Television Violence Essay Research Paper subject — страница 2

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Kids and Power Rangers supporters will say that the Power Rangers do have good points about them also. They say that the characters show respect for adults, they are likable people, and there is always a moral. In fact, the program labels the morals at the end of each show. What we have to ask ourselves is, “Is it really worth it?” Marilyn Droz, director of research for the National Coalition on Television Violence, conducted a study on the Power Rangers. This is what she came up with: 1. Seventy percent of the kids who watch the show say the fighting is what they like best. 2. In an hour of Power Rangers programming, there is an average of 211 acts of violence. A typical Saturday morning cartoon hour generally has 25 violent acts per hour. A typical hour of an adult show has

six acts of violence (Meltz pg. A1). The Power Rangers are an entertaining part of our childrens? day but the few minutes a day they watch may have severe circumstances. The morals, and views of reality of the kids are shattered. These children do not think that what they are doing is wrong when they hit or kick. They say,” The Power Rangers do it, why can?t I?” This makes it even tougher on the parents. They must explain that what the Power Rangers do on the television set is make believe. This confuses the child because they see it with their own eyes, yet it is not true. We must not pin point the Power Rangers as the one show that influences our children?s violent behavior. Other violent kid TV programs have a similar effect upon children. Cartoons and child programming

get most of the attention under this issue because of the damage they can do to the children, but also theatrical movies, and not prime-time series television, bear much of the blame for TV?s blood-and-guts reputation. The UCLA Television Violence Monitoring Report, as published by the September 20, 1995 edition of the Boston Globe, stated that of 121 television series airing during the 1994-95 season, 10 were frequently violent or used violence in questionable ways (Elber pg. 84). Television and the American Child by George Comstock, states on page 27, that the National Television Violence Study, which took three years to finish, shows shocking information about what we are viewing everyday. What the analysis of 2,693 television programs from 23 channels showed is that a

majority of programs contain what the researchers call “harmful violence.” They found that in 73 percent of the scenes, the violence went unpunished. In nearly half of the programs with slug-fests and shoot-outs, the victims miraculously never appeared harmed. In 58 percent they showed no pain. In fact, only 16 percent of the programs showed any long-term problems ? physical, emotional or financial. We must show the children that the things that the characters do, do hurt people, and that violence is never the answer to any problem. We must teach the next generation how to work out his or her problems with his or her “enemy” by talking the problem out with the other, and compromising. Another, more scientific, solution for the problem of violence on TV is the V-chip,

technology that would enable parents to block violent programming. President Clinton said on the matter of the V-chip, as stated in the March 6, 1996 edition of the Boston Globe, “We?re handing the TV remote control back to America?s parents so that they can pass on their values and protect their children” (Jackson pg. 15). New president of Creative Coalition, a group that lobbies for First Amendment rights, and ex-actor Christopher Reeves, support the V-chip, if Legislation maintains parental control of television viewing and ensure that only the industry would rate the programs. Reeve recognizes “a serious need” to curb television violence but asserted that the industry, not Congress, was best suited for the job (Hohler pg. 11). I do not agree with the passing of the

V-chip. Why should the people who want programs with good morals pay for this? Parents should not have to empty their pockets to block violence and sex. All programming should be family friendly. If lightweight comedies, public television and weekend sports are not steamy enough, then press your code and unleash AK-47 terror and near-porn into your living room. Instead the Sesame Street viewers have to shell out the cash, instead of the Chainsaw Massacre fans. They should go to the electronic store and buy a television with a S&G-chip, for sex & guts. Let them earn their violence by paying for it. Parents of peace are about to make electronic stores rich. Fans of gutter and gore do not have to lift a finger for either their clicker or their wallet. I do not believe that