essay on pop culture

Essay on Pop Culture

Students are often asked to write an essay on Pop Culture in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Pop Culture

What is pop culture.

Pop culture means popular culture. It’s made up of ideas, images, attitudes, and creative works that are well-liked by many people. Pop culture includes music, movies, fashion, and slang. It’s what we see on TV, hear on the radio, and talk about with friends.

The Role of Media

Media, like television and the internet, plays a big role in spreading pop culture. They show us new trends and famous people. Social media platforms help us share and talk about pop culture with friends and even strangers.

Changes in Pop Culture

Pop culture is always changing. What was cool yesterday might not be cool today. New artists, technology, and ideas come in and change what we like and do. Pop culture keeps evolving with the times.

Impact on Society

Pop culture can influence how we dress, what we listen to, and how we act. Sometimes it can even shape our beliefs and opinions. It’s powerful because it reaches so many people and can bring them together.

Pop culture is a big part of our lives. It’s fun, always changing, and helps us connect with others. Understanding pop culture can help us understand the world around us better.

250 Words Essay on Pop Culture

Pop culture is the collection of ideas, images, and attitudes that are known by the mainstream of a society at a given time. It includes music, movies, fashion, technology, and slang. Pop culture is often seen as fun, easy to understand, and enjoyed by many people.

Music and Movies

In pop culture, music and movies are very important. Popular songs and films spread quickly and can be known by people all over the world. Artists like Taylor Swift or movies like “Avengers” are part of pop culture because they are widely recognized and shared.

Fashion and Technology

What we wear and the gadgets we use are also parts of pop culture. When a certain style of clothing or a new phone becomes popular, it becomes a trend. Many people follow these trends, which makes them a big part of pop culture.

Social Media’s Role

Social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok help spread pop culture. They let people share pictures, videos, and thoughts quickly. This helps new trends and ideas become popular very fast.

Why Pop Culture Matters

Pop culture is important because it brings people together. It gives them something to talk about and enjoy with each other. It can also show what a society thinks is important at a certain time. Pop culture is like a mirror that reflects what people in a society like and think about.

500 Words Essay on Pop Culture

Pop culture is short for popular culture. It includes all the ideas, images, trends, and objects that are liked by many people. Think about the music you hear on the radio, the shows you watch on TV, the latest fashion trends, or the newest viral video everyone shares. These are all examples of pop culture. It is a mirror that shows what a lot of people are interested in at a certain time.

Music and movies are huge parts of pop culture. They can bring people together and make them feel all sorts of emotions. When a song becomes a hit, it’s because lots of people enjoy listening to it and it often gets stuck in their heads. Movies that are popular can make people laugh, cry, or sit on the edge of their seats. Sometimes, the characters from these movies become so loved that they appear on T-shirts, lunchboxes, and all sorts of things.

Fashion and Style

What we wear is also a big piece of pop culture. The clothes that are in style change all the time. One day, everyone might be wearing bright colors, and the next, it could be all about black and white. Fashion is not just about clothes, though. It’s also about hairstyles, shoes, and even the kind of backpacks kids carry to school. When a famous person wears something new or different, often many people want to wear the same thing.

Technology and Social Media

Technology, like smartphones and tablets, has become a part of everyone’s life. It changes how we talk to our friends, how we play games, and how we learn new things. Social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are where a lot of pop culture spreads. These are places where people can share pictures, videos, and ideas with others, and where new trends often start.

Sports and Games

Sports stars and the games people play are also important in pop culture. When a sports team wins a big game, they can become heroes to many people. Video games are just as important. Some games become so popular that millions of people play them. They can even be a way for people to make new friends and learn about teamwork.

Pop culture is important because it brings people together. It gives them something to talk about and share with each other. It can also show what a society values and what it finds interesting or funny. Sometimes, pop culture can even lead to important changes in society by discussing big ideas and problems in a way that is easy for many people to understand.

In conclusion, pop culture is all around us. It’s in the music we listen to, the movies we watch, the clothes we wear, and the games we play. It helps shape who we are and how we see the world. Pop culture is like a big conversation that everyone is a part of, and it helps us connect with each other in fun and meaningful ways.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Free Pop Culture Essay Examples & Topics

Popular culture essays are becoming an increasingly prevailing task for students from different majors. Yet, if you want to write an indeed great paper, you should first figure out how to define the phenomenon.

Popular culture is the set of trends that predominates at the current time. It is determined by several aspects, including clothing style, language use (slang, traditional greetings, etc.), food choices, and social media use.

The role of pop culture in the modern world cannot be underestimated. First and foremost, it helps teenagers find themselves in the social context. Secondly, popular culture sets the acceptable norms of behavior. This way, people clearly understand how to act in society to fit in. Finally, pop culture enhances the connection between the community members.

Our team has prepared tips for writing popular culture essays. They will help you to deal with any topic in this area. Besides, we have some excellent ideas for your paper or practice. Under the article, you will find pop culture essay examples written by fellow students.

Popular Culture Essay Tips

If you’re interested in how to write a pop culture essay, this section is for you. Here, we have collected some essential pieces of advice that will assist in composing your paper.

Try the following pop culture writing tips:

• Check some samples or opinions.

Are you familiar with that feeling when you have a blank Word document in front of you and zero ideas of what to write about? Other essays can help you! Read some samples on this subject and get inspired to compose your paper. Besides, checking examples can assist you in figuring out the structure and argumentation.

• Pick a topic or come up with your own.

Getting an idea for your essay is the first step of preparation. Try to stay creative and reasonable while choosing a topic. Make sure that it is neither too narrow nor too broad. Also, check if you have enough information to develop solid arguments and support your claims.

• Research the idea or celebrity of your choice.

This step provides a ground for the entire paper. Ensure that you get only credible information and use reliable sources. Think critically and evaluate every source you use.

• Formulate and embrace your position.

Clearly formulate your thesis statement . It will be your position and key message. Keep in mind that all people have different points of view. So, be ready to defend your position. Present strong arguments, valid supportive details, and appropriate examples.

• Think of a bigger picture.

Try to understand how your research topic can be integrated with the real world. What practical applications will your paper have? How to put your essay idea in a real-life context? The answers can give you the right direction for your essay writing process.

• Decide on how to start your paper.

The hook of your pop culture essay should be dynamic. Think about the most creative ways to grab the readers’ attention. Make them desire to read your paper till the very end. These are some ideas: a memorable quote, a personal story, an anecdote, shocking statistics, or anything that you find engaging and catchy.

• Outline and write your essay.

Make a clear outline that would include an introduction (with a thesis statement), body paragraphs, and conclusion. Present your ideas in a logical order and have valid evidence for each of your arguments. Then write a coherent and well-structured pop culture essay. And don’t forget to proofread the completed assignment before submitting it!

13 Pop Culture Essay Topics

Now, as we have discovered the theoretical part, let’s move to practice! In the list below, you will find 13 popular culture essay topics. Use one of them to write your original work. If these ideas are not enough for you, you can use our title generator .

Here are some topics for you to look through:

• Media and pop culture: how does the image of a perfect life in social media influence teenagers’ emotional state?
• Do pop culture’s positive effects on youth outweigh the negative ones?
• The impact of pop culture on society.
• How does pop culture influence the development of teenagers’ identities?
• In what ways can pop culture be in conflict with religion?
• The worldwide spreading of American pop culture as the key cause of globalization.
• Can Madonna be considered an idol?
• How does pop culture form the ethical norms of communication?
• In what ways does pop culture support feminism?
• The issue of gender equality from the perspective of pop culture.
• Cultural studies: the perception of art and music in various countries.
• How can cultural references evoke memories from the past?
• Does pop culture accept or reject homosexuality in society?

Thank you for your attention! You can now move to the pop culture writing examples below. And to read them faster, use the summarizing tool .

73 Best Essay Examples on Pop Culture

How do celebrities influence society celebrity culture positive effects.

• Words: 1734

Celebrity Culture and Its Influence on Society

Emojis role in the modern world.

• Words: 1669

Science and Scientists in Media Representation

• Words: 1714

Billboard as an Element of the Popular Culture

• Words: 3498

Precis on the “Superhero Smackdown” by Douglas Wolk

Spider-man character’s popularity and influences, disney and its impact on popular culture and society, marvel vs. dc characters debate, harry potter stories and impact on pop culture, popular culture resistance: causes and goals.

• Words: 1129

Popular Culture and Art Definition, Brief History and New Opportunities

• Words: 1168

“The Culture of Celebrity” by Epstein Joseph

• Words: 1272

Successful Afro-Latinos From the Dominican Republic

• Words: 1110

“Barbie: Queen of Dolls and Consumerism” by Amy Lin

Modern korean body concept in “200 pounds beauty”, hello kitty as a kitsch and anti-feminist phenomenon.

• Words: 1109

Popular or Mass Culture: Mimetic Analysis, Semiotics and Narrative

• Words: 1144

Culture and Representation in Comic Books

• Words: 1371

Superhero Movies in Contemporary Western Culture

Autistic spectrum disorder: the case of sheldon cooper, the “harry potter” movie vs. book comparison, the future of the korean wave study by jin & yoon, reality television phenomenon in american culture, popular culture and williams’ life of the mind, a comparison of ariana grande and ed sheeran, export of popular culture products in asia, the popular media trap of meritocracy.

• Words: 2170

The Influence of Radio on American Culture and Popular Music

Issues mentioned by hans rosling in his videos, global, imperial, and divided city in mirzoeff’s “how to see the world”, “the neighbourhood” sitcom’s implicit message to society, what is popular culture: personal definition, anthropological study of the zombies.

• Words: 1264

BTS’ Map of The Soul: 7

Influence of harry potter and the hunger games, standards of beauty in baywatch.

• Words: 1939

“The Mother’s Daughter” Video Clip Analysis

Cosplay: anime community craftmanship, western pop culture and street fashion of japanese youth.

• Words: 3876

“The Cult of iPod” Book by Leander Kahney

Consumerism and american popular culture, culture: a remix manifesto and adornian concepts, popular culture – ipods advertising and its impact, american pop culture impact on decision-making, “all the young dudes: media, subculture and lifestyle” by osgerby, popular culture in america today: evolution, features, and impact in other parts of the world, trends in america through different lenses: social, political, and religious, hills’ analysis of fun culture.

• Words: 1921

American Studies: Fan Culture Around Pulp Fiction

• Words: 1477

Punk Movement Versus Popular Culture: Background and Development

• Words: 2789

Ecstasy and Rave Culture: Influence on Society

• Words: 2054

“Brazil” by Terry Gilliam and “Love Conquers All” Film

• Words: 2463

Popular Culture Since the 50’s: Drivers for Popular Culture, Music, TV and Literature

• Words: 1454

How Pop Art Reflects the Values and Culture of the U.S.

• Words: 1990

Popular Culture and Contemporary Life. The Matrix

• Words: 1017

Soft Power of South Korean Culture

• Words: 2215

Asian Studies: K-Pop in Japan and in the World

• Words: 1025

Cultural Appropriation Concept in Asian Cultures

Effects of famous people on the culture, pop cultural influence on american youth, viacom mtv and its influence on world culture, an evolutionary window on the worlds of pornography and romance, disney’s representation of couples and families.

• Words: 1377

Korean Popular Culture and Western Influences

Superhero captain america in marvel comics, korean popular culture and national identity, media and popular culture in east and south east asia: kyoung-hwa.

• Words: 1396

Media and Popular Cultural in East and South East Asia

• Words: 1335

Roles and Functions of a Supervisor in Popular Culture

• Words: 2079

High Culture and Low Culture: Disneyland Products

• Words: 1052

A Theoretical Analysis of the Act of Cell Phone Texting While Driving

Popular culture of tv watching in usa and china.

100+ Pop Culture Essay Topics

Table of Contents

Pop Culture Essay Topics: Dive into the Pulse of Modern Society

Pop Culture, short for ‘popular culture’, is a fascinating area of study that delves into the various elements of entertainment, fashion, news, and daily living that are prevalent in a society at a given point in time. The culture we consume, whether it’s the music we listen to, the shows we binge-watch, or the trends we follow, gives insights into our values, our beliefs, and our aspirations. Writing a Pop Culture essay offers a unique opportunity to explore these topics in-depth, offering both a critique and appreciation for the world we live in.

What is a Pop Culture Essay?

A Pop Culture essay is an academic or personal narrative that explores the influence and significance of current trends, events, idols, or practices that are widely accepted and followed by a large group of people. It is a reflection of how society perceives and interacts with these elements, and how they in turn shape societal norms and behaviors. From movies to memes, and from fashion fads to viral challenges, Pop Culture essays can dissect any of these aspects to shed light on its larger implications.

Guide to Choosing a Pop Culture Essay Topic

Selecting the perfect topic for a Pop Culture essay starts with personal interest. Think about what you love, what intrigues you, or what you often discuss with friends:

• Stay Current: Trends change quickly. Your topic should be relevant to the current cultural climate.
• Be Passionate: Choose a topic that excites you. Your enthusiasm will come through in your writing.
• Research: Make sure there’s enough information available to support your argument or perspective.
• Broaden or Narrow Down: Depending on the assignment’s length, ensure your topic is neither too broad nor too narrow.

Riveting Pop Culture Essay Topics Lists

Television and movies.

