The Effects of Tv

The effects of movies and TV programs violence in society

Name: Nguyen Thi Thuy Duong

Abstract

The violence in films and on TV contributes to violence in society. Television, movies, and video games are a big part of children 's lives in today 's technologically advanced society. Most people look at television as an entertaining and educational way to spend time, some people think there is a lot of violence in television and that is influencing our young into becoming aggressive in nature and to tolerate violence. TV affects seriously to children of different ages in different ways.

Outline

I. Introduction Thesis statement: The violence in films and on TV contributes to violence in society II. Television - the greatest source of visual violence for children III. Effects’ Television in different ways IV. Encourage aggressive behavior V. Conclusion

The effects of movies and TV programs violence in society

How life has changed. A 1994 poll found more than half the children questioned said they were afraid of violent crime against them or a family member. Are these kids just paranoid, or is there a real problem? Well, life has indeed become more violent and more dangerous for children. Consider the following statistics: One in six youths between the ages of 10 and 17 has seen or knows someone who has been shot. The estimated number of child abuse victims increased 40 percent between 1985 and 1991. Children under 18 were 244 percent more likely to be killed by guns in 1993 than they were in 1986. Violent crime has increased by more than 560 percent since 1960. Most people look at television as an entertaining and educational way to spend time, some people think there is a lot of violence in television and that is influencing our young into becoming aggressive in nature and to tolerate violence. Now scientists have discovered that all the violence in television can in fact mold a young innocent person into becoming a monster right under our eyes, just by watching television. Does the violence in films and on TV contribute to violence in society? This question has been debated for decades. During that time some 2,500 books and articles have been written on the effects of TV and film violence on human behavior. The results of one of the most extensive studies ever done on the subject of violence and TV were released in 2003. Although most people look at television as an entertaining and educational way to spend time, some people think there is too much violence in television and that is influencing our young into becoming aggressive in nature and to tolerate violence. Researchers followed 329 subjects over 15 years. They found that those who as children were exposed to violent TV shows were much more likely to later be convicted of crime. Researchers said that, "Media violence can affect any child from any family," regardless of social class or parenting. Television in the home is the greatest source of visual violence for children. The average child watches 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing elementary school. That number more than doubles by the time he or she reaches age 18. First of all, when children see characters on TV or in movies triumph by using physical force, they begin to see violence as an acceptable way of resolving conflicts. As a result, children use physical or verbal abuse toward others on the playground or at school. Some parents often worry that their children will not fit in with their friends if they do not watch popular children 's television programs. The same 20-year research tell us that children who watch more violent television are actually rated more poorly by their peers. Also, according to Dr. Jeanne Beckman, children who spend more time watching violent TV programming are rated more poorly by their teachers, their peers, have few problem-solving skills, and are more likely to get into trouble with the law as teenagers and young adults. Secondly, children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. Viewing violence encourages children to see other people as enemies rather than as individuals with thoughts and feelings like themselves. Children who cannot put themselves in others ' shoes may become less desirable playmates. One perfect example that supports this idea is the Columbine High School tragedy in which two young men opened fire, detonated bombs, and killed several school mates and teachers. Two of the many causes for their rampage were watching the movie the Matrix and not feeling any remorse for their predicted actions Finally, by viewing violent acts on television, a child 's already limited ability to differentiate between right and wrong, good and bad, and reality and fiction is weakened due to the simple fact that they are not yet able to do so very well. After many television encounters with violence, the child may come to believe that violence is a part of everyday life in the real world. Television violence affects children of different ages in different ways. The effect depends on their level of understanding, the way they interpret and process information and their own experiences and upbringing. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids under 2 years of age should not watch television and those older than 2 should not be allowed to watch more than 1 to 2 hours a day of good TV shows. Television, or any media for that matter can shape child behavior. Audio-visual media have the potential to influence a child 's mind and make the child follow what he/she sees, without much thought. It 's high time the elders realize this and restrict TV exposure of children. The violent content of TV includes more than just the 22 minute programs sent down by the networks. At a very young age, children are seeing a level of violence and mayhem that in the past may have only been witnessed by a few police officers and military personnel. TV brings hitting, kicking, stabbings, shootings, and dismemberment right into homes on a daily basis. University of Illinois psychologist Leonard Eron studied children at age eight and then again at eighteen. He found that television habits established at the age of eight influenced aggressive behavior through childhood and adolescent years. Twenty years later Eron and Rowell Huesmann found the pattern continued. He and his researchers found that children who watched significant amounts of TV violence at the age of 8 were consistently more likely to commit violent crimes or engage in child or spouse abuse at 30. Since their report in the 1980s, MTV has come on the scene with even more troubling images. Adolescents already listen to an estimated 10,500 hours of rock music between the 7th and 12th grades. Now they also spend countless hours in front of MTV seeing the visual images of rock songs that depict violence, rebellion, sadomasochism, the occult, drug abuse, and promiscuity. MTV reaches 57 million cable households, and its video images are even more lurid than the ones shown on regular TV. Music videos filled with sex, rape, murder, and other images of mayhem assault the senses. And MTV cartoons like Beavis and "the other guy" assault the sensibilities while enticing young people to start fires and commit other acts of violence. Critics count 18 acts of violence in each hour of MTV videos. Violent images on television and in the movies do contribute to greater violence in society. Sociological studies along with common sense dictate that we do something to reduce the violence in the media before it further damages society. In conclusion, violence is the scourge of our society, but we can make a difference. We must educate ourselves about its influence and impact on our lives.

References

Silver. M (1995, May). TV violence. P 34,35
Jenish, D. (1992, December). Prime – Time violence. P 40,44
Schwartzberg, N. (1987, June). What TV does to kids. P 100,107

References: Silver. M (1995, May). TV violence. P 34,35 Jenish, D. (1992, December). Prime – Time violence. P 40,44 Schwartzberg, N. (1987, June). What TV does to kids. P 100,107