Discussion Whether Does Media Violence Cause Violent Behavior

Media Violence

There is a direct link between media violence and aggressive behavior in youth. When one is extensively exposed to such content he is desensitized to violence, fear, nightmare, depression and sleep disturbance. This usually happens because when one sees violence all the time in movies, dramas, theatres and even in news and especially children and adolescents it has negative and adverse impact upon them. They believe it as the reality of the world because they are not enough mature and competent to perceive the complex media messages. Most unfortunate thing is that it at time media content is intentionally designed to provoke certain emotions in audience just for little readership, viewership and more precisely for little bit money. But these so called content creators never analyzed the possible impacts of violent content on audience. So this is “Does media violence cause violent behavior” essay in which the topic is analysed. 

Stereotypes

When same ideas, people and behavior occur consistently from program to program that means it is presented in a stereotyped manner. One study published in 2008, examined analyzed six prime time programs that are aired on six broadcast networks. The programs include dramas, theatres and reality based programs. The research revealed the following facts. The women are presented in interpersonal roles that are based on involving romance, family and friends. Whereas, the men are more significantly involved in doing work-related roles such as doctors, engineers, drivers and in law enforcement agencies etc. One research on Hollywood films examined the dominants message and theme. The researchers find out that white men are involved in performing more dominants roles whereas Blacks and Native Americans are involved in doing jobs of menial nature. For a long time the image and perception of the minority groups which is transmitted and passed from one generation to another by mass media to audience reflects stereotypes and theme of those which are in dominant position and power. Such as Native Americans are seen as savages and uncivilized who murders civilized and educated people and Black Africans are involved in doing menial and subordinate roles. The challenge is that these dominant themes and messages of media have partly becomes the reality of real world and people begin to perceive it as the reality of the real world. For the minority groups it may take a long time to change these stereotypical roles. It requires that minorities should come up and put efforts to change these stereotypical roles.

It also contributes to social violence faced by minorities because it represents bad image of minorities and children unfortunately perceive it as true and develop wrong behavior and attitude for minorities. They believe minorities and poor and those in slums are criminals or involved in some sort of criminal activity. It also develops a kind of superiority complex in children and adolescents when they see minority groups involved in menial roles so they develop a kind of superior behavior over them. The children believe what they see and when they continuously bombarded with such stereotypes they perceive it as being correct and reality of this world which is unfortunate.

Sexual Violence

One research shows that there is a direct link between sexual violence in media and violence against women. This contributes to aggressive behavior of men over women and perception that women are objects. It is also one the reason of crimes against women like molestation, sexual harassment etc. The advertisements in particular full of content which objectifies women. These semi-nudes adds creates completely wrong perception of the opposite sex. Such content could corrupt moral values of individuals and creates social dissatisfaction and it creates inability to distinguish between fantasy and reality. The women experience bad behavior in working places and even in their own house because media teaches male dominance and bad behavior against women.

Violence in Entertainment

Media violence is not confined to only one medium but it is significantly included in entertainment oriented content like movies are full of such violent and extremist content. It has a bad impact on children, adolescents and teenagers.

Most violence in entertainment media is used for thrill and excitement. The adolescent and children consumed such content without adult discussion and monitoring. It has a bad impact because children and adolescent cannot differentiate between fantasy and reality.

Additionally it creates fear among children and they view world as a dangerous place to live in. One research finds out that children who are heavy TV viewers are more afraid of to go out late night as compared to light TV viewers. When one constantly watch such violent content time and time again then it becomes a part of his behavior and whenever they are faced with challenging situation they often justify violence to resolve internal problems and issues. The justification of violence is most horrific and dangerous thing.

It desensitizes children to violence and whenever they see something bad happens to someone they view it as normal thing and shows little or no sympathy to the victim. In movies, songs and raps glamorizes carrying and using weapon and portrays them as a source of personal power.

Violence in News 

Pakistani news media is full of violent content. The whole focus is on sensationalism and inculcates pessimistic thoughts in general population. The extensive reporting of bomb blasts, sexual harassment, thefts, military operations and talk shows with no constructive solutions are top trend and regarded as a best way to gain viewership. But its consequences are horrific.

It glamorizes terrorism and use of force which negative impact on general population. According to the Margret Thatcher former Prime Minister of Great Britain publicity is oxygen of terrorism and when it’s not reported then it’s like a proverbial tree which falls but no one is there to notice it. The terrorism includes physical and perceptional war and although they are not wining on ground but they are achieving tremendous success when it comes to the perceptional war and they have injected great amount of fear in the mind of youth. They often create gloomy perception of real world. When youth views such negative content they think that it is the reality of their world. This all happens because the media glamorizes and general population especially children perceive it as the reality of their real world.

Conclusion 

The media experts should analyze the possible impacts of their content on youth and instead of thinking about short term monetary funds they should concentrate on character building of youth. Current media practices only have negative impact upon on youth. It makes them intolerant, angry and extremely violent because this what shown on media and children learn best by observing and testing. The content creator should consider this in mind before developing their content.