• The cultural significance of binge-watching
• The rise and impact of superhero movies
• Representation and diversity in modern television

Music and Artists

• The influence of K-pop on global music trends
• Evolution of music festivals and their societal impact
• The role of music in social activism

Fashion and Trends

• Sneaker culture and its rise to prominence
• The lasting impact of fast fashion on the environment
• The evolution of beauty standards through the decades

Digital Age and Social Media

• Memes: A reflection of society or mere entertainment?
• The psychology behind viral challenges
• Social media influencers: A new age of celebrity

Literature and Books

• The young adult genre: A reflection of modern teen struggles
• The re-emergence of poetry in the digital age
• Post-apocalyptic novels and society’s fascination with the end of the world

Sports and Games

• The cultural implications of e-sports
• Sports activism and its role in societal change
• The rise of niche sports in mainstream media

Art and Performance

• The rebirth of street art and its societal messages
• The evolution of performance art in the 21st century
• Drag culture: From niche to mainstream

Food and Lifestyle

• The vegan movement and its cultural implications
• Coffee culture and its global significance
• Travel trends: From luxury vacations to eco-tourism

Global Events and Movements

• Pop culture’s role in promoting environmental awareness
• The significance of global award ceremonies like the Oscars and Grammys
• Celebrity involvement in political and social movements

Streaming and Digital Content

• The impact of streaming platforms on traditional TV
• Podcasts: The new radio or a unique medium?
• Binge-watching culture and its psychological effects

Diverse Representation

• The significance of minority representation in Hollywood
• LGBTQ+ representation in modern television shows
• The rise of international cinema in global box offices

Modern Technology and Its Influence

• The cultural shift from Facebook to TikTok
• Virtual reality: The future of entertainment?
• The societal implications of AI-generated art and music

Evolving Music Genres

• The impact of hip-hop on social justice movements
• The re-emergence of vinyl and analog music
• The cultural resonance of indie music in the digital age

Politics in Pop Culture

• The portrayal of politicians in movies and TV series
• The role of celebrities in political campaigns
• Satire and political commentary in late-night shows

Evolving Beauty and Fashion Standards

• The rise of the body positivity movement
• Influences of global fashion trends on local cultures
• The impact of digital filters on beauty standards

Gaming Culture

• The social dynamics of online multiplayer games
• The cultural impact of mobile gaming
• Video games as a form of interactive storytelling

Contemporary Literature and Reading Habits

• Digital vs. traditional reading: Changing habits and implications
• The allure of dystopian novels in today’s society
• The growth of self-publishing in the literary world

Youth and Adolescence in Pop Culture

• The portrayal of teenagers in contemporary movies
• The cultural significance of coming-of-age stories
• Gen Z’s influence on pop culture trends

The World of Sports and Athletics

• The impact of sports documentaries on fans’ perceptions
• The societal implications of athletes taking political stances
• The commercialization of amateur sports

Online Communities and Subcultures

• The growth and influence of fandoms in shaping media content
• The role of Reddit in shaping pop culture discussions
• Exploring the “Stan” culture and its origins

Pop Culture and Mental Health

• Addressing mental health through TV shows and movies
• The role of music in therapy and mental well-being
• Social media’s impact on self-esteem and body image

Historical Reflections in Pop Culture

• The revival of the ’80s and ’90s trends in fashion and music
• Period dramas and their influence on modern perceptions of history
• The nostalgia factor: Reboots and remakes in the film industry

Contemporary Art and Design

• Streetwear and its roots in urban culture
• The influence of social media on modern art consumption
• Pop art in the 21st century: Evolution or revolution?

Societal Movements and Pop Culture

• The #MeToo movement’s reflection in films and TV shows
• Pop culture’s role in the climate change discussion
• The cultural implications of the Black Lives Matter movement

Digital Phenomena and Trends

• The rise of short video platforms and their influence on attention spans
• The allure of unboxing videos and consumer culture
• The significance of virtual influencers in advertising and media

Celebrity Culture and Influence

• The phenomenon of cancel culture in the digital age
• Celebrities’ role in mental health advocacy
• How influencers are redefining the meaning of celebrity

Music and Its Changing Dynamics

• The resurgence of folk music in mainstream culture
• The blurring lines between genres in modern music
• The cultural impact of music festivals in the virtual era

Modern Interpretations of Classic Tales

• The allure of dark retellings of fairy tales in media
• The influence of Greek mythology in today’s pop culture
• Contemporary adaptations of Shakespearean plays

Fashion, Sustainability, and Trends

• The cultural implications of thrift shopping and upcycling
• The influence of Korean fashion on global style trends
• The growth and significance of sustainable fashion

Emerging Technologies and Entertainment

• The role of augmented reality in art and exhibitions
• The emergence of hologram concerts and performances
• The influence of cryptocurrency and NFTs in the entertainment industry

Social Issues and Popular Narratives

• The portrayal of immigration and cultural identity in movies
• The influence of women empowerment anthems in pop music
• Pop culture’s response to global crises like pandemics and natural disasters

Internet Cultures and Fandoms

• The evolution and impact of fanfiction in literature
• The role of internet memes in political and social commentary
• The cultural significance of niche internet communities

Need Help Crafting Your Pop Culture Essay?

Crafting an essay on Pop Culture requires a keen eye for detail and a finger on the pulse of current trends. If you need assistance, our essay writing service at writeondeadline.com is here to help! Our experienced writers can bring depth, insight, and flair to your essay, ensuring it stands out.

Useful References

• Pop Culture: An Overview – Philosophy Now
• Understanding Popular Culture – John Fiske, Routledge
• Pop Culture and the Power of Media – International Journal of Communication

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How to Write Personal Essays About Pop Culture

"It was mostly through pop culture, through hip-hop, through Dungeons & Dragons and comic books that I acquired much of my vocabulary." -Ta-Nehisi Coates

Write about Pop Culture with Lit Hub and Crime Reads contributing editor Lisa Levy

We all engage with pop culture every day: we check gossip sites, we hit Spotify, we read about a new movie; we play an alphabet soup of games, we scan websites, or watch a YouTube video, or binge a Netflix show. There are as many forms of popular culture are there are ways to write about it.

We start engaging with pop culture as soon as we're able to perceive the world around us. You know when you're a teenager, and you have all these obsessive interests that might seem strange to anyone who doesn't understand the rabbit hole you've gone down (or live in)? Your entire world revolved around a grunge band from the 1990s that only released one album with five good songs, but you listened to those songs on repeat and learned every lyric.

Or you were obsessed with this one character in an animated show about animals that was too odd for adults, but it was just so funny, even now. Or, you followed every move of some boy band from the early 2000s that you can only find on YouTube now (a few rungs below LFO). 

Some of these obsessions follow you into adulthood, or you're discovering them for the first time years later. What do all of these things have in common? They are all obsessively obsessed with pop culture. And while they might seem trivial or silly, they also offer a lot of great insight into who we were as younger people. Or who we are now. Or who we have discovered ourselves to be through some portal into the long-forgotten. 

Why did we love  this  particular thing or moment so much? How did it impact us as young people in forming our own identities? Why did we like it so much at the time? And would others benefit from our intelligent and incisive commentary?

Want a great example?  Read  The Ecstasy of Frank Ocean  by Doreen St. Félix,  MTV News.

What Is a Personal Essay About Pop Culture?

In the Washington Post , Sonny Bunch wrote, "the best writing about popular culture — about music, about movies, about TV shows, about books, about whatever — interrogates the way we think rather than what we think." Indeed, pop culture is an integral part of the development of a person's personality and identity.

And a personal essay about pop culture can be like any other essay you've written. You might have fond memories of watching  The Office  and choose to write about how it worked its way into your life at the time, how it shaped your sense of humor, or the conversations you had at school or work. You can look back on it and recognize a link between how you felt about the show and how you feel about it now. If you enjoyed it back then, you might still enjoy it now, but you might also notice flaws you didn't see at the time. It can be the starting point for a personal essay that takes a second (or third or fourth) look at the pop culture that shaped or changed you.

Want a great example?   Read  The Grace of Keanu Reeves  by Angelica Jade Bastién,  Bright Wall/Dark Room

Writing Your Essay About Pop Culture

Of course, writing about  The Office  is but one of infinite possibilities. Writing your essay about pop culture is about finding the small details that link your past (recent or otherwise) to the present day. How does the fictional character you were obsessed with or the album you cared so much about still inspire you in your life now? Or, how does it show the flaws in the way you might have thought about culture then as now? 

Do you think about the plot of the movie or book you read often? What do you think about the music or song lyrics that impacted your life? How do you think that specific moment shaped who you are today? 

When you write your essay about pop culture, try to focus on specific details that link you to the time; you don't have to try to go for some grandiose idea of how it changed your life, but that is fine if you do. What matters is the emotional connection you make on the page. As the cliche goes, to be genuinely universal, you need to be specific, so write into the details that stand out, are personal, and will be relatable to your reader.

Want a great example?  Read  As Not Seen On TV  by Pete Wells,  The New York Times

We live in an age of democratized criticism: the only thing stopping you from writing about your favorite show or game or app is you.

When you write a personal essay about pop culture, you might be trying to praise or critique the cultural artifact in question. However, to make your piece of writing more impactful, you should focus on how it impacted your life and how it still impacts you in the present day in some way. 

Pop culture connects us and, in many cases, shapes who we become and what we like and molds our worldview and ethos, and it's important to reflect on these moments that shaped us and our identities.

Want a great example?   Read  The Weight of James Arthur Baldwin  by Rachel Kaadzi Ghansah,  BuzzFeed

More Examples:

Read  The Babysitter's Club  by Jesse Barron,  Real Life

Read   The Confessions of R. Kelly  by Chris Heath,  GQ

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100 best popular culture essay topics.

Popular culture essay topics are interesting and exciting to read about. They have mass appeal and most people can relate to them. Pop culture can take different media forms. It can range from comic books to films about superheroes. The list can also include fashion, social media, and slang.

As such, selecting pop culture topics to write about is not easy for some students. Although learners have many ideas to consider, they should think carefully before they start to research and write. Pop culture is often criticized for being superficial and primitive. Some people think it’s from indie groups. But, how justifiable are these beliefs? These are some of the issues that can form the basis of popular culture topics for essays. But, if struggling to choose what to write about, here is a list of popular culture topics to consider.

Argumentative Popular Culture Essay Topics

Most people love reading argumentative essays. However, writing argumentative essays on pop culture topics is not easy. It requires skills and time. Here are some of the topics to consider if you want to write an argumentative essay about pop culture.

• Popular television shows do not portray what society considers important
• Social media does not affect the movies that we watch
• Globalization does not affect the pop culture
• Globalization affects pop culture significantly
• Social media affects movies significantly
• Social ideas and pop culture do not have a connection
• Popular culture is defined by social ideals
• Celebrities influence the buying decisions of most people
• Most people will buy a product that is sold by a celebrity
• The popularity of soap operas will keep rising
• Soap operas are no longer part of the popular culture
• Music connects people and other music topics
• Connecting with people that listen to different music style is not easy
• Music can connect even people that listen to different genres
• The internet does not affect what people enjoy
• The internet affects what people like
• Artists with a low following should watch everything they do and say
• Artists should not worry about younger followers that mimic what they do and say
• Weather channels should be an aspect of popular culture
• Disney princesses affect young girls positively

When writing on any of these pop culture argumentative essay topics, students should be persuasive and provide relevant examples. What’s more, they should be logical in their thinking to convince readers to believe their viewpoints.

Topics about Culture and Science

It’s not easy for some people to think that science and popular culture can merge. However, some topics touch on both science and popular culture. If looking for a pop culture topic that allows you to talk about science, consider these ideas.

• Some scenes in pop culture films are accurate
• Experiments from Frankenstein can be conducted today
• Some experiments from Frankenstein can be conducted in the future
• Pluto should be considered as a planet in the current age
• Evolution is real when viewed from a pop culture’s perspective
• Evolution is a myth when viewed from a pop culture’s perspective
• Discuss the popular existential crises attitudes in the 21st century
• What can humans learn from watching television about neuroscience?
• What parallels can be drawn from Huxley’s Brave New World with the current drug industry?
• How does the Gattaca movie resemble current genetic editing
• Discuss the popular attitudes towards 21st-century space exploration
• Discuss changes in the evolution’s opinion in the popular culture over the centuries
• What are the most common objections to eating meat as popular culture?
• Can popular culture be studied in science professions by academics?
• How has the perception of healthy eating changed?
• How does popular culture portray scientific questions with a link to existential philosophy?
• What is the effect of climate change movies on impact reduction?
• Has the understanding of the solar system and stars been changed by popular science?
• Discuss the popular objections that some people have towards vegetarianism
• Why is the inclusion of popular culture references in academics wrong?

This list also has some of the best pop culture debate topics. Nevertheless, you should pick the idea to write about carefully. That’s because some ideas are the basis of controversial pop culture topics. As such, you must also convey contrary opinions and take a stance when writing your essay.

Social Issues and Culture Topics

Some pop culture essay topics tie with some social issues. A topic is popularized by society. That’s why most films, television programs, and books focus on social issues. Therefore, good pop culture topics are relatable to most people. Here are some of the best social issues and pop culture paper topics to consider.

• Popular culture implication on dumbing down the youth
• Racism and popular culture over the last century
• Impact of the popular culture on the moral compass
• Why some religions are popular than others
• Which are the most popular religions?
• Why does free speech stress some people in today’s society?
• Discuss the impact of social media on popular movements in society
• Analyze the current popular culture and consumer behavior trends
• Analyze popular culture and consumer behavior in the past 100 years
• Discuss the changing landscape in the popular culture and gender equality
• How does popular culture represent terrorism
• Discuss changes in terrorism representation over the past years
• What are the most popular clans in the world?
• What is the influence of popular clans?
• Discuss the changing attitudes towards gender equality
• How is the moral landscape changing?
• What are the most influential cults in popular societies
• How has feminism affected popular culture?
• How does pop culture create apathy in modern society
• How does homosexual attitude differ in society due to popular culture?

These pop culture research paper topics touch on social issues too. They show that popular culture is an important aspect of society. Students can focus on these pop culture research topics to show that this essential aspect can cause or solve issues in society.

