Running Head: YOUTH CULTURES PAPER
Violent Music and its Impact on Youth
Youth Cultures
Professor Patrick Olsson
Student # 100318405
University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Date: November 9, 2009
Introduction
“Critics of violence in the media have long claimed a connection between what people see and hear and what behaviour they exhibit” (Haugen & Musser, 2009). The media has been a part of society for decades. As new generations and even newer generations of technology are produced, the connection between violence and deviant behaviour is growing amongst the youth in society. Bennett and Hughes states that the connection has been pushed beyond its limit, resulting in assaults, threats, rapes, robberies, and homicides; initiating a national attack of disapproval and controversy (Bennett & Hughes, 2002).
Violence in television programming is becoming a nationwide dilemma as it is becoming moregraphic each day. This paper will examine how television violence is impacting the youth in today’s society. Observers often criticize the presence of television violence in the media, stating it is having a tremendous influence on our youth. This is believed because they feel that the minds of the youth are vulnerable and lack the clear distinction that separates fantasy and reality (Haugen & Musser, 2009).
Methodology
To obtain a holistic understanding of how television programming in the media promotes violence and its impact on youth, this paper will examine a mixed methodology to draw information from numerous sources. These sources include: newspaper articles, scholarly articles, books, journals, and research studies; studying the correlation between media violence and deviant behaviour in youth. First, we must have a brief understanding of the media industry and their rights as broadcasters. By obtaining an understanding of the media industry, it will explain why we cannot do much to stop the violence displayed in the media. Following, we will discuss how violence in television programming is having an impact on the youth of today’s society.
The National Television Violence Study showed that media violence is common, but is present in ways that harm the viewers; our youth. In this study they argued that programs seldomly portray consequences for acts of violence. The characters in the programs often go unpunished (Bender, Leone, Szumski, Stalcup, Barbour, Dudley, 1999). Therefore, television violence is desensitizing youth to violence and potentially encouraging the deviant behaviour.
The Media Industry
As mentioned previously, the media has been around for decades. The media is used to get pressing information out to the public, in a timely manner. The information not only reaches a specific community, but it reaches out to a wider audience. The media has hada influential affect on society; both positive and negative. On a positive note, they have educated viewers and raised awareness on the importance of seat belts, drinking and driving, child car seats, cancer, and so much more. As a result,it has raised awareness in society, leading to a decrease in the number of people dying in motorized vehicle accidents.
On the contrary, it has television violence has had a negative impact on youth in society. The violence amongst our youth has ‘skyrocketed.’ Research has proven that this is because violence on the television is constantly glamorized. Society has tried to address the issue, however, revealing this information to broadcasters has not been foundbeneficial. Broadcasters’ are only denying, ignoring the results, or they believe that the information is being misinterpreted (Bender, 1999).
Parents may complain about the amount of violence on the television, but there is nothing that can be done. The entertainment industry is protected under the Charter of Rights and Freedom. Asking the media to reduce the amount of onscreen violence in television programming would cause chaos; as it would break the Charter of Rights and Freedom. The Charter states that “everyone has the following fundamental freedoms…freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression including freedom of the press and other media of communication” (Zolf, 2009).
Consequently, it has resulted in violent television shows and movies and society can only do so much. Broadcasters need to realize the impact they are having on youth, and stop denying the issue and resolve it. Television shows like “Law and Order” and “NYPD Blue” are an example of what all television programs and movies should contain. Neither of the shows display crimes or violence on-screen, they only reveal the trial and investigation (Bender, 1999).
How Television Violence is Impacting Youth
Approximately 57% of television shows contain violence in somemanner. Television violence can take several different forms and settings. The violent act may be done by the villain or the hero, which can result in a punishment or reward. The violence on television can be displayed without pain and suffering or with a tremendous amount. These portrayals of violence are more than likely to play a role in deviant behaviour in youth (Bender et al, 1999). Television violence affects all youth, no matter what socio-economic level or their level of intelligence. With continuous exposure to violence on the television, youth today are using violence as a first resort in conflict, rather than the last (Bender et al, 1999).
