http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/health/22brod.html
Can someone really be addicted to tanning? Or are they more addicted to the way they look with a tan? Most people these days are familiar with the show "Jersey Shore" and how they might seem to be addicted to tanning. Do you think that shows like these have made tanning more popular than it was before? New Jersey recently passed a law that required all people to be 18 to use a tanning salon. Do you think this will really prevent tanning addictions or reduce the amount of tanning done by minors?
Most people know that excessive tanning can lead to skin cancer, whether they are using a tanning bed or doing it naturally with the sun. Do you think that these harmful consequences effect peoples views on tanning? And do these consequences really discourage people from tanning or being addicted to tanning?
Having an addiction to tanning seems pretty unrealistic to me. I feel like a person would be more "addicted" to the way they looked after tanning but not actually tanning. But after reading the article my opinion changed a little bit, I am not saying that I think tanning is an addiction but I not ruling it out either. With passing a law saying you have to be 18 I think will decrease the amount of tanning done by minors, because it isn't like with alcohol where you can find someone who is 21 to get it for you. Also with knowing the consequences to tanning I don't think will change anyones view on tanning. It is similar to smoking cigarettes and lung cancer. Some people might decrease their amount of tanning but if they are really "addicted" to it the consequences wont matter.
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that a person can be addicted to tanning although I do find it quite interesting. I feel this goes in hand with wanting the perfect body. This could go with exercise and eating disorders I think the show Jersey Shore definitely advertise tanning to a lot of the younger adults because they probably think it is cool to "GTL". I think it is a good law for tanning to be for 18 year old because most minors are not sure what they are actually doing to their bodies when they go into the tanning beds.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting topic as people love tanning, and you could see many people lying on oval on sunny days. But I don't think people can actually be addicted to tanning. They might just love the way they look after tanning, which is more healthy and energetic, or they might just simply enjoy the feel under a nice warm sunshine. When it comes to tanning salon, however, I personally think it is not necessary. You really don't need to spend much money on tanning since you can easily get it under the sun. If skin cancer is what you care about, well that 's what sun lotion is for, isn't it? Children under 18 should have a normal healthy life, I don't think they actually need to go to tanning salon. Even if they go to, I think they just want to try something new. But making a law to this? Too serious. Besides, it actually makes teenagers wonder what is so difference and interesting in tanning salon? It might lead them want to go try it just like the law of not able to buy alcohol under 21, many people go buy beers as soon as they turn 21.
ReplyDeleteThis is a very relevant topic seeing as I just walked through the oval and probably more than 50 or so people, moth men and women alike, are tanning right now. It seems pretty improbable that people develop an addiction to the act of tanning but it seems to be more geared towards their appearance in society. When relating it to jersey shore it made it seem more like the people were trying to reach a level of social acceptance since it is such a largely watched show. I believe that something that detrimental to one’s health should have an age limit law passed. I don’t believe that tanning adds an appeal to a male or female, nor did people feel the same way in 1700’s and up for a while. In fact paleness was often a sign or royalty or higher power. Like it was said earlier this could easily be grouped with the addictions that are related to wanting that beauty that is advertised everywhere.
ReplyDeleteI do think that tanning can become an addiction due to the fact that some people want to tan all the time which like stated in the article can become dangerous to one's body. I do think that society is putting more pressure on going tanning with the Jersey Shore cast members using acronyms such as GTL, gym, tan, laundry, there is no work or school or other responsibilities in that acronym but tanning makes the list where do their priorities lie and what is this saying to the teens and young adults that watch the show. I do think that the age limit put on tanning is in a positive direction for limiting tanning some what but not a lot because most parent most likely know that their children are tanning so they will give consent but what this does bring up is why they had to make a limit if it is not a problem? From my own experience growing up with my grandparents and aunt having skin cancer I feel that I am well informed due to the different procedures and lectures I have heard about due to the risk to me personally. However, I do not think that most people are informed because who wants to worry about cancer when you are just starting life but the facts are out there for people to find. I don't think it discourages people because teens and young adults, and even some adults think that they are invincibly and skin cancer will never happen to them.