Controversial Pop Culture Topics for Research Papers

Some popular culture research topics are generally controversial. Writing about such topics entails addressing the controversy that is witnessed almost every day by students. Nevertheless, writing about controversial American pop culture topics, for instance, requires analytical skills. Here are examples of topics in this category.

• The government should ban some countercultures
• Some cartoons are catchy and bright- Discuss with Toy Story in mind
• Products of pop culture bend the present-day youth’s aesthetic perception
• Social media activity should be moderated strictly
• Some old music and books are better than some of the modern bestsellers
• Most people criticize some products of pop culture for being trash
• Celebrities should be accountable for racist messages
• Most celebrities include sexist messages in their work
• Parents should be attentive to the music listened to by their kids
• Reading comic books can cause a superficial perception of daily reality

It’s crucial to remember that you should always be ethical when writing about controversial popular culture topics. That means you should focus on making a strong argument with sufficient evidence when writing your paper or essay.

Interesting Culture Speech Topics

Some educators ask students to write speeches on global and American popular culture topics. These topics can also be great for debates. Here are examples of topics that learners can choose for their speeches.

• Negatives and positive effects of popular culture on young people
• How pop culture can influence the current generation’s moral code
• How the values of feminists are represented in contemporary cartoons
• How pop culture denounces gender inequality
• How popular culture promotes gender inequality
• Discuss religious conflicts in pop culture
• Explain the influence of pop culture on consumer behavior
• How does pop culture lead to political apathy?
• Is pop culture the reason why society has accepted homosexuality?
• How is the fight against terrorism represented in popular culture?

These are great culture research topics that can also be great for speeches and debates. Nevertheless, they also require research to come up with detailed facts and present them properly.

Extraordinary Culture Essay Topics

Students that like thinking outside the box should pick extraordinary popular culture research paper topics. Here are examples of such topics.

• Traveling is part of the modern popular culture
• Pop culture is important for modern education
• What is McDonaldization?
• Discuss the American history representation in modern television series
• Compare the portrayal of yakuza in Western and Asian pop culture
• Contrast the portrayal of yakuza in Western and Asian pop culture
• Contrast pop culture and folk culture
• How has the childhood concept been changed by pop culture?
• How has popular culture influenced the global economy?
• Explain your relationship with the popular culture phenomenon
• What is Black Dandyism?
• Discuss the pop art principles
• Explain ethical problems using pop culture’s technologies
• What role do anime and manga play in modern popular culture?
• How does American popular culture affect the rest of the world?
• How is the US criminal justice system represented in pop culture?
• How are the US courts represented in pop culture?
• Discuss a famous historical personality in pop culture
• How is the mentality of children influenced by their faith in superheroes?

Students can choose from a wide range of global, Asian, or American culture topics. However, it’s crucial to pick a pop culture topic that a learner is interested in. Our term paper writers are here to help. They make writing a paper or essay interesting and easy.

Pop Culture Essay Topics: Find Out the Pulse of Modern Society

Pop culture is an influential and ubiquitous force that permeates the daily lives of millions worldwide. Movies, series, music, games, and other forms of entertainment play an important role in our lives, shaping our experiences, influencing our opinions, and building social connections. Given this, discussing popular culture has become an increasingly essential practice.

Popular culture reflects and criticizes contemporary social, political, and cultural issues through artistic expression. When writing about topics related to culture, there are important things like the representation of minorities, feminism, changing aesthetic standards, or the entertainment industry.

Additionally, discussing popular culture allows individuals to express their creativity and personal opinions. Popular culture evokes intense passions and emotions, creating a space for students to explore their perspectives and interpretations. This personal expression is very important for developing critical thinking and analytical skills and encouraging self-discovery. That is why an essay about pop culture should be developed by all students at least once.

Therefore, engaging in pop culture essays is more than a relevant practice. This practice becomes increasingly important as we recognize the impact of popular culture on our lives and its ability to shape our worldview. See some of the important topics that can be addressed in this subject and the suggestion of exciting topics to develop an essay.

American Pop Culture Topics

American pop culture essay topics are a fascinating phenomenon that affects not just the United States but the entire world. This includes a wide range of elements such as music, film, television, sports, and even iconic brands and products.

Examining issues related to American popular culture allows us to analyze its social impact, evolution over time, and relevance to contemporary issues. Here are five topics for essays on American popular culture issues:

• The Social Media Phenomenon and Its Impact on American Popular Culture
• The Role of American Reality Television Shows in Constructing the American Identity
• The Expression of Diversity and Religion Clash in American Culture
• The Influence of Popular Culture on Political Opinion Formation
• The Role of Celebrities Influence and Historical Personalities in American Popular Culture

Sports in Pop Culture: Essay Ideas for the Ultimate Fanatic

Sports in pop culture topics have helped unite fans worldwide and create communities of passionate enthusiasts. The relationship between sports and pop culture is complex, ranging from sports idols and historical events to the influence of sports on film, music, and fashion.

Examining sport-related issues in popular culture allows us to analyze the social impact of sports, sports stories that engage audiences, and the intersection of sports and entertainment. Here are five essay topics on the topic of sports:

• Sport as a Form of Cultural Identity
• The Role of Sport in Breaking Down Social Barriers
• Culture of Supporters and Sports Fans
• Sports and Sports Stories in the Pop Media
• The Impact of Sport on Celebrity Fashion and Culture

Film-themed Popular Culture Essay Topics

Cinematic popular culture is a global phenomenon that fascinates audiences, and pop culture influences many aspects of society. Movies are not just entertaining. They also reflect and shape our culture, values, ​​and worldview.

Exploring the pop culture issues that essay films address allows us to understand the impact of cinema, the trends and influences it creates, and the messages and expressions it conveys over time. Here are five writing topics in “Film-themed Pop Culture Essay.”

• Film Action Hero Development in the Mass Media
• Representation of Minorities in Cinema and Mass media
• The Role of Cinema in Disseminating Ideas and Values
• The Impact of Remakes and Reboots on Popular Culture
• The Power of Independent Films in Pop Culture

Essay Topics on Style and Pop Culture

The fashion industry and pop culture are inextricably linked, influencing and being influenced by each other. Fashion is how people express their identity and personality, while popular culture reflects and shapes the trends and styles of the time.

Delve into style and pop culture topics to analyze the evolution of fashion, the influence of celebrities and social media, and the intersection of fashion and social issues. The five writing topics under “Style and Pop Culture” are:

• The Role of Social Media in Influencing Fashion
• Fashion as a Form of Female Empowerment
• The Impact of Hip-Hop Music Culture on Fashion
• The Relationship Between Sustainable Fashion and Popular Culture
• Fashion as a Form of Resistance and Cultural Expression

Social Media’s Influence on Pop Culture

The impact of social media on pop culture today is undeniable. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have changed how we consume entertainment, discover new trends and connect with others.

Investigating questions about the impact of social media and mass media on pop culture allows you to analyze the effects on celebrities, the entertainment industry, the dissemination of trends, and engagement with the general public. Here are five essay topics on “Social Media’s Influence on Pop Culture.”

• The Role of Digital Influencers in Pop Culture
• The Transformation of Celebrity in the Age of Social Media
• The Diffusion of Trends and Challenges in Popular Culture
• The Democratization of Entertainment Through Social Networks
• The Impact of Social Media on the Entertainment Industry

Essay Topics on Evolving Pop Culture Trends

Pop culture trends constantly evolve to reflect the social, technological, and cultural changes around us. These trends influence how we express ourselves, dress, consume media, mass media, and interact with each other.

By examining issues related to ever-evolving trends in popular culture, we learn how these changes impact our society and social media’s role in spreading trends. You can analyze the influence of cultures and artistic movements. Here are five essay topics on evolving trends in popular culture.

• Subculture’s Influence on Pop Culture Everyday Life
• The Impact of Social Networks on the Dissemination of Trends
• The Evolution of Fashion and Celebrity Gossip in Pop Culture
• The Expression of Diversity and Cultural Appropriation in Pop Culture
• The Power of Streaming Media in International Relations.

Pop Culture Paper Topics in the Digital Age

Pop culture has undergone significant changes in the digital age due to technology and global connectivity. Modern technologies, social media, music, video streaming, video games, and content-sharing platforms have played an important role in spreading and developing popular culture.

Investigating issues surrounding pop culture in the digital age explores issues related to the impact of technology on entertainment, changes in the way popular culture is consumed and participated in, and the analysis of privacy and authenticity.

Here are five writing topics on “Pop Culture in the Digital Age”:

• Impact of Social Media and Pop Culture Objects on Fandom
• The Era of Binge-Watching and the Popular Culture Influence
• The Relation Between Folk Culture and Popular Video Games
• Privacy and Trust in the Digital Age for Young People in the Mass Media
• The Role of Content-Sharing Platforms in the Democratization of Popular Culture

Music and Pop Culture

Popular music is an integral part of popular culture, influencing and being influenced by many aspects of society. It reflects the values, trends, and artistic movements of the time and plays an important role in constructing individual and collective identities.

Investigating issues related to pop music trends and pop culture makes it possible to analyze the influence of popular music on fashion, cinema, politics, and social change. Here are five essay topics about pop music and pop culture.

• The Influence of Music Affect on Pop and Folk Culture
• Music and Pop Culture Promote as a Form of Social and Political Activity
• Pop Music Industry and the Rise of Latin American Pop Music
• Music Shape as an Expression of Identity and Subcultures in Young People
• Impact of Sunshine Pop Music Era on the Entertainment Industry and Consumer Behavior

Controversial Pop Culture Topics

Pop culture often provokes debate and controversy because it deals with sensitive and potentially divisive issues. These controversial issues range from the representation of specific groups in the media to the impact of popular culture on society and traditional values.

Addressing these questions in a culture research paper topic allows you to explore different perspectives, contrast ideas, and encourage constructive discussion. Here are five writing popular culture topics for “Controversial Issues in Pop Culture.”

• Representation of Minorities in the Media – A Vital Pop Culture Change
• Political Apathy and Celebrity Pop Culture Reflect These Two Entities
• Sexuality and Eroticization in Pop Culture – Positive or Negative Impact
• Censorship and Culture Influence Consumer Behavior
• Capitalism and Commercialization of Pop Culture Influence and Celebrity Worship

Comic Books in Pop Culture

Comics have played an important role in pop culture and captivated fans of all ages around the world. They are a visually powerful medium for storytelling with iconic characters and compelling narratives.

Examining the issue of cartoons in popular culture allows us to analyze the impact of modern cartoons on film, literature, representation of minorities, and social discourse. Here are five essays on popular culture topics: “comic books in popular culture.”

• Impact of Comic Book Adaptations in Soap Operas
• The Development of Comics as an Art Form
• Representation of Minorities Romantic Relationships in Comics
• Comics and Modern Bestsellers as Educational Tools
• Independent Comics and Their Impact on the Teenage Generation

Pop Culture Research Topics for High School

Considering pop culture topics in high school is a great way to engage students in relevant discussions and spark an interest in contemporary culture. These topics range from analyzing cultural trends and influence to examining how popular culture reflects and shapes society.

Exploring these topics in essays helps students develop research, critical thinking, and persuasive writing skills. The five writing topics for Pop Culture Research for High School are:

• The Role of Pop Culture in the Formation of Adolescent and Young Adults’ Identity
• The Impact of Popular Culture on Education
• Representation of Minorities in Modern Popular Culture in the School Environment
• Use of Social Networks in Schools to Access Modern Pop Culture
• Pop Culture and the Fight for Gender Equality

Pop Culture and Science

The interface between pop culture and science is an exciting and ever-evolving field. As science advances, it finds its way into popular culture essays through movies, television shows, literature, and other forms of entertainment.

Likewise, pop culture often inspires science, with discoveries and innovations inspired by fictional ideas. Exploring the relationship between popular culture and science allows writers to analyze how these two fields interact and reflect the values ​​and aspirations of today’s society.

Here are five essays on the topic of “pop culture and science”:

• Influence of Pop Culture on Scientific Research Papers
• Dissemination of Science Through Pop Culture
• How Pop Culture Mediums Tackle Complex Ethical Questions Surrounding Scientific Advancements
• Influence of Science Fiction on the Scientific Imagination
• Important Representations of Science in Pop Culture and Online Learning

Sexism and Feminism in Pop Culture

The presence of sexism in pop culture and the struggle for feminism are relevant and complex issues that provoke heated debates. Popular culture often reflects and reinforces gender stereotypes, but it can also be a space that challenges these norms and promotes gender equality.

Investigating issues of sexism and feminism in popular newsroom culture allows us to analyze the portrayal of female characters, the objectification of women’s bodies, the media’s influence on the construction of gender identities, and much more.

Here are five essay topics on “Sexism and Feminism in Pop Culture” with feminist values represented.

• Evolution of Female Representation and Feminist Values in Popular Culture Essay
• The Objectification of the Female Body in the Celebrity Culture
• The Influence of Pop Culture on the Construction of Gender Identity for Young Girls
• The Role of Feminism in Pop Art Culture and Modern Society
• Analyzing the Portrayal of Women in Video Games

In summary, the good pop culture topics covered above are a few suggestions for starting pop culture argumentative essay that include a variety of related topics. Discussing these popular culture essay writing is very important, as it brings many benefits to the training of students pop culture influenced.

Appreciation of pop culture stems from its powerful influence on our daily lives. Exploring his artistic expression allows him to understand and reflect on current social, political, and cultural issues. This comprehensive understanding will enable you to develop critical thinking skills and gain a broader view of the world through popular culture essay.

