In the era of globalization, cultures and traditions play a crucial role in countries around the world. However, many local cultures and traditions are being influenced and, in some cases, replaced by international ones. This shift is largely due to the rising popularity of global trends, which have a significant impact on teenagers’ perspectives. The influence can be seen in the movies they prefer to watch and the styles they choose to adopt.
For example, in my country, Thailand, most teenagers have their own preferences when it comes to movies and music. Unfortunately, Thai films and songs are becoming less popular among this demographic, overshadowed by the new trends of Korean cinema and K-Pop music. Many young people are enamored with these new cultural phenomena, sometimes neglecting their own culture and traditions. Additionally, prominent singers and actors from other countries greatly influence teenagers’ choices in what to watch, sing, or listen to.
Consequently, Thai culture and traditions risk being abandoned, as there is a lack of effort to preserve the unique aspects of our heritage. Furthermore, media representation plays a significant role in shaping their preferences. From my perspective, while the emergence of these new trends can be positive by exposing young people to diverse cultures and traditions, it also has negative consequences if they fail to appreciate and preserve their own cultural roots.
Therefore, learning about international culture and tradition is an excellent way to acquire new knowledge and broaden one’s perspective. However, it is equally important to ensure that the essence of one’s own culture is preserved for future generations.