Television Case
Essay Preview: Television Case
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Television has existed for more than a century and is still a vital part of American society. Television serves as a form of entertainment as well as a form of educational awareness. Over 90% of American households have at least two television sets if not more. The television has become an important part of daily life for various reasons ranging from distracting the children while mom finishes cleaning to getting the latest update on tomorrows snow storm. However, televisions underlying effects may be more detrimental so American society than expected. Television is a form of escape used by young adults to get a glimpse of a different way of life. Reality T.V. shows such as Jersey Shore or The Real World, give people a false perception of how life is or how it should be. The violence depicted in these reality shows along with fictional shows affects a persons way of thinking and behavior bringing out the aggressive side of the viewer. Watching television is an inactive experience meaning it requires no physical activity. Although television is used for educational and informative purposes, the underlying outcome of television viewing affects the perception of reality, human behavior, and leads to deteriorating health.
Television is a form of entertainment that has been used as early as the 1900s. American society experiences different trends as the decades change, from the flappers of the roaring 20s to disco in the 70s. As society changes, so do the trends in an attempt to keep things modern. One of the latest trends is reality TV, or what is described to be a “peak” into how people act in society. Jersey Shore is considered the best reality TV show on MTV because of all the scandalous drama. The stars of the show work minimum wage jobs, party and drink every night, and have indiscriminate sex. In addition to all the great features of this show, there is always someone talking about someone else and there is always someone causing drama and fights amongst the roommates. Reality TV shows feed off of the viewers consistent need to watch the drama unfold, to pick a side in a fight, and have the perks of not being involved in the drama or the fight itself. With Jersey Shores rising popularity, young adults have tried to imitate and dress like the stars of the show. In a scholarly journal titled “Does television viewership play a role in the perception of quality life?” Joseph Sirgy wrote “television viewership influences materialism and dissatisfaction with standard of living, which in turn contributes to feelings of dissatisfaction with life.” The idea that life is suppose to be reckless and dramatic makes young viewers feel a sense of not belonging to the way society supposedly is, thus they turn to materialistic happiness. One believes that life will be “better” if they obtain the same possessions as their idols on TV or if they live life the same way.
Violence is society has been a result of excessive television watching. People, especially children, learn from television and tend to imitate what they see. A child does