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Actual Pop Culture Essay Topics for Students

Table of contents

• 1 How to Select the Best Pop Culture Essay Topic?
• 2 Pop Culture Argumentative Essay Topics
• 3 Controversial Pop Culture Topics
• 4 Pop Culture Topics for Analysis Essay
• 5 Popular Culture Essay Topics on the Internet
• 6 Pop Culture Topics on Idols and Heroes
• 7 American Popular Culture Topic Essay
• 8 Pop Culture Topics on Entertainment
• 9 Interesting Pop Culture Topics
• 10 Conclusion

Getting an essay topic to research, and write about can be really stressful. However, if you have to choose your essay topics, you may be exposed to even more stress. Did you receive an essay requirement asking you to write about modern popular culture? Do you have issues at your fingertips? If you don’t, then this article is for you.

You’ll find relevant suggestions for pop culture essay topics in this article. Easy, done for you, and ready to be flashed into unique essays. And if you’re worried about choosing your next pop culture research topic, don’t fret. You can buy custom essays from Papersowl to get your “A” grade without breaking a sweat. We have got you covered.

How to Select the Best Pop Culture Essay Topic?

Selecting the best pop culture essay topic may be arduous; for example, if you’re interested in American pop culture, you have to focus on the American clime. This means you have to dig deep and scratch beyond the surface of relevant information to write a college-level academic essay that will give your professor goosebumps. The exciting thing is that pop culture essay topics are challenging to formulate based on trends, events, and real-life occurrences.

• Research: The first step to selecting popular culture essay topics is to do your research. Your research has to be tailored to your specific guidelines, as stated in your essay requirements. You may also browse through different popular culture essays online to get inspiration.
• Select a Niche or Category: Popular culture is a broad umbrella term that houses several aspects, like folk culture, pop music, and mass media. So if you’re interested in the pop music era, your culture essay topic will portray concepts around the pop music industry.
• Use Papersowl: you can select the best pop culture essay with the two steps above. However, you may prefer to avoid the rigor and stress involved, so you can hire an essay writer on paperwork to do all the hard work. When you get essay help from Papersowl, you have set yourself up for success, and your professor will favor you.

Need help with essay writing? Get your paper written by a professional writer Get Help Reviews.io 4.9/5

Pop Culture Argumentative Essay Topics

Pop culture topics can evoke healthy arguments and interest readers who want to experience humor, emotions, seriousness, and information in one piece. Here are some argumentative essay topics for your perusal.

• Are Streaming Services Better Than Traditional Television Networks?
• The Portrayal Of Mental Health In Mass Media.
• The Culture Influence of Social Media on American Culture.
• The Controversy Surrounding Celebrity Worship In Modern Society.
• The Role Of Popular Video Games In Promoting Violence Among Young Adults.
• The Representation Of Gender Inequality And Sexuality In the Teenage Generation.
• The Cultural Appropriation Debate in The Music Climes.
• The Impact of Celebrity Gossip and Tabloid Media on Public Perception.
• The Debate Over Artistic License Versus Historical Accuracy in Biographical Films.
• The Influence of Popular Culture on Fashion Trends and Personal Style.
• Analyzing their Influence on Consumer Behavior.
• Addressing the Issue of Borrowing and Misrepresentation.
• Debunking the Link between Gaming and Real-world Aggression.
• Music as a Form of Protest.
• The Power of Memes.

Controversial Pop Culture Topics

Controversy is fast becoming closely knitted into the fabric of society. Getting an essay request from your professor about controversial pop culture topics is not uncommon. Here are some of the notable ones you can leverage.

• The Idolization Of Drug And Alcohol Use In Popular Music Videos.
• The Controversy Surrounding Artists Portraying Religion in Secular Performances.
• How Violent Game Content Affects Behavioral Patterns of Young People.
• Why Mainstream Media Now Portray LGBTQ+ Characters And Relationships.
• Has Racism Crept Into Award Nominations And Recognition?
• The Cultural Appropriation Of Traditional Fashion And Hairstyles By Celebrities.
• The Influence Of Social Media On Body Image And The Rise Of Unrealistic Beauty Standards.
• The Controversy Surrounding Artists Using Explicit Or Offensive Lyrics In Their Songs.
• The Portrayal Of Mental Illness And Suicide In Popular Tv Shows And Movies.
• The Debate Over Whether Celebrities Should Use Their Platform To Discuss Political And Social Issues.
• Examining the Impact and Consequences of Public Shaming.
• Analyzing the Responsibility of Pop Culture in Perpetuating or Reflecting Real-world Violence.
• Cultural Stereotypes in Media.
• Discussing Obsession, Toxicity, and Invasive Behavior.
• Hypersexualization in Pop Music.

Pop Culture Topics for Analysis Essay

Choosing the proper process analysis essay topics for your projects will require carefully considering the analytical process that will help you curate a brilliant essay. If you have enough resources, data, and information for analysis, you can easily pick an elaborate topic in that direction. Here are some brilliant suggestions for pop culture topics for analysis essays.

• Globalization and its Impact on Popular Culture
• Titanic: a Closer Look – Film Summary and Analysis
• The Hate U Give: Rhetorical Questions
• What is the Difference between the Older Generation and the Young One?
• Is Graffiti Art or a Crime of Vandalism?
• Racism in Pop Culture
• Memes are Evolving; What Impact does this have on Internet culture?
• Does Culture Influence Consumer Behavior?
• Analyzing the Cultural Significance and Impact of The Fashion Industry.
• Emotional Impact of Modern-Day Cartoons on Young People.
• The Evolution of Superhero Movies.
• The Influence of Streaming Platforms on Film and Television.
• Gender Representation in Video Games.
• The Rise of K-pop.
• Fashion Trends and Cultural Appropriation.

Popular Culture Essay Topics on the Internet

Popular culture essay topics are diverse, attention-grabbing, and enjoyable to most people. Several issues are to write about, including celebrity gossip, music trends, modern technologies, culture change, and cultural influences. Here are some popular culture essay topics on the internet.

• Criminogenic Media
• Addiction Towards Facebook
• Media Analysis on Advertisement
• TedTalk: Women’s Representation on Media
• Cyberbullying on Facebook and other Social Media
• Are Virtual Reality Becoming More a Part of Our Reality than Before?
• Benefits of Solving the Problem Netflix
• Cyber Security Threats in Healthcare
• Democratization of Digital Media Technologies and their Impact on Journalism
• Evolution, Impact, and Cultural Significance of Online Humor.
• Exploring the Rise of Social Media Influencers.
• Fake News and Misinformation.
• Online Gaming Communities.
• Internet Trolling and Cyberbullying.

Pop Culture Topics on Idols and Heroes

If you’re required to write an American pop culture essay on topics about Idols and Heroes, your first cue is to do a few historical checks. You may have little time digging into American history, so we have curated a few topics below.

• Manson’s Popularity
• Cleopatra – a Powerful Woman Leader
• A Football Player, Homare Sawa
• Deadpool and the Hero’s Journey
• Batman Superhero
• An American Singer – Beyonce
• Famous Person – Steve Jobs
• Leader Profile: Barack Obama
• Abraham Lincoln the Greatest Leader of our Nation
• Beowulf as a Hero and Leader
• Exploring the Phenomenon of Celebrity Obsession.
• The Influence of Idols and Heroes.
• Investigating the Symbolism and Cultural Significance of Superheroes.
• The Phenomenon of Celebrity Worship.
• The Shifting Definition of Heroes in Contemporary Pop Culture.

American Popular Culture Topic Essay

American popular culture is deeply rooted in American history. Writing an essay on American pop culture could involve topics that center on political apathy, the fashion industry, gender inequality, pop culture objects, everyday life, or mass media. These are a few topic ideas for your following essay.

• American Football is One of the most Popular and Favorite Sports in Many Countries
• Andy Warhol: Famous Pop Artist
• Apple Inc. – Popular Multinational Technology Company
• Convenience and Popularity of Fast Food
• Keith Haring is an American Pop Artist
• A Favorite Sport in the USA
• A Journey through Coca-Cola History
• A Legalized Drug in the United States
• A Descriptive Essay on Starbucks Coffee Shop
• Are Illegal Immigrants Beneficial to the United States
• The American Dream in Popular Culture.
• Exploring the Rise of Fast Food, Food Fads, and Culinary Diversity.
• The Significance of Figures like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and the Statue of Liberty.
• American Pop Art Movement.
• Investigating Hollywood’s Dominance.

Pop Culture Topics on Entertainment

Binging on music and videos is different from choosing pop culture topics for entertainment. The mass media constantly evolves, and pop culture may help you choose interesting topics. Looking into the pop music era, diversification of hip-hop music, cultural influence, popular music, and entertainment may invoke interesting essay topic ideas like the ones below.

• Film Adaptation of Two Popular Fairy Tales According to Disney
• Fornite as a Popular Game
• A Psychoanalytical Lens on the Film Fight Club
• A Reflection of the Happenings during the Era of Star Wars
• Advantages of Computer Games
• Disney at the Top of the Entertainment Industry
• Netflix and its Effects
• Augmented Reality Virtual Reality and the Music Industry
• Alan Silvestri’s “Forrest Gump” in the Country Music Genre
• LGBTQ Community and Entertainment Industry
• The Evolution of Streaming Services.
• The Popularity and Cultural Influence of Unscripted Television Shows.
• Investigating the Influence and Community Building in Fandoms.
• Gaming as a Form of Entertainment.
• Remakes and Reboots in Entertainment.

Interesting Pop Culture Topics

Are you looking for interesting pop culture topics for your next assignment? These cultural topics are usually exciting and highly captivating. This means your professor will read your essay topic and stay glued to the end of the essay. The possibility of staying on your paper increases your chances of hitting new milestones.

• Humanity Represented in Space.
• Cultural Change And Its Dynamic Effects On Economic Growth.
• How Young People Are Printing Money Without Prior Skills.
• Social Media Culture Influence on College Students.
• Limelights on TikTok: How an App for Short Videos Transformed Social Media.
• How Pop Culture Promote The Latest Pop Art.
• The Influence of Fashion Bloggers and Instagram on Young Girls.
• Feminist Values Represented By Young Girls in College.
• The Sunshine Pop and The Latest Music Shape.
• What Does Pop Culture Reflect on Latin American Pop Music?
• The Viral Trends and their Effects on Society.
• The Resurgence of Retro Gaming.
• Fashion Influencers and Sustainable Fashion.
• Digital Detox and Offline Experiences.
• Analyzing its Impact on Beauty Standards, Body Acceptance, and Representation in Pop Culture.

With the evolution in various aspects like the mass media, politics, and technology, young adults are changing, and pop culture is getting diverse. This makes folk culture and popular culture exciting areas of consideration for essay assignments. If you’re burdened with choosing your definition essay topic, or pop culture research topics, this article will help you select the best topics. To write a college-level essay on popular culture topics, you can trust Papersowl to write the essay for you from start to finish.

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Pop Culture Essay – Thoughts on Writing

The very concept of culture is rather broad – that’s why in order to write a good paper, it is better to focus on some kind of culture. For the purposes of this blog post, let’s focus on pop culture.

The benefits of writing on pop culture is that you, as the writer, have already experienced it and are experiencing it almost every day of your life.

What you hear from your car’s radio, what you see on TV, and what you find browsing online make up the pop culture of the modern time. In other words, a pop culture is the combination of images, perspectives, opinions, ideas and other components that are mainstream within a certain national culture.

The emergence of the pop culture

The term itself appeared in the 19th century and at first was associated only with those social strata that lacked education and were on the lower end of the income ladder. The pop culture was opposed to the official culture with its higher education and income standards.

After the World War II, the term acquired the new meaning of “mass” culture, or “consumerism” culture.

Even though the word “pop” is short for “popular,” the two have a difference in meaning. While “popular” is used to characterize a phenomenon that acquired popularity, “pop” has a narrower meaning of something that has qualities of mass appeal.

There are as many as six definitions of popular culture, none of which covers the full range of meanings.

How to write about pop culture?

There are SO many ways to write about pop culture, and we will only name a few possible directions you could follow.

• High class and low-class cultures – what are they?
• The message that the pop culture sends
• The impact of pop culture on religion
• The roots of counterculture
• The responsibility of those producing popular culture to those consuming it
• The issue of low-quality popular culture – is it possible for a pop culture to be of a low quality at all?
• Can popular culture be an advocate of positive social changes?
• Pop culture values – why people trade genuine talent for mass appeal?
• The likely development of pop culture
• Comparison of pop cultures of different decades
• What could and could not be predicted in the development of the pop culture of the previous years?
• The chances and the mechanism of a niche cultural movement being destroyed by people who don’t understand it
• The influence of pop culture on shaping the personality
• All things Andy Warhol as the father of pop art movement
• The tattoo art as a part of the pop culture
• Hip hop and its appeal for masses
• The influence of pop music on social events
• The influence of music on our social choices
• The subjectivity in evaluation of classic and popular music quality
• Where does the line between low class and high-cžlass music lie?
• Pop music and its role in promoting the values of globalization
• The current state of pop music
• All things The Beatles
• Narcotics abuse by major pop music figures
• Michael Jackson as a key figure in the development of pop music
• The complicated relationship of online piracy and pop culture
• The influence of reality TV on the development and shaping of popular culture
• The role of soap operas in popular culture
• Media as sources of pop culture
• The influence of the online world on popular culture and our choices within it
• The impact of advertising on popular culture
• The contribution of reality TV into the development of pop culture
• All things The Simpsons as a quintessence of pop culture
• Celebrity worshipping as a part of popular culture
• The difference between celebrity worshipping and hero worshipping

Music, art, literature, movies – there are virtually no limits as long as you make a point by carefully choosing and presenting arguments. This is the beauty of writing creative papers, so use it as much as you can.

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Pop Culture

Pop culture: an overview, tim delaney sets the scene for our philosophical consideration of popular stuff..

The term ‘popular culture’ holds different meanings depending on who’s defining it and the context of use. It is generally recognized as the vernacular or people’s culture that predominates in a society at a point in time. As Brummett explains in Rhetorical Dimensions of Popular Culture , pop culture involves the aspects of social life most actively involved in by the public. As the ‘culture of the people’, popular culture is determined by the interactions between people in their everyday activities: styles of dress, the use of slang, greeting rituals and the foods that people eat are all examples of popular culture. Popular culture is also informed by the mass media.

