Violence In The Media

Violence In The Media

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College Rhetoric and Research

Professor Theodora Elliot

3/26/05

Where's the Problem, Media or Parents? In the past few years, media violence has

increased on television, in turn bringing resistance from concerned parents. What they don't stop

to think about is that maybe the media is not the only area to blame. Parents are to blame when

children are subjected to violence in the media, because it is due to an undedicated parent, not a

careless television network.

"Taking Aim", by Wendy Mellillo states, "While research indicates that viewing violence

can cause aggression, studies conclude that the leading determinant of violent behavior is

upbringing.@ Unfortunately, many politicians have been silent on this finding. As Mellillo points

out, poor parenting, after all, is not a traditional vote-getter. With all pressure building up, one or

both sides may eventually have to compromise to achieve a partial victory.

Could this lead to ratings that praise mildness, and treat violent shows and movies as if

they were outcast? Who has the greater right to their beliefs, the media or concerned parents?

Should we limit the freedom of speech that we have cherished since the foundation of our

country? Movie producers should have the same protection under the constitution as any other

American. On one side, we should respect people's right to express them.

Though, violence per se is not necessarily bad. If you were to argue that violence in and

of itself is bad, then you would be against such films such as The Passion of The Christ,

Schindler's List, and even children's movies such as Bambi, The Lion King, and Toy Story.

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I think parents would not say simply that children can watch nothing with violence in it. You

would miss very important programming where violence is very responsibly dealt with and

carries an important message.

On the other, we can't invade homes where one person's _expression is offensive to the

other. More and more, the upbringing of the children depends upon the parents, and not

government regulations. As of now, throughout the country, numerous conservative groups are

strongly against violence on television. It seems a few take aims at a different target, which is the

parents, and ways they can better communicate with their children about violence. The majority

of them are too quick to point the finger at the government and media. It is a fact that children

subjected to violence can reflect with bad attitudes, ill tempers, and aggressive behavior. A

statement by the North Carolina PTA shows just this: More than 30 years of research has shown

that excessive TV watching by children can interfere with the development of intelligence,

thinking skills, an imagination; it can slow down the development of reading and speaking

skills; it can cultivate violent or aggressive behavior; and may even contribute to ADD/ADHD.

I do believe that it is the parent's responsibility to keep a close eye on their children, and I

understand how violence in the media can make this a difficult task. Parents should not expect

media violence to disappear, and for now, should deal with the violence directly. It boils down to

being the parents, not the networks, which should keep a young child's eyes from seeing violent

acts in the media. That does not just mean locking the inappropriate channels, but giving the

children an alternative. Parents should encourage children to attend and take part in sporting

events and being involved with more mind stimulating activities will help direct children away

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from violent ways.

Networks and radio stations could create divisions in their company dedicated

to finding new ways of censorship, but it would be as a good deed, not as a responsibility.

If it was a fair and just world, television could and would be responsible for inappropriate

programs televised, but until that happens, parents should lay the responsibility on themselves.

Good parenting is the best censorship a child can have, and should be available at all times. Can

parents justify themselves when they accuse the media of being their children's sole reason of

committing violent acts?