Visual Analysis
Visual Analysis of Barnardo
The purpose of this visual analysis is to examine visuals, which we often do not question or analyze, and to identify the purposes and motivations behind their arguments. The following topics will be discussed in this analysis; audience characteristics, the argument the visual makes, how the creator of the visual presents the argument, and the rhetorical analysis of ethos, pathos, and logos as well as their strengths and weaknesses. The image was publicized by a charity called Barnardo’s; this charity campaigns to end child poverty, child abuse, sexual exploitation, and disability violence.
Purpose of the Image and its Message
The image displays a message that can be better understood by reading the text, “Abuse through prostitution steals children’s lives.” It is believed that in many of the cases, these involuntary actions take place in foreign areas such as South Asia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, and other countries. (“Restlessbeings.org” n.d.). The United States has a much smaller percentage of child prostitution cases and that is because the government and the people of society take action and spread awareness. By targeting the intended audience, the message of the visual will become more effective because it will be well known and it will cause motivation within society to learn more about this issue. The purpose of the image is to create an emotion to a reader and impulse them to make a difference. The message this image conveys is very straight forward, as it portrays the image of the body of a young girl with the face of an older woman; meaning her childhood was stolen due to prostitution.
Audience Characteristics
The image is most likely to be targeted towards those who are interested with the social issues of the world; those who have children; those who work with children; and also, anyone that is just trying to raise awareness for such an unfortunate issue. The attention that the audience gives to this topic is crucial because it can either promote awareness, or leave the topic alone and be unheard of. That’s why it is important to target those who are most like to join the cause and promote the awareness for child prostitution.
Ethos
The credibility of this image is high. It is eye opening that an issue like this actually does exist in the world. Not only is prostitution an issue, but also the unfortunate category of victims, children, who are unwilling to do these types of services for older people. Since the image is being supported by a charity with facts and resources, it makes the visual even more credible. The visual convinces the audience that this unfortunate social issue does exist and that innocent children are exposed to this type cruel life. Overall, the image itself portrays a strong message leaving it up to the audience if they want to participate in raising awareness for child prostitution.
Pathos
This visual might have different effects depending on the age of the audience. A small child might not understand the message of the visual as well as an adult or a teenager will. The message of this visual is strong enough to create some kind of emotion in the reader towards the children who are put through these situations day to day. Some of the audience might recognize the type of pain the children undergo physically and emotionally and it will have a bigger impact towards their emotions. Parents or guardians of small children might feel overwhelmed by the message because the image itself consists of a young child.
Logos
Persuading the audience by the use of reasoning within this visual does not require much thinking. It is obvious that there are many social issues in the world. It is logical that one of the most common reasons many children are being put through horrible situations like this one is because they are kidnapped and sold; they don’t have a choice. Countries such as India, South Africa, and South America, consist of large numbers of cases where children are sold for prostitution and are never found. The United States is one of the countries with the lowest percentage of human trafficking but this is also because society in this country is well aware of the topic. The logic of the visual is that children are big targets for this type of trafficking because they are young, innocent, and defenseless.
Conclusion
Overall, the message of this image does not create much controversy because most people are for promoting the awareness rather than standing against it. The creator designed this image with the young girl as the main focal point to represent the innocence of children, yet uses the face of an older woman to portray maturity. The creator of this visual also added what seems to be a middle aged man laying in the background to show the kinds of people that are involved with these crimes. Finally, the argument the visual makes is very straight forward as it includes text and a simple image that does not require much analyzing to understand. The visual argues “Abuse through prostitution steals children’s lives.” which is very logical. Not only are children enslaved to those kinds of jobs, but also lose their childhood. Child prostitution is a big social issue that is not yet well recognized around the world.
The purpose of this visual analysis is to examine visuals, which we often do not question or analyze, and to identify the purposes and motivations behind their arguments. The following topics will be discussed in this analysis; audience characteristics, the argument the visual makes, how the creator of the visual presents the argument, and the rhetorical analysis of ethos, pathos, and logos as well as their strengths and weaknesses. The image was publicized by a charity called Barnardo’s; this charity campaigns to end child poverty, child abuse, sexual exploitation, and disability violence.
Purpose of the Image and its Message
The image displays a message that can be better understood by reading the text, “Abuse through prostitution steals children’s lives.” It is believed that in many of the cases, these involuntary actions take place in foreign areas such as South Asia, Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, and other countries. (“Restlessbeings.org” n.d.). The United States has a much smaller percentage of child prostitution cases and that is because the government and the people of society take action and spread awareness. By targeting the intended audience, the message of the visual will become more effective because it will be well known and it will cause motivation within society to learn more about this issue. The purpose of the image is to create an emotion to a reader and impulse them to make a difference. The message this image conveys is very straight forward, as it portrays the image of the body of a young girl with the face of an older woman; meaning her childhood was stolen due to prostitution.
Audience Characteristics
The image is most likely to be targeted towards those who are interested with the social issues of the world; those who have children; those who work with children; and also, anyone that is just trying to raise awareness for such an unfortunate issue. The attention that the audience gives to this topic is crucial because it can either promote awareness, or leave the topic alone and be unheard of. That’s why it is important to target those who are most like to join the cause and promote the awareness for child prostitution.
Ethos
The credibility of this image is high. It is eye opening that an issue like this actually does exist in the world. Not only is prostitution an issue, but also the unfortunate category of victims, children, who are unwilling to do these types of services for older people. Since the image is being supported by a charity with facts and resources, it makes the visual even more credible. The visual convinces the audience that this unfortunate social issue does exist and that innocent children are exposed to this type cruel life. Overall, the image itself portrays a strong message leaving it up to the audience if they want to participate in raising awareness for child prostitution.
Pathos
This visual might have different effects depending on the age of the audience. A small child might not understand the message of the visual as well as an adult or a teenager will. The message of this visual is strong enough to create some kind of emotion in the reader towards the children who are put through these situations day to day. Some of the audience might recognize the type of pain the children undergo physically and emotionally and it will have a bigger impact towards their emotions. Parents or guardians of small children might feel overwhelmed by the message because the image itself consists of a young child.
Logos
Persuading the audience by the use of reasoning within this visual does not require much thinking. It is obvious that there are many social issues in the world. It is logical that one of the most common reasons many children are being put through horrible situations like this one is because they are kidnapped and sold; they don’t have a choice. Countries such as India, South Africa, and South America, consist of large numbers of cases where children are sold for prostitution and are never found. The United States is one of the countries with the lowest percentage of human trafficking but this is also because society in this country is well aware of the topic. The logic of the visual is that children are big targets for this type of trafficking because they are young, innocent, and defenseless.
Conclusion
Overall, the message of this image does not create much controversy because most people are for promoting the awareness rather than standing against it. The creator designed this image with the young girl as the main focal point to represent the innocence of children, yet uses the face of an older woman to portray maturity. The creator of this visual also added what seems to be a middle aged man laying in the background to show the kinds of people that are involved with these crimes. Finally, the argument the visual makes is very straight forward as it includes text and a simple image that does not require much analyzing to understand. The visual argues “Abuse through prostitution steals children’s lives.” which is very logical. Not only are children enslaved to those kinds of jobs, but also lose their childhood. Child prostitution is a big social issue that is not yet well recognized around the world.