There are a number of generally agreed elements comprising popular culture. For example, popular culture encompasses the most immediate and contemporary aspects of our lives. These aspects are often subject to rapid change, especially in a highly technological world in which people are brought closer and closer by omnipresent media. Certain standards and commonly held beliefs are reflected in pop culture. Because of its commonality, pop culture both reflects and influences people’s everyday life (see eg Petracca and Sorapure, Common Culture ). Furthermore, brands can attain pop iconic status (eg the Nike swoosh or McDonald’s golden arches). However, iconic brands, as other aspects of popular culture, may rise and fall.

With these fundamental aspects in mind, popular culture may be defined as the products and forms of expression and identity that are frequently encountered or widely accepted, commonly liked or approved, and characteristic of a particular society at a given time . Ray Browne in his essay ‘Folklore to Populore’ offers a similar definition: “Popular culture consists of the aspects of attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, customs, and tastes that define the people of any society. Popular culture is, in the historic use of term, the culture of the people .”

Popular culture allows large heterogeneous masses of people to identify collectively. It serves an inclusionary role in society as it unites the masses on ideals of acceptable forms of behavior. Along with forging a sense of identity which binds individuals to the greater society, consuming pop culture items often enhances an individual’s prestige in their peer group. Further, popular culture, unlike folk or high culture, provides individuals with a chance to change the prevailing sentiments and norms of behavior, as we shall see. So popular culture appeals to people because it provides opportunities for both individual happiness and communal bonding.

Examples of Popular Culture

Examples of popular culture come from a wide array of genres, including popular music, print, cyber culture, sports, entertainment, leisure, fads, advertising and television. Sports and television are arguably two of the most widely consumed examples of popular culture, and they also represent two examples of popular culture with great staying power.

Sports are played and watched by members of all social classes, but (tautologously) the masses are responsible for the huge popularity of sports. Some sporting events, such as the World Cup and the Olympics, are consumed by a world community. Sports are pervasive in most societies and represent a major part of many people’s lives. Showing allegiance to a team as a means of self-identification is a common behavior. Further, cheering for a sports team or a favorite athlete is a way any individual can become part of popular culture, as I and Tim Madigan explain in our new book The Sociology of Sport .

Many people watch numerous hours of television everyday. It is such a prevalent aspect of contemporary culture it is difficult to imagine life without it. There are those who believe TV is responsible for the dumbing down of society; that children watch too much television; and that the couch potato syndrome has contributed to the epidemic of childhood obesity. The globally popular TV show The Simpsons provides us with an interesting perspective on television. In the episode ‘Sideshow Bob’s Last Gleaming’ (#137), while doing time in prison, Sideshow Bob becomes a critic of television. Although he was once a regular on The Krusty the Clown Show , Bob has become obsessed by television’s harmful effect on society. Bob argues that everyone’s lives would be much richer if TV were done away with. As a result, he devises a scheme to detonate a nuclear bomb unless all television is abolished in Springfield. Unable to locate Bob, Springfield’s city officials meet to discuss Bob’s demands of abolishing TV. A panicky Krusty proclaims, “Would it really be worth living in a world without television? I think the survivors would envy the dead.” Although there are people who agree with Sideshow Bob, the masses would more likely agree with Krusty: that living in a world without television is not really living. It is even more difficult to imagine a world without popular culture.

Folk and High Culture

Popular culture is usually distinguished from folk and high culture. In some ways, folk culture is similar to pop culture because of the mass participation involved. Folk culture, however, represents the traditional way of doing things. Consequently, it is not as amendable to change and is much more static than popular culture.

Folk culture represents a simpler lifestyle, that is generally conservative, largely self-sufficient, and often characteristic of rural life. Radical innovation is generally discouraged. Group members are expected to conform to traditional modes of behavior adopted by the community. Folk culture is local in orientation, and non-commercial. In short, folk culture promises stability, whereas popular culture is generally looking for something new or fresh. Because of this, popular culture often represents an intrusion and a challenge to folk culture. Conversely, folk culture rarely intrudes upon popular culture. There are times when certain elements of folk culture (eg Turkish rugs, Mexican blankets and Irish fairy tales) find their way into the world of pop culture. Generally, when items of folk culture are appropriated and marketed by the popular culture, the folk items gradually lose their original form.

A key characteristic of popular culture is its accessibility to the masses. It is, after all, the culture of the people. High culture, on the other hand, is not mass produced, nor meant for mass consumption. It belongs to the social elite; the fine arts, opera, theatre, and high intellectualism are associated with the upper socioeconomic classes. Items of high culture often require extensive experience, training, or reflection to be appreciated. Such items seldom cross over to the pop culture domain. Consequently, popular culture is generally looked (down) upon as being superficial when compared to the sophistication of high culture. (This does not mean that social elites do not participate in popular culture or that members of the masses do not participate in high culture.)

The Formation of Popular Culture

Through most of human history, the masses were influenced by dogmatic forms of rule and traditions dictated by local folk culture. Most people were spread throughout small cities and rural areas – conditions that were not conducive to a ‘popular’ culture. With the beginning of the Industrial era (late eighteenth century), the rural masses began to migrate to cities, leading to the urbanization of most Western societies.

Urbanization is a key ingredient in the formation of popular culture. People who once lived in homogeneous small villages or farms found themselves in crowded cities marked by great cultural diversity. These diverse people would come to see themselves as a ‘collectivity’ as a result of common, or popular, forms of expression. Thus, many scholars trace the beginning of the popular culture phenomenon to the rise of the middle class brought on by the Industrial Revolution.

Industrialization also brought with it mass production; developments in transportation, such as the steam locomotive and the steamship; advancements in building technology; increased literacy; improvements in education and public health; and the emergence of efficient forms of commercial printing, representing the first step in the formation of a mass media (eg the penny press, magazines, and pamphlets). All of these factors contributed to the blossoming of popular culture. By the start of the twentieth century, the print industry mass-produced illustrated newspapers and periodicals, as well as serialized novels and detective stories. Newspapers served as the best source of information for a public with a growing interest in social and economic affairs. The ideas expressed in print provided a starting point for popular discourse on all sorts of topics. Fueled by further technological growth, popular culture was greatly impacted by the emerging forms of mass media throughout the twentieth century. Films, broadcast radio and television all had a profound influence on culture.

So urbanization, industrialization, the mass media and the continuous growth in technology since the late 1700s, have all been significant factors in the formation of popular culture. These continue to be factors shaping pop culture today.

Sources of Popular Culture

There are numerous sources of popular culture. As implied above, a primary source is the mass media, especially popular music, film, television, radio, video games, books and the internet. In addition, advances in communication allows for the greater transmission of ideas by word of mouth, especially via cell phones. Many TV programs, such as American Idol and the Last Comic Standing, provide viewers with a phone number so that they can vote for a contestant. This combining of pop culture sources represents a novel way of increasing public interest, and further fuels the mass production of commodities.

Popular culture is also influenced by professional entities that provide the public with information. These sources include the news media, scientific and scholarly publications, and ‘expert’ opinion from people considered an authority in their field. For example, a news station reporting on a specific topic, say the effects of playing violent video games, will seek a noted psychologist or sociologist who has published in this area. This strategy is a useful way of influencing the public and may shape their collective opinions on a particular subject. At the very least, it provides a starting point for public discourse and differing opinions. News stations often allow viewers to call or email in their opinions, which may be shared with the public.

A seemingly contradictory source of popular culture is individualism. Urban culture has not only provided a common ground for the masses, it has inspired ideals of individualistic aspirations. In the United States, a society formed on the premise of individual rights, there are theoretically no limitations to what an individual might accomplish. An individual may choose to participate in all that is ‘popular’ for popularity’s sake; or they may choose a course of action off the beaten track. At times, these ‘pathfinders’ affect popular culture by their individuality. Of course, once a unique style becomes adopted by others, it ceases to remain unique. It becomes, popular.

© Tim Delaney 2007

Tim Delaney is a sociology professor at the State University of New York at Oswego. A member of the Popular Culture Association and the American Culture Association, Delaney is the author of Seinology: The Sociology of Seinfeld and is currently writing a book on The Simpsons that is scheduled for publication in February, 2008. Visit his website at www.booksbytimdelaney.com .

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220 Pop Culture Topics for an A+ Essay

There are many ways to define popular culture . Here’s one of them: pop culture includes mainstream preferences in society within a specific time frame. It covers fashion, music, language, and even food. Pop culture is always evolving, engaging in new trends, and leaving the old ones behind.

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This article offers you a list of pop culture topics covering its numerous aspects. Continue reading to find helpful tips on how to choose a perfect topic for your assignment. And don’t forget that custom-writing.org is ready to help you with any task. Check out our resources!

🔝 Top 10 Pop Culture Topics

✅ how to choose a topic, ⭐ top 10 pop culture essay topics.

• 🎵 Music Topics
• 📰 Mass Media Topics
• 📚 Popular Literature
• 📺 Movies & T.V.
• 🇺🇸 American Pop Culture
• 🌐 Internet Phenomena
• ✍️ Pop Culture Analysis
• 🤔 Pop Culture & Social Issues

🔍 References

• How is politics related to sport?
• Is religion related to pop culture?
• Does music affect the fashion industry?
• The ways technology affects pop culture
• Is traveling a part of modern pop culture?
• Pop culture’s impact on consumer behavior
• How does globalization affect pop culture?
• Is there a negative effect of popular fiction?
• Entertainment industry during different generations
• How does fandom culture vary around the world?

Choosing a topic is the first step towards completing an assignment. This section will help middle, high school, and college students identify the right subject for an essay. Ask yourself these questions:

• What are the requirements? Make sure you understand the task you need to complete.
• You are free to choose your topic. Keep in mind the purpose of the course and the material covered in class. Brainstorm your ideas and choose the one you like the most!
• You are provided with a list of topics to choose from. In this case, start by reviewing every option. Eliminate the ones you are least excited about. Then, select a subject that seems the most interesting to you.
• What do you already know? Of course, you could choose a topic that is brand-new for you. But working with a familiar subject will make the research easier.
• What does your instructor say about the topic? Don’t hesitate to consult with your instructors before writing. Make sure that the selected topic fits the requirements.

Now you understand how to select the right subject for your assignment. Let’s see the topic options! If you looked through the list but still haven’t found anything that insterests you, try your luck with an essay ideas generator .

• Gender equality in fashion
• Is food a part of pop culture?
• Characteristics of pop art
• Pop culture vs. folk culture
• K-pop culture’s impact on fashion
• How cultural appropriation affects media
• Consumer culture and the world economy
• Entertainment industry and mental health
• The role of media in the music industry
• Is TikTok a part of modern pop culture?

🎵 Popular Culture Topics about Music

Music never stops changing. It came a long way from hand-crafted instruments to computer programming. You can write about music that was popular in a specific timeframe or discuss the latest trends. Here is a list of topic ideas on this subject.

• How did space-age discoveries affect rock music?
• Discuss music marketing in the digital era.
• Describe the features of Latin American pop music.
• What makes K-Pop stand out?
• The role of pop music for your generation.
• Write about the origin of hip-hop.
• Select a time period and write about its music trends.
• Analyze the evolution of pop music starting from the 1950s.

• Write about the occupational hazards of being a musician.
• The origin and development of sunshine pop.
• Choose a music album and analyze its impact.
• Which pop music era seems the most interesting to you?
• Pick a famous band and describe their career path.
• Compare two different pieces of music from the 20th century.
• What are the main features of rock music?
• How do pop songs influence the teenage generation?
• The role of radio broadcasting in the pop music industry .
• Popular vs. serious music: a comparison.
• Talk about a person who largely contributed to pop music.
• What are the functions of film music?
• Can popular songs influence public opinion on a specific subject?
• Why do some people develop a very negative attitude towards pop music?
• Describe the role of music in your life.
• Do famous artists influence the lifestyle of their fans?
• Discover why some entertainers remain famous even after their death.

📰 Mass Media Pop Culture Essay Topics

Popular culture exists and survives because of the mass media. With its help, it reaches and unites billions of people. Television, radio, and newspapers are the main outlets of mass media. Here is the list of media-related pop culture topics to write about.

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• Do magazines publish celebrity gossip too often?
• Describe the way mass media dictates fashion standards to young adults.
• Analyze the link between pop culture and mass media in the U.S.
• Does mass media influence the preferences of the audience?
• Describe how the media contributes to stereotypes about minorities.
• Should newspapers expose sensitive details about celebrities’ lives?
• How can one make sure not to consume fake news ?
• Analyze the peculiarities of New Journalism.
• Discover the influence of the New York Times on the press.
• Write about radio stations contributing to pop culture in the past.
• Discuss racial stereotyping on television.
• Talk about an influential online news resource.
• Body as a subject in media and marketing.
• What kind of pop culture topics are not broadcast via mass media?
• Would you consider Twitter a mass media source?
• Talk about the media and the global public sphere.
• Write about promotional campaigns via mass media.
• Is it possible for an artist to gain fame without the internet?
• Which websites are known for spreading fake news ?
• How to avoid information overload nowadays?
• Conduct a semiotic analysis of a perfume commercial.
• Can pop culture survive without American media ?
• Describe the American Idol phenomenon.
• Talk about the internet’s effects on journalism.
• Which influencers do you personally prefer and why?

📚 Modern Popular Literature Essay Topics

This section will be fun for book lovers! The term “popular literature” refers to writings intended for a broad audience. It’s no surprise that such books often become bestsellers. You can describe this type of writing as fiction with a strong plot. Look at this list of topic ideas for a great analytical, argumentative, or informative essay.

