"Itsy bitsy teeny weeny..."

Here is the intro to my paper and the first supporting paragraph. The original will be italicized.

What was once a long- sleeved suit is now an “itsy, bitsy, teeny, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini.” Promiscuity used to offer a life of shame and now it offers a phone call, or even a raise. The media, in an attempt to sell their products for a “better life,” have also sold the ideals that modesty is out and free will is in. With the TV echoing self- service, and the stereo blaring words of sex, money and power, the tradition of the search for oneself becomes more disillusioned and selfish. Pop culture is threatening the tradition of modesty in speech and apparel to ensure productivity. The dissolving traditions of modesty have in turn pulled this young generation into a downward spiral of addiction, impulsive behavior, and ultimately despair.

Modesty in speech was once a valued trait to beheld in society and has since been made exactly that, a quality of the past. In other words, self service is the new selfless. Modesty in speech is humble, conscious of its surrounding, and reserved. But with the power and resources of the media, the word “I” is now not only satisfying but it looks satisfying to the audience. “iTunes, iPod, iHome,”, these kinds of advertisements are not only selling their product, but they are also promoting the attitude of iWant and iWantMore. The goal is no longer appreciative and humble but instant satisfaction.

What was once a long-sleeved suit is now an “itsy, bitsy, teeny, weenie, yellow, polka dot bikini.” Promiscuity used to offer a life of shame and now it offers a phone call, or even a raise. Many clothing companies, in an attempt to sell their products for a “more exciting life”, use the media to sell their ideals that “modesty is out and self expression is in”. With the TV echoing “self service” and the stereo blaring words of “sex, money and power,” one’s traditions or culture becomes more disillusioned. One cannot underestimate the power that films, music and popular fashion guides are threatening the tradition of modesty in speech and apparel.

Modesty in speech was once a valued trait to behold in society and has since been made exactly that, a quality of the past. Modesty in speech means being conscious of one’s surroundings and being humble. In old fashioned speech, words like “sex” and “awful” were discouraged in common conversation. Phrases like “shut up” and “oh my God” were never neither spoken in homes nor on the television. But like many practices of the past, modest speech has evolved into a less limiting freedom of speech.

This is the outro to my paper. The original will be italicized.

The switch view of the media’s messages could be explained as encouraging. The freedom of expression is liberating for many who feel trapped by the expectations set by society, friends and family. It is social service in the sense that it is also showing the freedom behind living life as freely as it comes. But when the only benefits of living life selfishly are regrets, pain, and suffering, one should wonder if this is a tradition that has slipped too far into the past. Modesty in speech and apparel is being challenged by the films, shows, music, and advertisements of this generation. Since the increase of sexual and egocentric messages, the world has seen the increase of broken homes, broken self- esteem, and suicide. Profit over people is inevitable in the business world, and now it is becoming true in everyone. Modesty is a tradition we need.

The ‘switch view’ of the media’s messages might also be explained as encouraging. The freedom of expression is liberating for many who feel trapped by the expectations set by society, culture and family traditions. It is social service in the sense that it is also showing the freedom behind living life as freely as it comes. However, linked with the decrease in modesty, is a gross increase of dissatisfaction, drug and alcohol abuse, domestic violence and ever increasing divorce rates.

Modesty in speech and apparel is being challenged by the films, shows, music, and advertisements of this generation. Pop culture is progressing it’s release of lyrics that promote impulsive sexual behavior, videos that promote revealing clothing, and advertisements selling false “improvements for life.” These images of a conceited lifestyle are deliberately going against the tradition and values of modesty. Modesty doesn’t have to be a practice of the past; it is a tradition worth preserving.