If anyone has ever read “Mayhem, violence as public
entertainment.” they will be able to see that media continues to create controversy and speculation
among society. Public views have turned toward a connection between
media influence and violence. Statistics show an increase in aggressive
tendencies such as homicide, rape, suicide, and domestic violence
through the years which correlates with the escalating media exposure.
As the effect media presents to us grows, so does the amount of
aggressive behavior. The response to media aggression is a mirror
effect where the action or behavior exhibited is imitated by the
viewers. The accentuation of violence among programs as well as
aggressive behavior in media effects the actions of today’s children and
adults alike. The promotion of such a behavior and especially the
encouragement of aggression desensitize those who view such programs.
This desensitization not only lowers the sympathy felt for victims but
also relieves the ability to empathize and overall impedes moral
judgment. In such situations as horror films, the victim is often
involved in sexual acts which then turn violent; this type of media
allows the viewer to connect sexuality with violence. Similarly, when
researched, violent porn among men created stronger aggressive tendency
towards women. Children also have much stronger exposure to media
influences which connects to the increase in children to children deaths
in today’s society. Often though, like other connections is not
completely definitive and naturally dismissed.
The
idea of media is quite controversial because of the benefits and faults
of it. It provides the public with information and news but it has
also, to many people’s belief, gotten out of hand. Because of the lack
of censorship, may it be in foul language, sex, violence, or aggression,
society has become much more exposed and less sensitive. With this
increasing behavior it’s easy to see an increase in violence among
children and adults. Children perhaps are the most easy to influence,
Bok references Freudian belief in the importance of stages. When media
allows a child to see a positive reaction to a negative situation, they
gravitate towards an obstructing path. Children are easily affected.
Clearly not only media is to blame, because society has become so
obsessive over media, because parents seem to see less of their
children, and because often during gathering such as school peers become
larger influences, children are increasingly showing improper behavior.
This is similar in adults as well, because aggressive or crude behavior
is becoming more and more acceptable, or even given a positive light,
people continue to push the line. The increase in homicides, rapes,
suicides, and domestic violence are also very related to media. Media
once again exposes people to these but also takes it one step further by
making it so normal and desensitizing people. With all the exposure,
some one getting shot or raped suddenly seems normal. The continuous
exposure is corroding moral values. The victim isn’t given sympathy
anymore because it’s just so common. If our country continues to act
this way and be influenced in such a manner then its clear morality will
continue to be corrupted. Although it’s difficult to find a balance
between freedom of speech and protection of morality, we must recreate
what the media was- news and the importance of being informed, not the
corrosion of ethics.