ReplyDeleteI think that people can definitely be addicted to tanning, although it is hard to say if they are actually addicted to tanning or the image of themselves with a tan. I think that shows like Jersey Shore have made tanning more popular because of their influence as a media source. Even though society knows that tanning can lead to skin cancer, we won't stop doing it. We always seem to have the mentality that it won't happen to me. Additionally, I believe the new law will have the opposite effect. People will continue to find ways to use a tanning bed even if they are underaged.
ReplyDeleteI believe someone can be addicted to tanning. It may appear that they are addicted to how they look after going tanning, but that would mean everyone who tans is addicted. But UV rays are healthy to an extent, but an addict normally takes that good something and abuses it until it is unhealthy. However, this case is different because I think the true addicts come away from tanning feeling in a better mood almost, which creates the addiction. The addict gets the rush after tanning like an exercise addict receives after going for a jog. These addicts do know the side effects, but continue anyways. I also think that society has a great effect on this idea too. Society made being tan the new pale by having models and even celebrities tan. Yes this greatly affects the youth, which I think is helped by putting and age on when someone can tan with the need of a parent or guardian's permission.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that people can be addicted to tanning. Idefinitely think that the obsession with tanning can stem from an issue with someone's self- image just like a compulsion to exercise. People strive to feel good about themselves and if tanning makes them feel good, they should be able to go for it. There are concens with tanning as there are with everything, but as long as people are aware of them,they should make their own decisions.
ReplyDeleteTanning is another form of addiction that is growing in popularity with the advance of technology and media. The constant pressure by society to have a specific image adds to the appeal of tanning. I think that a more appropriate question for this topic would be if it is the physical appeal of tanning or how people respond to those tan vs. those who aren't. I firmly believe that if society believed it was better to be pale, more people would be pale. The stimulus in this case public response. Thus, the addiction is to how society reacts to a specific image.
ReplyDeleteDo you guys think people are addicted to tanning or how they look after they tan? If it is after they tan could exercise addiction like we talked about last week in class and tanning addiction be grouped together into a more broad category? Give your thoughts.
DeleteI think the idea of being addicted to the actual act of tanning is not very probable. I think a person who excessively tans does it more because of an image problem rather then being addicted to tanning itself. Especially when you look at the example of the cast of Jersey Shore. They are are always going to the gym, making sure their outfits for the night are perfect, their hair is just right, and some have even gone as far as to get plastic surgery. Tanning is simply one part of the whole image the cast members strive so hard to maintain. That being said, I feel that one could possibly be addicted to trying to keep a perfect body image or appearance.
ReplyDeleteI think that people are not addicted to tanning but how they look they are addicted to their image like they was addicted to the way how they look to " Addicted to Exercise". People just start to be addicted to make their body perfect where they don't need to so they start to pass the limit of the action that they do. Hollywood stars are more addicted to this kind of things because they want to have a perfect body and outfit.
ReplyDeleteI agree that CURRENTLY, tanning is not an addiction but i must argue that the term addiction is added onto any activity used by an enormous amount of people AND is socially unacceptable. As of today, tanning is done by many people but is considered okay by society which is why it isn't considered an addiction but when the day comes that tanning is looked down at, it will become an addiction.
ReplyDeleteWhat's most interesting to me is this line between obsession and addiction. It makes me wonder when is the line crossed. I definitely agree it can become an addiction but how it effects people doesn't necessarily cause a public out cry like drug addiction can. Shows like jersey shore definitely boost tanning's popularity. This makes people take caution to the wind and not care about the effects of it. I find the tanning mom's story interesting as well. She was dark to the point of almost being biracial. It was sickly, and that is the only story that I have seen become a public out lash. I think it would be interesting to bring this topic out in class.
ReplyDeleteI don't think one can be addicted to tanning. It's not really a physical dependency. I do think it is a very dangerous obsession though. I don't think shows have influence on most older teens. We make our own decisions and are less influenced than the younger crowd, I believe.
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