Gratitude is the feeling of being thankful and appreciative, whether it's a general outlook on life or a response to a specific person, thing, or experience.
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Displaying grateful adolescent characters in media can positively influence young audiences by fostering empathy, cultivating an appreciation for their current circumstances, and encouraging a positive perspective on life.
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While gratitude can be seen as genuine appreciation and thankfulness, it can also be seen as a transaction or obligation, potentially causing feelings of indebtedness or a forced sense of appreciation. For example, marginalized groups might be expected to show gratitude for basic services or rights that should be given to everyone. Additionally, some boys and men may feel that showing gratitude makes them seem weak or vulnerable. It's important to understand that gratitude can be different for everyone and is impacted by lived experience. Sharing diverse experiences of gratitude can help people understand each other better. Therefore, media should authentically show how adolescents' humility is shaped by their experiences, with the goal of fostering understanding, respect, and equity among diverse communities.
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GRATITUDE
Thank you to the following Advisory Council members for helping put together this tip sheet: Jason Baehr, David Devries, Dr. Laurel Felt, Jill Hotchkiss, Dr. Marie-Louise Mares, Caroline Mehl, Hannah Minghella, and Jill Sanford
Thank you to the following research team for being a part of this project: Jasmine Baten, Mireille Karadanaian, and Marika Zappas
