Trends in American Popular Culture

Trends in American Popular Culture

Diane Porter

AGUC1108M

University of Phoenix, Augusta Campus

SOC105: Introduction to Popular American Culture

Chester M. Willis

June 24, 2009

American popular culture is constantly changing because of the increase in technology and the impact of the media on our culture. Trends vary with the communication processes and our perceptions of the communications received.

Sports bars are part of a social popular culture which has developed substantially over the past 9 years. This is a popular cultural trend that became extremely popular through the television media in 1982 (Rosenberg, 2009). The television show “Cheers” became popular, however, before the show aired community bars where people could eat, drink and socialize were popular but as the show became famous, these establishments known as sports bars began to grow all over the country under different names.

Sports bars have become a large part of the communities where people congregate to become familiar with each other socially after work, and on weekends. This is a popular culture trend initiated by the media. The sports bar is used by both the elite and the popular culture.

The political trend in American popular culture has become diverse with the election of State representatives and senators from all ethnic groups. Over the last 15 to 20 years American politics has changed to reflect diversity which also includes women. The most recent election of Speaker of the House Pelosi and the nomination of Supreme Court Justice Sotomayer reflect the trend toward women in American politics. This trend is an example of how the dynamics of our political and judicial popular culture have evolved through the media and other experiences.

The media has had a profound impact on popular culture enabling women in filmmaking to diminish the negativity in certain cultures (Cole, 2008).The Lifetime television channel...