• Describe the magic of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter books.
• Discover the initial public opinion about The Handmaid’s Tale .
• Why did The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo become a bestseller?
• Principles used in Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson.
• Why did Enduring Love by Ian McEwan gain popularity?
• What charmed the readers of The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton?
• Discuss the theme of change in Disgrace by J. M. Coetzee.
• Discover the way the sad ending in The Lucky One affected the readers.
• Orange Is the New Black: Netflix series vs. book.
• What made The Wednesday Letters different from other love novels?

• How did The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins become iconic?
• Describe the characters of Katherine Min’s Courting a Monk .
• Discover the way Atonement by Ian McEwan impacted the readers.
• What values are encouraged in Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks?
• Discuss the initial public opinion about Life of Pi by Yann Martel .
• Self-awareness in The Laramie Project by Moises Kaufman.
• Analyze the success of The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie .
• Discuss the literary issues of Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air.
• How did the public accept the controversial message of The Da Vinci Code ?
• Did Aziz Ansari’s reputation contribute to the fame of his book Modern Romance ?
• What made The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer popular?
• Analyze the fanbase of The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler.
• What draws the readers to Confessions of a Shopaholic ?
• Explore confession and forgiveness in The Lovely Bones.
• Why did The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield gain popularity?

📺 Pop Culture Topics: Movies and T.V.

Movies and T.V. shows are an integral part of U.S. culture. This category includes films based on popular literature and all-time-classic movies. T.V. production is often accompanied by a massive amount of merchandise that fills clothing and toy stores. The following list will help you select an on-point essay topic.

• Write about the way the Star Wars saga unifies several generations.
• The Wizard of Oz in relation to populist movement.
• Analyze the impact of King Kong on cinema.
• What makes New York City an iconic location for movies?
• Describe the role of fandom in pop culture.
• Is it better to watch a movie at home vs. in theater?
• Why is Lord of the Rings considered one of the greatest trilogies?
• Define the genre of Scarface.
• How does Groundhog Day relate to Buddhism?
• Did The X-Files inspire conspiracy theories?
• Analyze the way Friends logo entered the clothing industry.
• Write about the role of the media in Jerry Maguire.
• Why did the movie Aliens become popular?
• Discover the effects of Western movies on Arab youth.
• What has brought Terminator into pop culture?
• Write about the impact Rocky had on viewers.
• Discuss what fans appreciate about The Matrix movies.
• Racism and masculinity in A Soldier’s Story.
• Write about a successful Marvel movie .
• What makes D.C. movies iconic?
• Describe the role of social workers in Crash.
• Discuss the periods of The Simpsons ’ fame.
• Analyze the way Parks and Recreation reflect the U.S. culture.
• Talk about your favorite blockbuster.
• Should government control the contents of T.V. shows?

🇺🇸 American Pop Culture Topics

The history of the United States was always reflected in various art forms. Today its pop culture highlights social identity and carries on the American heritage. In this section, you can explore the elements that contribute to American pop culture.

• How did globalization impact American pop culture ?
• Analyze the influence of the American movie industry on the world.
• Write about Hispanic American culture.
• Explore the place of alien encounters narrative within American culture.
• Write about a specific period of American pop culture.
• Examine the popularity of American movies overseas.
• Write about the history and influence of Halloween.
• Discover the economic value of the American entertainment industry.
• Write about an aspect of the American pop culture you’re most proud of.

• What would you like to change about the U.S. pop industry?
• American folk culture vs. pop culture.
• Which countries are not influenced by American culture at all?
• Describe the role of T.V. broadcasting for the U.S.
• Talk about American fast food as a part of pop culture.
• Discover vacation destinations in and outside of the U.S.
• Why is so much of today’s pop culture focused on the 80s?
• How significant is Disney for Americans?
• Discover the roots of U.S. pop culture.
• How does the American pop industry portray sexuality?
• Analyze the way pop culture unifies American citizens.
• What are the destructive trends prevalent in the U.S.?
• Discuss gender roles in American cartoons.
• What does American pop teach about lifestyle?
• How quickly do new fashion trends spread across the U.S.?
• Discuss the way the U.S. pop culture reflects its historical values.

🌐 Popular Culture Essay Topics on Internet Phenomena

The internet is the ultimate means of communication worldwide. The rise of online trends is quite unpredictable, which is why it’s called internet phenomena. Memes, videos, challenges will be the focus of this section. Continue reading to find a fun essay topic!

• What purpose was intended for the Ice bucket challenge ?
• What made the dab famous worldwide?
• Describe a dangerous internet phenomenon.
• Why were teens attracted to the fire challenge?
• Analyze the way Harlem Shake went viral.
• What is people’s attitude towards social media?
• How does something become an internet phenomenon?
• Describe the influence of the Thriller dance on the world.
• Debate the ethics of Coffin Dance.
• What’s the reason for Gangnam Style’s fame?
• How did the Momo challenge turn into a worldwide phenomenon?
• Write about an internet phenomenon that emerged in 2020.
• Talk about an online challenge you participated in.
• What made Bongo Cat famous for many years?
• Write about a politics-themed online phenomenon.
• What distinguishes popular video games nowadays?
• Analyze the role of TikTok in song advertisement.
• Write about a comics book that gained popularity online.
• Discover online challenges that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Describe the Bernie Sanders phenomenon among college students.
• What internet phenomena are popular amongst the older generation?
• Discuss the outcomes of a viral fundraising challenge.
• Talk about one of the earliest internet phenomena.
• How did the first memes appear on the internet?
• Write about a web cartoon that qualifies as an internet phenomenon.

✍️ Pop Culture Analysis Topics to Write About

Pop culture includes many components you could write about. For an analytical paper, feel free to pick any aspect of pop culture. You can focus on positive, negative, or controversial factors. Make sure to use academic resources and professional critique. Here are some topic examples of your future paper.

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• How does pop culture impact public health?
• Analyze Coca Cola marketing strategies from the sensory perspective.
• Will the entertainment industry survive without encouraging predatory behavior?
• What percentage of the U.S. population is currently involved with pop culture ?
• Analyze a popular culture artifact of your choice.
• What makes a pop song relatable?
• Why is popular literature often made into films?
• How does Instagram affect people’s lives?
• Will your generation be drawn to pop culture decades from now?
• How can one become famous in the age of informational overload?
• Analyze the price one is paying for remaining popular.

• Why do some classic paintings become a commodity?
• Write about a person who significantly impacted T.V.
• Pick a T.V. show and analyze its rise to popularity.
• Discover how one becomes an influencer.
• Do video games have any positive effects?
• In what ways does politics influence pop culture?
• How necessary is funding for the pop industry?
• Why have memes become a popular form of communication?
• What things should celebrities stop promoting?
• Analyze YouTube’s contributions to pop culture.
• Talk about the important messages in current pop music.
• What catches the attention of modern consumers?
• How did the 2020 pandemic influence pop culture?
• What happens to famous artists who quit their career?

🤔 Popular Culture and Social Issues Essay Topics

Pop culture reveals social issues and creates new ones. In your paper, consider various aspects of society. Think about popular culture’s effect on different generations, languages, or values. The following list will help you select an interesting essay topic.

• Describe ways in which pop culture divides social groups.
• Do pop songs represent the voice of society?
• What social issues does pop music contribute to?
• Analyze the media’s influence on women’s self-image.
• How does an expectation of the zombie apocalypse affect the Americans?
• The impact of T.V. shows on self-realization amongst teenagers.
• Does popular literature disconnect teenagers from society?
• Why do people incorporate fictional characters in protest marches?
• What do modern toys teach children about body image ?
• Did pop culture contribute to social unrest in the U.S.?
• Discover the way popular movies contribute to discrimination .
• In what ways do memes influence public opinion?
• Analyze the effects of mass media on one’s sexuality.
• Examine the impact of YouTube on young adults’ career choices.
• Does pop culture promote promiscuous behavior?
• Describe the way modern movies stigmatize obesity.
• What family values are projected in today’s mass media?
• Explore the harming side of fandoms .
• Does mainstream media sabotage social norms or encourage them?
• Do pop songs encourage rebellious behavior amongst teens?
• What kind of lesson does pop culture teach about gender?
• Correlation between mobile games and the overuse of display devices.
• Discover stereotypes that are prevalent in the pop industry nowadays.
• Analyze the effect of television on bullying .
• In what light does pop culture portray religion?

We hope you found this article helpful and choose an excellent topic for your assignment. Now go ahead and write an A+ essay on pop culture!

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Philosophy and the Interpretation of Pop Culture

William Irwin and Jorge J. E. Gracia (eds.), Philosophy and the Interpretation of Pop Culture , Rowman and Littlefield, 2007, 297pp., $28.95 (pbk), ISBN 9780742551756.

Reviewed by Sarah Worth, Furman University

Much has been written about the relationship between philosophy and pop culture in the last few years.   Beginning with William Irwin's edited collection Seinfeld and Philosophy: A book about Everything and Nothing (Open Court, 1999), adding The Simpson's and Philosophy: the Doh of Homer (Open Court, 2001) and on to Buffy the Vampire Slayer , the Matrix , Superheroes, Baseball, Star Wars , Harry Potter , and South Park among many others, the field has exploded with philosophical interpretations of our favorite popular topics.   All told at this point there are thirty-five collections on various aspects of popular culture and its relationship to and interpretation of philosophical issues (twenty-five by Open Court and ten by Blackwell).   These books are indeed very popular as well, being some of the first philosophy titles to hit the best seller list.   I became painfully aware of how well they have permeated even the lay reader when I was teaching an Introduction to Philosophy course recently.   I asked a student if there was anything she knew for certain as we started talking about Descartes.   She replied "I have read the Matrix and Philosophy , so I know what you are looking for -- of course I don't know anything for certain ."   Whatever one's liking is for relating the substantive, serious, classic philosophical issues to the fluff of popular culture, these books have made some serious inroads to connecting philosophers and philosophy to the "real world."

Philosophy and the Interpretation of Pop Culture is an edited collection resulting from a conference on the topic held in Buffalo in April, 2004.   From the list of contributors alone it is clear that this is an issue that is getting some serious attention by the world of academic philosophy.   Heavy hitters such as Noël Carroll, Ted Cohen, Richard Shusterman, Jorge Gracia, and Gareth Matthews are all contributors to the volume.   What I think is especially notable about the list of contributors more generally is that they are not all aestheticians, but are well-known philosophers in an array of fields.   But this collection is not just another group of essays connecting various aspects of popular culture to philosophical topics.   This is meta-philosophy of pop culture -- philosophy about philosophy of pop culture.   For this reason, it stands apart from the other books, which examine philosophy through some particular aspect of pop culture.   As Irwin says in the introduction, philosophy as a discipline has "had a public relations problem for a couple of centuries now, so engagement with popular culture is not an opportunity we can afford to miss" (3).   This collection examines carefully how we might best cultivate this developing relationship between philosophical insight and popular culture in an interesting and effective way.

The book is divided into two sections: the first on "Philosophy and Popular Culture," and the second on "Interpretation and Popular Art Forms."   The first deals with the theoretical issues, concerns, and limitations of the interaction of the two fields, and the second includes essays in which philosophers deal with a specific artistic medium of popular culture.   These media include television, horror films, children's literature, comic books, Rock' n' Roll, and photography.   I found the first section considerably more interesting and useful than the second, as it dealt with the meta-issues of what the possibilities are with the courting of philosophy and popular culture in general.   The books on the various popular topics "and philosophy" for the most part do not deal with the theoretical issues that concern the limitations of the philosophical use of popular culture, so these essays are particularly helpful in considering the value of doing this kind of philosophy.   The second half of the collection focuses less on theoretical issues generally than on issues of interpretation that arise within particular genres of popular art.   Although some might assume that popular art might be more transparent than high art and is in no need of interpretation, Irwin suggests in his introduction that this view is mistaken.   The hermeneutic issues raised here are not necessarily novel ones, but as they are raised here they give the reader a good sense of how some of the classic problems in philosophy (and in particular in aesthetics) get fleshed out when applied in a new way.   These essays are particularly helpful in understanding the unique issues connected with each medium.   I will give a short summary of the issues dealt with in each of the essays in what follows.

Carolyn Korsmeyer, in her essay "Philosophy and the Probable Impossible," deals with the epistemological question of whether art itself (or in this case popular entertainment) can do philosophy.   She questions specifically the kinds of examples from which we might learn.   She suggests that it is not only the classic literary texts that we might gain ethical and aesthetic insight from, but the "probable impossible" plots that we get from popular culture.   She develops an extended analysis of the television show Angel (the sequel to Buffy the Vampire Slayer ) as an example of a successful analogy of Simone de Beauvoir's Ethics of Ambiguity .   Korsmeyer argues that "the closer union of [stories and philosophical positions] is indicated by the fact that a well-developed philosophical position in a story makes the story better -- not just more educational, but better narrative art " (27).   She continues by suggesting that "if philosophical essays are clarified and made persuasive with the judicious inclusion of illustrative examples to explain and convince (and most certainly they are), it is also the case that a story is made stronger and more compelling if the philosophy it evinces is presented thoughtfully and thoroughly as well as clearly" (27-8).   I think this essay is by far the strongest in the collection.   Not only does Korsmeyer show her reader what use popular culture can be to philosophers, she does interesting and effective philosophy herself while making her argument.

Bill Irwin's contribution to the volume, beyond his general introduction, does a good job of establishing the terrain over which the relationship between philosophy and popular culture has, will, and could tread productively.   He uses the essay to define a number of terms relating to this burgeoning relationship between philosophy and popular culture.   He discusses the relationship between high, low, popular, mass, bad, intellectual, and classical art.   Ultimately, his essay is very useful for defining the terms, both literally and figuratively, of the discussion and use of popular culture by philosophy.   Irwin also makes an excellent case for why we, as philosophers, can use popular culture to get people interested in and excited about philosophy.   Philosophy is not popular culture, but Irwin argues, we can "start with popular culture and use it to bring people to philosophy" (47).

