Essay About Concerned Parents And Good Deed

Violence In The Media
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Violence In The Media
Pentz 1
College Rhetoric and Research
Professor Theodora Elliot
3/26/05
Wheres 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 dont 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 peoples 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,
Schindlers List, and even childrens movies such as Bambi, The Lion King, and Toy Story.
Pentz 2
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 cant invade homes where one persons _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 parents 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 childs 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
Pentz 3
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 childrens sole reason of
committing violent acts?