FREE ESSAY ON DOES MEDIA VIOLENCE EFFECT SOCIETY

DOES MEDIA VIOLENCE EFFECT SOCIETY

Media is undoubtedly the greatest medium of communication in our society, but how does
media's portrayal of violence affect us as a whole? Is music's explicit lyrics and
televisions raunchy and violent content the cause of our downfall, or is it merely an
accurate depiction of today's society? 
"Two young males were fatally shot with multiple gun wounds to the head and chest", how
many times have we all heard these words on the evening news? Although the news is a
media to educate us on the goings on in the world, much of America chooses not to view
these daily programs due to the fact that most of it concentrates on violence. Though,
violence is not only limited the local news which merely exposes us to what actually
takes place, but what about the many violent television programs that frequent our
airwaves. With the eruption of professional wrestling, our children now view beating each
other up, breaking chairs, choke holding and the various other violent gimmicks used by
these wrestlers as an exciting norm. 
"Hasta La Vista Baby", the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger as he as he literally
annihilates a mall full of shoppers. These are the types of gruesome acts that moviegoers
pay millions of dollars a year to see. Do the R ratings attract us? Is it the gore that
we view on the TV previews? Or, is it the mentality that society has cultivated towards
violence? The more gruesome the movie, the more likely we are to run out to see it on
opening night. Our society is such that we tend to put on a pedestal the actors and
actresses that use profanity, expose themselves and are more violent on the silver
screen. Ultimately sex and violence sells, and in this society the almighty dollar is of
utmost importance.
Parents cannot stop children from witnessing the harsh realities of society, violence,
sex and crime. However, it is their role as parents to enforce a strong sense of
morality. What a cruel world we live in when even the cartoons viewed by our youth are
plagued with murder and violence. How can we fight the cruelties portrayed on TV and in
the movies, when it has become a true part of our society? 
People are not born with the inept ability to know right from wrong. A wide variety of
factors determine a person's moral. Religion, culture, environment and society all play
important roles in how a person will develop. Though ultimately, it is the family and the
parents in particular, that instills the moral fiber of an individual. However, in this
society we have witnessed many incidents where although a person may have the "proper
upbringing", the negative effects of TV and media, has manifest itself into violence,
criminal behavior and other unacceptable conduct. 
Although as stated previously, violent movies and TV shows produce high ratings, highly
paid actors, and a forum for us to escape the so called "realities of life", but what are
the long term consequences? Can it be that after many years of producing and viewing
violence, we are cultivating a society of criminal minded individuals? If we could
compare the way that society was prior to television, would we be able to see a
difference in social behavior? Can we then venture to say that although technology has
been a positive attribute, to what extent has it affected society negatively?
Nevertheless, television and media quenches our societies thirst for adventure and danger
and allows us to witness firsthand the violence that is among us. But the question is
"how far is too far".
Media is undoubtedly the greatest medium of communication in our society, but how does
media's portrayal of violence affect us as a whole? Is music's explicit lyrics and
televisions raunchy and violent content the cause of our downfall, or is it merely an
accurate depiction of today's society? 
"Two young males were fatally shot with multiple gun wounds to the head and chest", how
many times have we all heard these words on the evening news? Although the news is a
media to educate us on the goings on in the world, much of America chooses not to view
these daily programs due to the fact that most of it concentrates on violence. Though,
violence is not only limited the local news which merely exposes us to what actually
takes place, but what about the many violent television programs that frequent our
airwaves. With the eruption of professional wrestling, our children now view beating each
other up, breaking chairs, choke holding and the various other violent gimmicks used by
these wrestlers as an exciting norm. 
"Hasta La Vista Baby", the famous words of Arnold Schwarzenegger as he as he literally
annihilates a mall full of shoppers. These are the types of gruesome acts that moviegoers
pay millions of dollars a year to see. Do the R ratings attract us? Is it the gore that
we view on the TV previews? Or, is it the mentality that society has cultivated towards
violence? The more gruesome the movie, the more likely we are to run out to see it on
opening night. Our society is such that we tend to put on a pedestal the actors and
actresses that use profanity, expose themselves and are more violent on the silver
screen. Ultimately sex and violence sells, and in this society the almighty dollar is of
utmost importance.
Parents cannot stop children from witnessing the harsh realities of society, violence,
sex and crime. However, it is their role as parents to enforce a strong sense of
morality. What a cruel world we live in when even the cartoons viewed by our youth are
plagued with murder and violence. How can we fight the cruelties portrayed on TV and in
the movies, when it has become a true part of our society? 
People are not born with the inept ability to know right from wrong. A wide variety of
factors determine a person's moral. Religion, culture, environment and society all play
important roles in how a person will develop. Though ultimately, it is the family and the
parents in particular, that instills the moral fiber of an individual. However, in this
society we have witnessed many incidents where although a person may have the "proper
upbringing", the negative effects of TV and media, has manifest itself into violence,
criminal behavior and other unacceptable conduct. 
Although as stated previously, violent movies and TV shows produce high ratings, highly
paid actors, and a forum for us to escape the so called "realities of life", but what are
the long term consequences? Can it be that after many years of producing and viewing
violence, we are cultivating a society of criminal minded individuals? If we could
compare the way that society was prior to television, would we be able to see a
difference in social behavior? Can we then venture to say that although technology has
been a positive attribute, to what extent has it affected society negatively?
Nevertheless, television and media quenches our societies thirst for adventure and danger
and allows us to witness firsthand the violence that is among us. But the question is
"how far is too far".