When the National Television Violence Study was conducted, they found numerous key findings. This study found that one in four television shows displaying violence involving a handgun; only 4% of television programs that are violent, contain an anti-violence theme; the violence in television programs put viewers at risk of deviant behaviour; and violence on the television is not as graphic compared to movies.
The National Television Violence Study showed that there were three affects that were associated with viewing violence on the television; aggressive behaviour, an increase of crime and violence within society, and the youth are “becoming desensitized to the real-world” (Bender et al, 1999, p. 18, ¶ 2).
Aggressive behaviour in our youth is an increasing problem. Some researchers believe that the physiological effects of the violence displayed on television causes aggressive behaviour. “Exposure to violent imagery is linked to increased heart rate, faster respiration and higher blood pressure. Some think that this simulated “fight-or-flight” response predisposes people to act aggressively in the real world (Media Awareness Network, 2009, ¶ 6). Other researchers feel that the youth may have pre-existing aggressive feelings and thoughts; but have not acted on them. When youth see television programming with violent imagery and the hero and villain seek revenge on one another; it often goes unpunished (Media Awareness Network, 2009). This is desensitizing our youth and they are copying what they see on television.
In television programming, 73% of violent scenes often result in the predator going unpunished (Bender et al, 1999). “Showing violent acts without [a negative] consequence teaches youth that violence is an effective means of resolving conflicts. Whereas, seeing pain and suffering as a consequence can inhibit aggressive behaviour” (Haugen & Musser, 2009). The Parent Television Council (PTC) wrote a report reviewing the amount of violence on television. The PTC found that the violence shown in television shows has increased approximately 75% since 1998. This raises a concern to the PTC that broadcasters continue to increase the amount of violence in programming “despite overwhelming evidence pointing to a direct and causal relationship between violent entertainment products and aggressive behaviour in [youth] (Haugen & Musser, 2009). Aggressive behaviour is what is causing youth of today’s society to act on their thoughts and feelings; increasing crime and violence in society.
From studies that researchers have conducted, there seems to be a positive correlation between television violence in the media and an increase rate of crime and violence. In 2006, 180,000 youth violated the Criminal Code, not including traffic offences; equivalent to 6,885 accused youth for every 100,000 (Statistics Canada, 2008). Violent crimes among youth have increase 12% and a total of 30% since 1991. An increase of violence in youth could potentially be from what they hear and see on television. For example, Nathaniel White was a serial killer who killed women. White stated that when he killed his first victim he copied a scene from the Robocop movie. He said he “did exactly what [he] saw in the movie” (Bender et al, 1999). He saw somebody get their throat sliced and then a slit in their body from their chest to stomach; then leave the body in a certain manner (Bender et al, 1999). This is what Nathaniel White say in Robocop and imitated it; also known as the ‘copy cat phenomenon’. Should we really be allowing our youth to view these acts of violence on television?
On the contrary, violence is not the only problem on the television these days; there are many scenes that involve drugs, drug-dealing, and drug-related crimes. Drug-related crimes amongst youth is rising drastically (Statistics Canada, 2008). This is a concern because the youth are our future generations. The media also portrays a drug-dealer in movies as a man that is wealthy, has a lot of girls, and drives nice. For many young boys, they want all of that to. This could potentially be the cause as to why there is an increase in drug-related crimes in Canada.
Desensitizing youth from the real-world is not a solution. Allowing youth to believe that a crime or violent act will go without consequences, is the same as allowing a man who murder his whole family walk free. Desensitizing youth would only be condoning the behaviour they are exhibiting (Bender et al, 1999). Therefore, stricter punishments need to be enforced on youth who commit a violent act or crime instead of a slap on the wrist.
Sociological Theory
Sociologists try to understand the role that social interactions and environment have on youth that lead them towards deviant and criminal behaviour. For example, a teenage boy in Scarborough is living in a tough neighborhood full of violence. He carries a weapon for protection, and in his mind he has the thought that he has to “use it to get others before they get [him] (Cromie, 1998, ¶ 7). That statement alone tells us that the world is a dangerous place, where very few are safe.
