Violence in the media influences Juvenile Deliguency
...arning and development, especially when those years are considered to be the child’s formative years. There have been many cases in the past few years regarding programs that were harmful to young viewers. One broadcast in particular was MTV’s Beavis and Butthead. To begin with, this show was a cartoon, and automatically gained the attention of a younger audience, whether or not the content was appropriate for their viewing. On this 3 program, two adolescent boys practice harsh language, crude antics, and overall offensive behavior according to regular viewers of the show who approximately range in age from the ages of ten to twenty five. To most of the younger generation however, they were thought of as “cool” and “defiant” and represented freedom from all authority. Only a short time after the show was first aired, complaints were filed from the public, mostly parents, who were concerned with their impressionable children emulating the ill-mannered characters on the program. This was brought to MTV”s attention, which in turn lead to the termination of the production of new episodes. Violence in the media is also thought to be on the rise, simply because this type of entertainment is most eye- catching and amusing according to the audience’s perspective. Often television and movies present shows that stem from events that have actually occurred in the past, therefore subjecting the same material to the viewers over and over and again (Cockburn, 71). In reality, this can lead to more acts of destruction. There seems to be at least one story a day on the news, on the television, or in a movie, in which a juvenile commits a murder or another type of violent crime. The news however, fails to explain the important factors that influence these youngsters to conduct themselves the way they do (Klotzer, 42). The reporters simply recount the occurrences as a way to get the attention of the audience. Of course, the news has a right to and should report on such traumatic events, yet it neglects to tell the viewers what could have been done to stop the violence (Klotzer, 42). As we all have begun to realize, violence is something taught to us by society Klotzer, 42). Nothing significant in the media has really ever been done to prevent juvenile violence, except for the rare cancellation of a 4 show, which doesn’t even count in the case of Beavis and Butthead, since MTV still airs the reruns. We need to have the television and radio industries be more connected with the news they broadcast and think of solutions and programs that can eliminate the violence in everyday life. Two years ago, in 1996, film star Dustin Hoffman protested against violence in movies, in that it is partly responsible for the acts committed by minors. This notion was laughed and ridiculed by many that believed that the media could not possibly be that great of a negative influence. It appeared that 2,000-5,000 children killed annually were from real violence such as domestic violence, rather than media violence (American Medical Association). Of course, there are other important events in a child’s life that influences him or her far greater than any television program or movie ever could. However, the media and film industry cannot be completely ruled out as a major influence either (The Effects of Media Violence on Children). Those who refute to place the blame on media and television believe that the behavior of parents is a key factor that contributes to the aggressiveness of the child (TV Violence: It’s time to Break the Circle of Blame). If that child is in need of desperate attention and lacks it from his or her parents, than television is a sense is their “parent,” in that the child will learn from what he or she sees and hears on the screen. Even so, the media constantly depicting killings, beatings, rapes and other forms of violence cannot be providing a positive effect on the already belligerent individual (Klotzer, 42). Another factor that the opponents believe is the reason for violence is the easy accessibility to guns(Gun Violence and Children). According to Barry Krisberg, president of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, “the availability of guns is what is driving 5 the slaughter of innocence.” Yet we cannot allow guns to be the main focus. Guns along with the media, television, movies, lack of parental supervision and now video games added to the mix are where the real problems stem from (Lecayo). As reported by Charles P. Ewing, a professor of law and psychology at the State University of New York, the annual numbers of murders committed by children under 18 reached a high of 3,000 in the last two years, but has recently started to drop. Ewing explains that although the numbers are going down, the temperaments of the individuals that commit these crimes are getting worse. He states that “we’ve graduated into a era of juvenile mass murder. You’re seeing more violent killings, cases where kids are desecrating victims, more senseless killings, more killings that involve mutilation, and that involve sexual acting out towards victims. I think what we’re saying is kids catching up to adult murders” (Kastor, C01). I believe that violence can be cut back, if not eliminated altogether by attacking the issue in a firm and authoritative manner. I trust that by having an authority figure at least aware of the content being observed by minors in order to censor what the children are being exposed to, will be favorable in making a difference. Parental monitoring is the first and most important step in reducing violence in the media (Dr. Ledingham). It is an essential factor that enables parents to steer children away from any objectionable language, behavior patterns, and negative values they may pick up from television. Along with parental supervision, the television...