MEDIA THE LEADING CAUSE OF VIOLENCE IN TODAYS SOCIETY

                 

David Grossman said: "Today the data linking violence in the media to violence in society are superior to those linking cancer and tobacco". When we speak of media, we can say that it is the main means of mass communication (especially television, news paper and radio) regarded collectively. And if we define violence as per WHO, it is "the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person or against a group or community, which results in injury, death or psychological harm. Thus, some serious questions have been constantly and repeatedly asked by concerned sectors of our own society. Does media violence influence and promote violence behavior? Is media violence harmful? So, what's your catch?


Parents specially believe that violence is in many television shows and are dramatically worried about its effect to teenagers who are becoming violent themselves. The issue here now is wether or not media violence indeed influence especially the young minds to be violent? As far as my observation and a few readings on the issue is concerned, I would say YES! It's not only my opinion that dictates me to think so but I would rather mention a few results of studies done by some prominent people on how media violence  influence and promote violent behavior. A psychology professor at Ohio State University, Brad Bush man, testified before the home subcommittee on commerce  justice and science that "people who consume a lot of violence media come to view the world as a hostile place, where violence is "normal" behavior. Another one that is worth mentioning is the International Society in aggression- an organization comprising a world-wide body of scientist dedicated to the study of aggression and violence reported on 2012 that "the effects of violence content are learning effects in the brain....Media characters are attractive role models, especially of their violent actions on the screen are presented as justified and socially accepted. If the violent content is rewarded and seen as "fun", then aggression concepts will be classically conditioned with positive feelings. With these clear explanation, I myself is very much convinced that TV-violence influences the teenagers violent behavior. Sometimes, in some instance of my growing up years, I remember being violent too that which I thought was just a "playing time" with my sister. And I heard mom and dad saying "stop watching TV". Could that be the one? Well, mom will always give us comments like "during our time when media was not at hand, life was so peaceful", kids were busy with other activities and kids then were of good- natured and calm. And I believe her for that's the way she is so will you blame me if I agree that TV violence influences the teenagers' violent behavior especially those whose needs were provided and life is treating them well.


But then again, will complaining about it be enough? Do we just give our disagreement and bad feelings about the issue. Can we not think of other ways to divert the teenagers' attention and "scoop them out" not from TV viewing and make them busy on other healthy activities and make them more responsible? Perhaps, even working parents, can plan and provide other leisure activities that has no violence that teenagers need to be supervised. As this fast-pacing techie world where advance technologies are all around, teenagers can still find other ways to be able to grow up healthily in all aspects. Would it?


References:

http://w2.parentstv.org/blog/index.php/2014/02/04/is-media-violence-harmful-science-says-yes/
http://allpsych.com/journal/violentmedia/
http://www.apa.org/action/resources/research-in-action/protect.aspx


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