Ted Gracyk discusses allusion and distinguishes between artistic and non-artistic kinds of references.   He suggests that artistic allusion does not have to be intentional, although it can be.   He employs the standards in the field, positioning himself in reference to Beardsley, Pucci, and Grice on theories of reference.   Gracyk argues that "allusions involve both illocutionary and perlocutionary intentions, and the pleasure that comes from recognition of an illusion is not always resolved in the immediate recognition of its significance" (82).   In the end, Gracyk points out that it may be a familiarity with alluding that gives many people an entrance point into art to which they might not otherwise have any cognitive access.

Noël Carroll's contribution doesn't stray far from his standard positions on narrative and our engagement with fictional characters.   In this essay he argues clearly and effectively against the theories of identification and of simulation as explanations of how we feel for the fictional.   He dismisses both on the basis that they assume that "the audience's relationships to fictional characters, especially protagonists, involve sharing the self same or nearly the same emotions that the characters suffer" (109).   Carroll argues that this is rarely, if ever, the case.   He suggests alternatively that we have a "pro-attitude" (one that is made of care, concern, or sympathy) toward the fictional characters with whom we engage.

In questioning what it means to have good taste and whether it can be meaningfully applied to pop culture, or even high art, Ted Cohen inquires into what it means for us to make a judgment of aesthetic preference which includes the phrase "better than."   For example, is there aesthetic justification for saying that the Goldberg Variations are "better than" the Simpsons?   Cohen argues that the claim is groundless since there is not necessarily anything in common between the two to be used as a basis of comparison.   Ultimately, Cohen argues a familiar point (one he has made well in "High and Low thinking about High and Low Art" in the Journal of Aesthetics and Art Criticism 51:2, Spring, 1993): that what connects us to various and varied works of art is not that there is something common to all of them that we like (we have, he suggests, little consistency of taste); rather, aesthetic communities connect us to one another.   The community that connects me to the other appreciators of the Goldberg Variations is not the same community of appreciators that connects me to the Simpsons.   Since the connection is among the appreciators and not the objects of appreciation, the basis of comparison of works is limited at best.   Although this is a familiar argument for Cohen, I think the article is particularly effective in fleshing out some of the current thinking about aesthetic judgment.

Appealing to his pragmatist roots, Richard Shusterman draws helpful analogies between intrinsic and instrumental values, and entertainment (pop culture) and high art.   Ultimately, he argues for a "transactional" form of value which changes (sometimes rapidly, sometimes slowly) as the culture changes.   Music of the 80s, for example, was fresh and exciting at the time.   Now it is considered "retro" and our ability to appreciate it may not have lessened, but the context has changed.   Shusterman does a nice job problematizing the concept of "entertainment value."

In his essay on television, Paul Cantor deals with some of the philosophical problems related to joint authorship.   With television and movies there is anything but a single author.   So how are intentions to be ascribed?   How is praise and blame to be handed out?   This essay, based largely on his book, Gilligan Unbound:   Pop Culture in the Age of Globalization (Rowman and Littlefield, 2001), points out that the notion of the single creative genius has been passed down to us from the Romantic era, but also from what Cantor calls the "perfect plan."   That is, the Christian tradition of a single creator.   Cantor explains that "according to this view, for any kind of meaningful structure to come into being and function, it must be the work of a single designer, who can bring all its elements into harmony" (175).   Cantor argues effectively against this "central planner" and for what he calls "spontaneous order."   The essay is a nice justification for the philosophical effectiveness of television shows that are commercially successful.

Jorge Gracia's essay on six different film interpretations of Bram Stoker's Dracula (1897) was a bit much to take for a non-Dracula fan.   He addresses three questions of interpretation:   first, do the six films he discusses justifiably get classified as interpretations?   Second, if they are interpretations, what kind of interpretations are they?   And third, what can the answers to the first two questions provide for understanding other kinds of interpretations of popular works (187)?   Although the questions of interpretation are important ones, the depth of the philosophical significance gets lost among the details of the six films Gracia discusses.   Ultimately Gracia grapples with a question that many movie-going-non-philosophers grapple with every day:   how and in what way is the movie related to the text it was based on, and what do we make of the interpretive choices that do not belong to the literary author?

Gareth Matthews is one of the founders of the field known as philosophy for children (P4C).   In his contribution he spells out some of the standard positions of P4C.   First, children's stories can be used as vehicles of and for philosophy.   Second, we have to give up the illusion of "adult authority."   And third, no one is better equipped than Socrates to be a teacher of such a method.   That is, listening to those around us (both children and adults) we flesh out meanings for ourselves.   Matthews' contribution is effective and elucidating concerning some of the most basic philosophical problems that parents deal with every day.

James South follows nicely Matthews' essay with one of his own on the related topic of comic books and graphic novels.   South uses the example of Batman's Gotham City to question how it is that we can or should live under "conditions of damage" (corrupt government).   He appeals to "fugitive ethics" according to which, "promises are paradigmatic" (236).   Ultimately, South shows how Batman, Batgirl and Catwoman, who have no particular superpowers (just gadgets and costumes), are able to subvert the dominant paradigm of a corrupt capitalism to do the morally difficult but decent thing.

Although rock'n'roll is not known for its self-reflective, contemplative nature, Michael Baur uses Don McLean's 1971 anthem "American Pie" to show that this does not necessarily have to be the case.   I found this article interesting, but it seemed to me to be too much the analysis of a single, unique song, rather than a demonstration of how the argument about popular music, and rock'n'roll in particular, can be applied more widely.

The last contribution to the volume considers the role of photography in relation to reality.   Peter Hare fleshes out the question of how, epistemologically, one can know or learn from a photograph.   Photography has been "popular" since its inception, primarily because of its accessibility, and as our ability to manipulate images has become ever so much available, the truth in pictures has become more "flexible," as Hare explains.

In the end, I think this collection is a worthwhile companion for philosophers who might question the merit of appealing to popular culture or those who are looking for explicit philosophical defenses for the proliferation of books which use popular culture to address philosophical problems.   I would definitely add this to a collection of popular culture and philosophy resources, or use it to start a collection that all philosophers -- especially those who want to be able to relate to their students -- need to start.

Breaking the Academic Stigma Surrounding Pop Culture Studies

Joe darowski argues that pop culture can have as much literary value as traditional canon..

Funko Pop figurines and comic books—not what most people expect to see on a professor’s office shelf. But these are the tools of the trade for Professor Joe Darowski (English). The English Department’s recent decision to add Media and Culture Studies as one of the new English major tracks has sparked interest in the legitimacy of studying pop culture in a university setting. Dr. Darowski’s expertise in this area as an adjunct professor specializing in contemporary American pop culture and media studies gives him a unique perspective to comment on these debates. He believes that pop culture deserves to be seen as a legitimate academic field, and that students will find value in studying it at the university level.

What Does Pop Culture Contain?

Pop culture includes any mass-produced and mass-consumed entertainment. Darowski explains that academics who study pop culture apply the same critical and analytical skills and theories to pop culture objects such as graphic texts, film, and merchandise as they would apply to a traditional text.

Many cultural aspects of society disappear over time: clothing trends, current events, slang, types of humor, popular sentiment. Pop culture preserves those aspects like a time capsule, showing the culture of a specific time and place that mainstream media of the time often misses. Pop culture tends to address taboo topics and be more representative of what people really think. It also includes new forms of media that haven’t become commonly accepted yet, such as comic books, graphic novels, and slam poetry. The study of pop culture can reveal all this preserved information about society.

What Is the Debate Surrounding Pop Culture?

Many academics question if pop culture merits dedicated scholarship and teaching. There are always quite a few English classes that focus on classic works that have been granted a place in the Norton Anthology —Shakespeare, Chaucer and so on. Classes that teach about pop culture specifically are less common. Some scholars are hesitant to teach pop culture because of its popularity, implying that what is appealing to a large audience must not be technically difficult or worthy of deeper analysis.

Professor Jamie Horrocks (English) became interested in pop culture studies when Darowski moved into the office next to hers. When she heard that Darowski studied comic books she became curious about the academic legitimacy of Darowski’s work. Through many back-and-forth discussions, Dr. Horrocks came to accept the value of pop culture. She and her colleague Professor Dennis Cutchins (English) discussed the value of pop culture, and Horrocks brought up how all literature began as pop culture. She used the genre elevation of the novel as an example. The novel was not always the legitimate form of literature that we see it as today. Horrocks says, “Novels were so trashy. When the novel was first invented it was the equivalent of a TikTok video. But today they are the primary literary format genre.” In this same way, pop culture that we see as trashy today may become a respected piece of literature in the future.

Why Is Pop Culture Valuable?

Darowski says, “[Pop culture] is such a force in American culture that it would be strange not to talk about it. The sheer number of people watching Marvel movies is impressive. Such movies start to become deeply personal for fans through repeated viewing, cosplay, and so on. Trying to understand why those movies are resonating to that degree with audiences is worthwhile.”

In considering why pop culture is worth studying, Dr. Cutchins points out that Shakespeare wrote plays the common man could enjoy. Both Shakespeare and Chaucer were the great pop artists of their contemporary cultures, yet we still find their work has literary value today. Similarly, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin (another pop culture icon) became American literary canon that we still study. Cutchins believes pop culture has an inherent value that is often obscured by its initial popularity.

Drawing an example of what he means from a classic Star Trek scene, Cutchins explains that “Spock returns to earth in our time (hundreds of years in his past) and sees a trashy novel, picks it up, and says, ‘Ah, the classics.’” A movie, comic book, or other form of pop culture may not be seen as valuable in the moment of its creation. But over time, it may rise in critical value. Darowski’s specialty is that he can see the value in a work at the time of its creation and popularity.

How Do We Measure Value?

Cutchins says, “It is bizarre and unaccountable how certain texts become important over time.” He explains that we measure the value of a piece of media in several ways, including the number of viewers, the profit generated, the time since creation, inclusion in literary anthologies, and the number of college courses taught about it. But how does the authority of seven million viewers stack up against the authority of the Norton Anthology ? Both indicate value in different spheres, academia versus public opinion, and they don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Some texts cross the divide and become both popular and seen as legitimate; for example, Maus is both a graphic novel and canonized in the Norton Anthology .

Darowski mentions how pop culture’s value can also be measured by what it teaches us about the time period of its creation. For example, why has Superman survived for over eighty years as a pop culture icon, and what does each new incarnation of his character say about us? Studying the Superman story told during World War II, the Superman story told during the Cold War, and the Superman story told post-September 11 reveals different values in each generation. Enduring stories share important messages about the people who perpetuate them, and these messages give pop culture value. Analyzing current pop culture can teach us valuable lessons about ourselves.

Why Should You Study Pop Culture?

When Darowski hands out his final paper assignment in his Writing 150 class, in which he emphasizes pop culture, he says, “There are probably a dozen different majors in this class. You are all going to do different things with your lives. I can’t give you a final assignment that is going to be applicable to every one of your majors, but most of you are going to go to a movie or watch TV again in your life after this. I’m giving you a tool set to think more deeply about the media that you are consuming, the entertainment you are choosing to pass your time with. I think that is a tool set everyone should have.”

Pop culture is everywhere—in our news media, film, music, advertising, local restaurants and grocery stores, on the radio, and in conversations with friends. So when you do come across pop culture, treat it like canonical literature, take a long look to see the nuanced messages it shares. You might be surprised at what you find.

You can learn more by listening to Joe Darowski’s weekly podcast called The Protagonist Podcast , where he discusses great characters from great stories.

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Taraji P. Henson Blown Away By ‘TIME’ 2024 Most Influential People List Honoree Fantasia: ‘The Sky’s The Limit’

The "Color Purple" star made the list alongside Jack Antonoff, Dua Lipa, Patrick Mahomes, 21 Savage, Kylie Minogue, Burna Boy and America Ferrara, among others.

By Gil Kaufman

Gil Kaufman

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“When I met her years later, I learned that she’s a Cancer — sweet and sensitive but with a quiet strength. You can feel it in her presence, and you can hear it in her powerful voice,” Henson added. “When she sings, she transcends. It’s like she goes somewhere else and you just have to go with her.”

Oscar nominee Henson called Fantasia “living testimony” that we are all going through our own personal “storms,” saying that after the tempest has tamed the sun comes out and “whatever comes next for her will be so beautiful. She deserves everything. I see such big things for Fantasia – the sky’s the limit. Well, beyond the sky for her. It’s her time.”

This year’s list features a number of other singers (cover star Dua Lipa honored by punk godmother Patti Smith), 21 Savage (by Burna Boy), Jack Antonoff (by Maren Morris), Kylie Minogue (by Coldplay’s Chris Martin), Leslie Odom Jr. (by Kate Hudson), Burna Boy (Angélique Kidjo) and James McBride (by Ethan Hawke).

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Guest Essay

The Troubling Trend in Teenage Sex

By Peggy Orenstein

Ms. Orenstein is the author of “Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent and Navigating the New Masculinity” and “Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape.”

Debby Herbenick is one of the foremost researchers on American sexual behavior. The director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at Indiana University and the author of the pointedly titled book “Yes, Your Kid,” she usually shares her data, no matter how explicit, without judgment. So I was surprised by how concerned she seemed when we checked in on Zoom recently: “I haven’t often felt so strongly about getting research out there,” she told me. “But this is lifesaving.”

For the past four years, Dr. Herbenick has been tracking the rapid rise of “rough sex” among college students, particularly sexual strangulation, or what is colloquially referred to as choking. Nearly two-thirds of women in her most recent campus-representative survey of 5,000 students at an anonymized “major Midwestern university” said a partner had choked them during sex (one-third in their most recent encounter). The rate of those women who said they were between the ages 12 and 17 the first time that happened had shot up to 40 percent from one in four.

