Evaluate how cultural influences affect the health and wellbeing of young people in Australia today compared to previous generations. (8 marks)
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Evaluation Statement
- Cultural influences prove partially effective in supporting young Australian’s health compared to previous generations.
- This evaluation examines how living in a multicultural society promotes health and what effect social media has on these cultural influences for the current generation.
Multicultural exposure
- Today’s multicultural communities offer young Australians access to numerous traditional and modern health practices.
- Young people are often able to access traditional diets and healing practices alongside Western offerings. For example, young people today can gain exposure to Mediterranean diets, Asian mindfulness practices, and Indigenous connection to country.
- Previous generations experienced limited cultural health perspectives.
- While strong in broadening health understanding, cultural influences can also have a negative influence on mental health wellbeing. An example is the identity confusion for some young people who find managing multiple cultures difficult.
Cultural influences on health and social media
- Social media platforms are somewhat effective in promoting healthy behaviour through cultural movements.
- Evidence supporting this includes #fitspo and wellness trends rapidly changing exercise habits among youth. Mental health movements like R U OK? reach millions, normalising help-seeking behaviours impossible for previous generations.
- Although effective for spreading awareness, it proves less suitable for deep cultural understanding.
- Previous generations developed deeper connections through direct community involvement. Despite social media’s wider reach, it fails to achieve the depth of authentic cultural interaction.
Final Evaluation
- Weighing these factors shows cultural influences create mixed outcomes for today’s youth.
- The strengths however outweigh the weaknesses because increased cultural awareness provides more health resources than previous generations accessed.
- The overall evaluation demonstrates need for balance between digital exposure and authentic cultural engagement.
- Young Australians benefit from unprecedented cultural diversity but require guidance to navigate competing influences effectively.
Show Worked Solution
Evaluation Statement
- Cultural influences prove partially effective in supporting young Australian’s health compared to previous generations.
- This evaluation examines how living in a multicultural society promotes health and what effect social media has on these cultural influences for the current generation.
Multicultural exposure
- Today’s multicultural communities offer young Australians access to numerous traditional and modern health practices.
- Young people are often able to access traditional diets and healing practices alongside Western offerings. For example, young people today can gain exposure to Mediterranean diets, Asian mindfulness practices, and Indigenous connection to country.
- Previous generations experienced limited cultural health perspectives.
- While strong in broadening health understanding, cultural influences can also have a negative influence on mental health wellbeing. An example is the identity confusion for some young people who find managing multiple cultures difficult.
Cultural influences on health and social media
- Social media platforms are somewhat effective in promoting healthy behaviour through cultural movements.
- Evidence supporting this includes #fitspo and wellness trends rapidly changing exercise habits among youth. Mental health movements like R U OK? reach millions, normalising help-seeking behaviours impossible for previous generations.
- Although effective for spreading awareness, it proves less suitable for deep cultural understanding.
- Previous generations developed deeper connections through direct community involvement. Despite social media’s wider reach, it fails to achieve the depth of authentic cultural interaction.
Final Evaluation
- Weighing these factors shows cultural influences create mixed outcomes for today’s youth.
- The strengths however outweigh the weaknesses because increased cultural awareness provides more health resources than previous generations accessed.
- The overall evaluation demonstrates need for balance between digital exposure and authentic cultural engagement.
- Young Australians benefit from unprecedented cultural diversity but require guidance to navigate competing influences effectively.