A knee-jerk reaction to this question could easily be a resounding no, accompanied by a comment on the order of, "...only old people listen to those guys." After days of measured thought on what influence Limbaugh, Beck, and O'Reilly might have on American teenagers, there is evidence that the correct answer to this question may be a counter intuitive yes.

Since Bill O'Reilly's television program, The Factor, has one of the oldest audiences in terms of demographics on television according to the Nielson Ratings, it might seem ridiculous to think that he could be influencing the 14 to 24 year old demographic. However, the constant panning of his, and other conservative pundits views by Steve Colbert and Jon Stewart gives him visibility on the teenager's radar. Indirectly, Comedy Central and SNL elevate noisy political pundits even as they make fun of them.

Television programs that are heavily watched by teenagers include The Family Guy, South Park, and other irreverent programs that have political agendas wrapped within clever satire that many adults find distasteful. It cannot be denied that Saturday Night Live elevated Sarah Palin to almost rock-star status for attracting large audiences equal to Barack Obama during the political campaign. Conservative and Liberal political pundits have all been lampooned often enough to be easily recognized by most teens.

Teenagers in America are quick to investigate anything that becomes part of their pop culture. That is the point at which they may be influenced by political pundits. Even though teens may laugh at, and ridicule these pundits, they also are exposed to concepts that may resonate to the ideas of their parents and grand parents. At the least, they are familiar with these pundits and may seek them out because of curiosity.

There is wisdom to the old expression that says, "acorns always fall close to the tree." In spite of teens' protests that they are not like their parents, the truth is that parental influence is strong as teens mature into the adults that they inevitably become. The adult audience of millions per day who listen to conservative pundits exert subtle influence on their teenagers. Parental views on politics are passed on to their children.

One other factor to the influences rendered upon American teenagers by conservative pundits may be found in the imagery provided by young soldiers returning from their tours of duty in military service. These young heroes receive some of their greatest support at the hands of conservative talk show hosts. That does not go unnoticed by young people who seek respect and recognition from those around them. Being respected, needed, and appreciated is not a negative to young Americans.

In this day of fractured families and few role models, it is not necessarily "uncool" to be seen as a patriotic, and politically informed young person. While many see teenagers as a large group without individual identities, the individuals that make up the group are not sheep following one specific idea. From them will emerge the next generation's version of O'Reilly, Hannity, Beck, and Limbaugh.

The lesson to be learned from answering the question posed is simple. It is impossible to live life without being influenced by everything encountered, including noisy commentators who challenge our way of thinking.

Learn more about this author, Bob Schmidt.
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