This proves that after viewing television violence a child’s view of the world could become distorted. The children might observe how the ‘good guys’ on television solve their problems through violence and end up much happier than they were before. They may therefore create violence to try and help keep them-selves satisfied. The reason children are so drawn to the violence on TV today is that the characters on TV make it look fun, so the children find it fun to imitate.
There is no debate as to whether children are impressionable, and this makes violence on television even more of an important topic. The 90’s series ‘The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ are a prime example of children imitating the things they see on television. This program had an incredible following of millions of little children who wished that they themselves were power rangers. Because of this, break times were filled with dozens of children play fighting, and perhaps increasing their desire for actual combat. Before the ‘Mighty Morphin Power Rangers’ was ‘Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles’ and this is another good example of children wanting to imitate what they see on television. This made children want to be ninjas, as well as ignite their interest in weapons such as kendo sticks and ninja death stars.
It has apparently been found that children who watch more television are more likely to try and solve their problems with violence, rather than sitting down to talk their problems out of even just arguing verbally. Fixing the problem of violence on television isn’t easy, and it will never go away, and in time it will probably get worse. Probably one of the only ways to correct this ever-growing problem is to stop it where it begins: in the home. I think that parents should take more of a responsibility to actively monitor and control what their children watch. In most cases parents are the role models for their children and so if the parents can teach children that violence isn’t necessary, and show them examples of solving problems through discussion, along with keeping a close eye on what they watch, then maybe this problem would soon become less of an issue. It is said that ‘Children will inherit the earth,’ and do we really wish to have a country full of people who minds have been corrupted by issues such as this.
Sex and other forms of intimacy on television have also been a strongly debated topic in our society, and there have been a lot of polls on television recently as to whether the amount of sex on television should be cut down.
For years, programs containing content deemed inappropriate have been censored, and parts have been edited out. This is because of the fact that television has become one of the most largest and effective influences on our culture today, and also one with a huge audience.
The amount of sexually related material that is ‘acceptable’ to show on TV has dramatically increased since fifty years ago. Around this time a program on television displaying a woman with a skirt that didn’t cover her knees would be classified as porn, however today it is not uncommon to have a scene where cast members are entirely naked and only the strategically placed props obscure the audiences view of certain areas of their body.
I do think however, that the amount of sex on television today is acceptable as long as it is in good taste, considering the watershed that is in operation today on British TV, meaning that children are unlikely to see scenes involving sex.
