjoining school. One of the girls on her bus gets picked on all the time by a group of 3 Year 9 girls from the other school. Laura knows her name is Holly and she thinks that Holly is in year 8 at her school. Laura has heard the horrible things these girls say to Holly and feels sorry for her but doesn’t want to say anything to them in case they pick on her. Often Laura sees that Holly cries when she gets off the Bus and recently Holly has been skipping school to avoid them. Laura wants to help but she doesn’t know how. What can she do?
My Response is:
I would tell the bus driver first, seeing that he/she probably has witnessed this as well. If it is a nuisance to other students, and not just me, they can join me to help stop them. I probably wouldn’t confront them because I am not sure of what they are capable of, or if they will start attacking me too. But I definitely do something about it because the bullies are being absolutely horrible to Holly, making her miss school. I have been bullied in the past but if she is missing school then it must be absolutely horrible things that they say to her. I know that I would never confront my bully myself, as I am scared of them. Holly wouldn’t be doing anything about it either because she is afraid of them as well. Who knows what they have and what they are capable of doing?
If the bus driver say that there is nothing they can do, I would ask my homeroom teacher, then he/she can tell Holly’s homeroom teacher so then he/she can talk to Holly about it, and see if she feels comfortable talking about it. I would also notify the adjoining school where the three girls go. If they continue doing it, and if Holly keeps missing school because of it, I would again tell the teachers (and maybe even the principals) so it must be stopped!
I would ask Holly if she would like to come sit with me on the bus. If she says no, don’t go up to her. She probably just wants some space (I know because that is what I’ve done before) and doesn’t want to talk to anyone. I would maybe wait a bit and see if she changes her mind. If she comes next to me and the bullies start teasing her again, I would say stop! I would tell Holly to disregard what they are saying as they have no reason to bully her, and that whatever they say is just so they feel more superior about themselves. They are probably just jealous of her. If you have her trust, ask her if they bully her via social media and texting as well. If she says yes, I would notify her that this is an offence and can be taken to the police. If the police get involved, the parents of the girls would find out that their daughters are bullying someone and they will have their consequences. Now Holly’s parents, the police, the school principals and homeroom teachers know about the bullying, so now they can handle it before it gets too extreme like suicide.