From Samba to Social Media: How Culture Shapes What We Believe

Stories, Heroes, and Memes: How Pop Culture Teaches Us Right from Wrong

What do TV characters, song lyrics, and digital influencers have in common? They're all reflections—and engines—of pop culture, this invisible force shaping our values, behaviors, and dreams. Let’s explore how it transforms us—and how we can harness it to educate, inspire, and evolve.

Pop culture is one of the most powerful forces shaping social values today. Since the beginning of time, humans have used myths, songs, dances, and storytelling to express emotions and organize social behavior. Today, that symbolic role has been inherited by TV shows, memes, reality series, video games, streaming content, social media, and, of course, all forms of popular artistic expression. But how does this actually work? How can a meme, a song, or a comic book hero influence what we think about family, respect, empathy, or courage?

Neuroscience tells us we learn through mirroring. Mirror neurons, discovered by Giacomo Rizzolatti in 1996, fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else doing it. When we watch a beloved character in action or hear a song that moves us, our brain responds as if we were living that experience ourselves. This means pop culture shapes our values not just with words, but with deep, often unconscious emotion. A child watching superheroes stand up for justice is more likely to value those same behaviors.

Did You Know? A 2023 Stanford University study found that children exposed to media with strong messages of empathy and cooperation are 32% more likely to display prosocial behaviors in school activities.

Pop culture is also a battleground of narratives. What does it mean to be a man? What defines a strong woman? What does success really look like? These questions are answered daily by influencers, sitcom characters, stand-up comedians, and animated films. How society interprets these messages can reinforce or dismantle stereotypes. According to a 2022 study in the Harvard Educational Review, teens exposed to diverse and inclusive media are more likely to develop tolerance and respect for others.

Practical Tip: Use films, music, and well-loved characters as conversation starters with kids and teens. Try activities like rewriting song lyrics, recreating movie scenes with alternate endings, or acting out dilemmas from shows to spark critical thinking.

In the classroom, innovative approaches like MAT—Mindset, Action, Theater—developed by educator Antônio Carlos dos Santos, tap into the power of pop culture to transform learning. The method starts by shifting the mindset, then encourages symbolic action, and finally channels those actions into theater and art. Learning, in this approach, begins in the body, flows through emotion, and connects through culture.

Complementing this, the Theater Movement (ThM) blends movement and role-playing to promote self-awareness and conflict resolution. When students reenact real-life scenarios inspired by pop culture, they begin to reinterpret their experiences and develop empathy. And the Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater brings complex issues like bullying and exclusion into schools and community spaces using humor, accessibility, and the power of play.

Motivational Quote: “Culture is not a mirror of the world—it’s a tool to change it.” — Augusto Boal

That’s why educators, parents, and communicators play a key role. Instead of rejecting pop culture, we must understand it and guide its impact. Instead of criticizing video games or social media, it’s more effective to ask: “What is this story teaching?”, “What values are being shared?”, and “How can I use this to help a young person become more thoughtful and compassionate?” When we understand the language of culture, we can truly connect with the next generation.

To make pop culture a partner in value formation, we must be intentional. Choose what we consume with care. Create educational experiences that promote reflection. Uplift local arts and voices. Culture is alive, ever-changing, and participatory. It’s not just entertainment—it’s how we build our shared world.

Final Message:
Pop culture is a powerful ally in education and in building a more humane society. It’s not about fighting cultural influences—it’s about learning to use them consciously, creatively, and purposefully. After all, to educate is to teach others how to see the world

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