As someone who’s been writing for well over a decade about young people’s attitudes and early experience with sex in all its forms, I’d also begun clocking this phenomenon. I was initially startled in early 2020 when, during a post-talk Q. and A. at an independent high school, a 16-year-old girl asked, “How come boys all want to choke you?” In a different class, a 15-year-old boy wanted to know, “Why do girls all want to be choked?” They do? Not long after, a college sophomore (and longtime interview subject) contacted me after her roommate came home in tears because a hookup partner, without warning, had put both hands on her throat and squeezed.

I started to ask more, and the stories piled up. Another sophomore confided that she enjoyed being choked by her boyfriend, though it was important for a partner to be “properly educated” — pressing on the sides of the neck, for example, rather than the trachea. (Note: There is no safe way to strangle someone.) A male freshman said “girls expected” to be choked and, even though he didn’t want to do it, refusing would make him seem like a “simp.” And a senior in high school was angry that her friends called her “vanilla” when she complained that her boyfriend had choked her.

Sexual strangulation, nearly always of women in heterosexual pornography, has long been a staple on free sites, those default sources of sex ed for teens . As with anything else, repeat exposure can render the once appalling appealing. It’s not uncommon for behaviors to be normalized in porn, move within a few years to mainstream media, then, in what may become a feedback loop, be adopted in the bedroom or the dorm room.

Choking, Dr. Herbenick said, seems to have made that first leap in a 2008 episode of Showtime’s “Californication,” where it was still depicted as outré, then accelerated after the success of “Fifty Shades of Grey.” By 2019, when a high school girl was choked in the pilot of HBO’s “Euphoria,” it was standard fare. A young woman was choked in the opener of “The Idol” (again on HBO and also, like “Euphoria,” created by Sam Levinson; what’s with him ?). Ali Wong plays the proclivity for laughs in a Netflix special, and it’s a punchline in Tina Fey’s new “Mean Girls.” The chorus of Jack Harlow’s “Lovin On Me,” which topped Billboard’s Hot 100 chart for six nonconsecutive weeks this winter and has been viewed over 99 million times on YouTube, starts with, “I’m vanilla, baby, I’ll choke you, but I ain’t no killer, baby.” How-to articles abound on the internet, and social media algorithms feed young people (but typically not their unsuspecting parents) hundreds of #chokemedaddy memes along with memes that mock — even celebrate — the potential for hurting or killing female partners.

I’m not here to kink-shame (or anything-shame). And, anyway, many experienced BDSM practitioners discourage choking, believing it to be too dangerous. There are still relatively few studies on the subject, and most have been done by Dr. Herbenick and her colleagues. Reports among adolescents are now trickling out from the United Kingdom , Australia , Iceland , New Zealand and Italy .

Twenty years ago, sexual asphyxiation appears to have been unusual among any demographic, let alone young people who were new to sex and iffy at communication. That’s changed radically in a short time, with health consequences that parents, educators, medical professionals, sexual consent advocates and teens themselves urgently need to understand.

Sexual trends can spread quickly on campus and, to an extent, in every direction. But, at least among straight kids, I’ve sometimes noticed a pattern: Those that involve basic physical gratification — like receiving oral sex in hookups — tend to favor men. Those that might entail pain or submission, like choking, are generally more for women.

So, while undergrads of all genders and sexualities in Dr. Herbenick’s surveys report both choking and being choked, straight and bisexual young women are far more likely to have been the subjects of the behavior; the gap widens with greater occurrences. (In a separate study , Dr. Herbenick and her colleagues found the behavior repeated across the United States, particularly for adults under 40, and not just among college students.) Alcohol may well be involved, and while the act is often engaged in with a steady partner, a quarter of young women said partners they’d had sex with on the day they’d met also choked them.

Either way, most say that their partners never or only sometimes asked before grabbing their necks. For many, there had been moments when they couldn’t breathe or speak, compromising the ability to withdraw consent, if they’d given it. No wonder that, in a separate study by Dr. Herbenick, choking was among the most frequently listed sex acts young women said had scared them, reporting that it sometimes made them worry whether they’d survive.

Among girls and women I’ve spoken with, many did not want or like to be sexually strangled, though in an otherwise desired encounter they didn’t name it as assault . Still, a sizable number were enthusiastic; they requested it. It is exciting to feel so vulnerable, a college junior explained. The power dynamic turns her on; oxygen deprivation to the brain can trigger euphoria.

That same young woman, incidentally, had never climaxed with a partner: While the prevalence of choking has skyrocketed, rates of orgasm among young women have not increased, nor has the “orgasm gap” disappeared among heterosexual couples. “It indicates they’re not doing other things to enhance female arousal or pleasure,” Dr. Herbenick said.

When, for instance, she asked one male student who said he choked his partner whether he’d ever tried using a vibrator instead, he recoiled. “Why would I do that?” he asked.

Perhaps, she responded, because it would be more likely to produce orgasm without risking, you know, death.

In my interviews, college students have seen male orgasm as a given; women’s is nice if it happens, but certainly not expected or necessarily prioritized (by either partner). It makes sense, then, that fulfillment would be less the motivator for choking than appearing adventurous or kinky. Such performances don’t always feel good.

“Personally, my hypothesis is that this is one of the reasons young people are delaying or having less sex,” Dr. Herbenick said. “Because it’s uncomfortable and weird and scary. At times some of them literally think someone is assaulting them but they don’t know. Those are the only sexual experiences for some people. And it’s not just once they’ve gotten naked. They’ll say things like, ‘I’ve only tried to make out with someone once because he started choking and hitting me.’”

Keisuke Kawata, a neuroscientist at Indiana University’s School of Public Health, was one of the first researchers to sound the alarm on how the cumulative, seemingly inconsequential, sub-concussive hits football players sustain (as opposed to the occasional hard blow) were key to triggering C.T.E., the degenerative brain disease. He’s a good judge of serious threats to the brain. In response to Dr. Herbenick’s work, he’s turning his attention to sexual strangulation. “I see a similarity” to C.T.E., he told me, “though the mechanism of injury is very different.” In this case, it is oxygen-blocking pressure to the throat, frequently in light, repeated bursts of a few seconds each.

Strangulation — sexual or otherwise — often leaves few visible marks and can be easily overlooked as a cause of death. Those whose experiences are nonlethal rarely seek medical attention, because any injuries seem minor: Young women Dr. Herbenick studied mostly reported lightheadedness, headaches, neck pain, temporary loss of coordination and ear ringing. The symptoms resolve, and all seems well. But, as with those N.F.L. players, the true effects are silent, potentially not showing up for days, weeks, even years.

According to the American Academy of Neurology, restricting blood flow to the brain, even briefly, can cause permanent injury, including stroke and cognitive impairment. In M.R.I.s conducted by Dr. Kawata and his colleagues (including Dr. Herbenick, who is a co-author of his papers on strangulation), undergraduate women who have been repeatedly choked show a reduction in cortical folding in the brain compared with a never-choked control group. They also showed widespread cortical thickening, an inflammation response that is associated with elevated risk of later-onset mental illness. In completing simple memory tasks, their brains had to work far harder than the control group, recruiting from more regions to achieve the same level of accuracy.

The hemispheres in the choked group’s brains, too, were badly skewed, with the right side hyperactive and the left underperforming. A similar imbalance is associated with mood disorders — and indeed in Dr. Herbenick’s surveys girls and women who had been choked were more likely than others (or choked men) to have experienced overwhelming anxiety, as well as sadness and loneliness, with the effect more pronounced as the incidence rose: Women who had experienced more than five instances of choking were two and a half times as likely as those who had never been choked to say they had been so depressed within the previous 30 days they couldn’t function. Whether girls and women with mental health challenges are more likely to seek out (or be subjected to) choking, choking causes mood disorders, or some combination of the two is still unclear. But hypoxia, or oxygen deprivation — judging by what research has shown about other types of traumatic brain injury — could be a contributing factor. Given the soaring rates of depression and anxiety among young women, that warrants concern.

Now consider that every year Dr. Herbenick has done her survey, the number of females reporting extreme effects from strangulation (neck swelling, loss of consciousness, losing control of urinary function) has crept up. Among those who’ve been choked, the rate of becoming what students call “cloudy” — close to passing out, but not crossing the line — is now one in five, a huge proportion. All of this indicates partners are pressing on necks longer and harder.

The physical, cognitive and psychological impacts of sexual choking are disturbing. So is the idea that at a time when women’s social, economic, educational and political power are in ascent (even if some of those rights may be in jeopardy), when #MeToo has made progress against harassment and assault, there has been the popularization of a sex act that can damage our brains, impair intellectual functioning, undermine mental health, even kill us. Nonfatal strangulation, one of the most significant indicators that a man will murder his female partner (strangulation is also one of the most common methods used for doing so), has somehow been eroticized and made consensual, at least consensual enough. Yet, the outcomes are largely the same: Women’s brains and bodies don’t distinguish whether they are being harmed out of hate or out of love.

By now I’m guessing that parents are curled under their chairs in a fetal position. Or perhaps thinking, “No, not my kid!” (see: title of Dr. Herbenick’s book above, which, by the way, contains an entire chapter on how to talk to your teen about “rough sex”).

I get it. It’s scary stuff. Dr. Herbenick is worried; I am, too. And we are hardly some anti-sex, wait-till-marriage crusaders. But I don’t think our only option is to wring our hands over what young people are doing.

Parents should take a beat and consider how they might give their children relevant information in a way that they can hear it. Maybe reiterate that they want them to have a pleasurable sex life — you have already said that, right? — and also want them to be safe. Tell them that misinformation about certain practices, including choking, is rampant, that in reality it has grave health consequences. Plus, whether or not a partner initially requested it, if things go wrong, you’re generally criminally on the hook.

Dr. Herbenick suggests reminding them that there are other, lower-risk ways to be exploratory or adventurous if that is what they are after, but it would be wisest to delay any “rough sex” until they are older and more skilled at communicating. She offers language when negotiating with a new partner, such as, “By the way, I’m not comfortable with” — choking, or other escalating behaviors such as name-calling, spitting and genital slapping — “so please don’t do it/don’t ask me to do it to you.” They could also add what they are into and want to do together.

I’d like to point high school health teachers to evidence-based porn literacy curricula, but I realize that incorporating such lessons into their classrooms could cost them their jobs. Shafia Zaloom, a lecturer at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, recommends, if that’s the case, grounding discussions in mainstream and social media. There are plenty of opportunities. “You can use it to deconstruct gender norms, power dynamics in relationships, ‘performative’ trends that don’t represent most people’s healthy behaviors,” she said, “especially depictions of people putting pressure on someone’s neck or chest.”

I also know that pediatricians, like other adults, struggle when talking to adolescents about sex (the typical conversation, if it happens, lasts 40 seconds). Then again, they already caution younger children to use a helmet when they ride a bike (because heads and necks are delicate!); they can mention that teens might hear about things people do in sexual situations, including choking, then explain the impact on brain health and why such behavior is best avoided. They should emphasize that if, for any reason — a fall, a sports mishap or anything else — a young person develops symptoms of head trauma, they should come in immediately, no judgment, for help in healing.

The role and responsibility of the entertainment industry is a tangled knot: Media reflects behavior but also drives it, either expanding possibilities or increasing risks. There is precedent for accountability. The European Union now requires age verification on the world’s largest porn sites (in ways that preserve user privacy, whatever that means on the internet); that discussion, unsurprisingly, had been politicized here. Social media platforms have already been pushed to ban content promoting eating disorders, self-harm and suicide — they should likewise be pressured to ban content promoting choking. Traditional formats can stop glamorizing strangulation, making light of it, spreading false information, using it to signal female characters’ complexity or sexual awakening. Young people’s sexual scripts are shaped by what they watch, scroll by and listen to — unprecedentedly so. They deserve, and desperately need, models of interactions that are respectful, communicative, mutual and, at the very least, safe.

Peggy Orenstein is the author of “Boys & Sex: Young Men on Hookups, Love, Porn, Consent and Navigating the New Masculinity” and “Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape.”

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An earlier version of this article misstated the network on which “Californication” first appeared. It is Showtime, not HBO. The article also misspelled a book and film title. It is “Fifty Shades of Grey,” not “Fifty Shades of Gray.”

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DEADLINE EXTENDED! CALL FOR PAPERS: 2024 Southwest Popular/American Culture Conference Association (SWPACA) Summer Salon

DEADLINE EXTENDED!

Call for Papers

Southwest Popular / American Culture Association (SWPACA)

SWPACA Summer Salon

June 20-22, 2024

Virtual Conference

https://www.southwestpca.org

Proposal submission deadline: EXTENDED to April 22, 2024

Proposals for papers are now being accepted for the SWPACA Summer Salon. SWPACA offers nearly 70 subject areas in a variety of categories encompassing the following: Film, Television, Music, & Visual Media; Historic & Contemporary Cultures; Identities & Cultures; Language & Literature; Science Fiction & Fantasy; and Pedagogy & Popular Culture. For a full list of subject areas, area descriptions, and Area Chairs, please visit https://southwestpca.org/conference/call-for-papers/

All proposals must be submitted through the conference’s database at https://register.southwestpca.org/southwestpca

For details on using the submission database and on the application process in general, please see the Proposal Submission FAQs and Tips page at https://southwestpca.org/conference/faqs-and-tips/ Registration information for the conference will be available at https://southwestpca.org/conference/conference-registration-information/

Individual proposals for 15-minute papers must include an abstract of approximately 200-500 words. Including a brief bio in the body of the proposal form is encouraged, but not required. 

If you have any questions about the area you’d like to submit to, please contact us at [email protected] , and a member of the executive team will get back to you.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!