The Chicago School of sociology believed that who a person associates with and where a person grows up is linked to their future involvement in anti-social behaviour and crime (Jewkes, 2004). Robert Merton’s strain theory or the ‘anomie’ theory discusses the relationship connecting crime and media. In Merton’s theory, anomie concentrates on the goals society has put in place that people try to fulfill, to obtain wealth and status. Majority of people will try to obtain these goals through legitimate means.
On the contrary, society places so much emphasis on achieving wealth and status, that they do not place enough emphasis on the legitimate means of achieving the goal. Merton’s believed that this could lead to an imbalance in “innovators;” so they will choose illegal paths to achieve wealth and status (Jewkes, 2004). Merton felt that by improving the lives of those who might achieve wealth and status by illegitimate method would reduce crime. On the contrary, one of the main contributors emphasizing the goals set in place by society is the media (Jewkes, 2004).
The media advertises new technology and products on the continual basis; and aim advertising at the youth of society. By doing so, youth will desire/need the product and will do anything to get it. On the contrary, some researchers believe that youth commit the crime for a sense of excitement, due to the boredom of everyday life; thus the media would not be having an impact of crime and violence in youth. Youth may also commit crimes and violent acts to gain approval from their peers (Jewkes, 2004).
Criminological Theory
Increased criminal or deviant behaviour amongst youth and its relation to television violence needs to be better understood. Several criminological and psychological theories have attempted to explain why youth engage in criminal behaviour. The social learning theory helps criminologist and psychologist to understand criminal behavior, as it has evolved tremendously. The social learning theory incorporates both criminology and psychology. The social learning theory in criminology has been influenced by Sutherland and the differential association theory (Rogers, 2001).
Essentially, with this theory they believed that criminal behaviour in youth occurred because of previous interactions with others. “The interactions usually occurred in primary groups, where the person is presented with both criminal and anti-criminal patterns of behaviour, techniques, motivations, and definitions favorable or unfavorable towards crime” (Rogers, 2001, p. 15). If there was an imbalance and it weighed more towards the favorable side, then criminal behaviour in youth would result. Youth, who have pre-existing aggressive thoughts and feelings and watch violent and graphic television programs, it would result in aggression in the real-world (Media Awareness Network, 2009). This may cause the youth to commit a violent act because as the social learning theory mentioned, there is more than likely an imbalance; causing the youth to commit a criminal act (Rogers, 2001).
Also, the social learning theory discusses how the environment in which the youth lives has an enormous impact on the individual. Essentially, the behaviour of the youth is shaped by the reinforcements they received; either positive or negative. Whichever reinforcement or punishment the youth would receive would determine as to whether or not the behaviour would continue (Rogers, 2001). With television programs portraying violence without any consequences, youth essentially do the ‘copy cat theory;’ imitating the same criminal act and trying to get away without consequences. If youth are not punished for their actions, then their deviant behaviour will continue.
Conclusion
We must realize that the youth of today’s society are vulnerable. Therefore, they are the ones that are more than likely to commit a crime or an act of violence; and receive harmful consequences (Jewkes, 2004). The research shows that there is a positive correlation between television violence and criminal or deviant behaviour in youth. However, research also shows that it is not just the media causing violence and deviant behaviour in youth. The media plays a huge role, but there are also other contributing factors that cause violence and deviant behaviour in youth.
References
Bender, D., Leone, B., Szumski, B., Stalcup, B., Barbour, S., Dudley, W.,(1999).Media Violence: Opposing Viewpoints. United States of America: Greenhaven Press.
Bennett, L., Hughes, Z., (2002). Sex & Music has it gone too far? Backlash over lyrics, violence and threats to young women grows. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from
Cromie, W. (1998). Music Videos Promote Adolescent Agression. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from
Haugen D., Musser, S., (2009). Media Violence: Opposing Viewpoints. United States of America: Greenhaven Press.
Jewkes, Y., (2004). Media & Crime: Key Approaches to Criminology. United States of America: SAGE Publication.
Media Awareness Network. (2009). Research on the Effects of Media Violence. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from
Statistics Canada (2008). Youth Crime. Retrieved November 1, 2009 from
Zolf, D., (2009). The Regulation of Broadcasting in Canada and the United States: Straws in the Wind. Canadian Journal of Communication 13(2)
Jennifer Callwood - 100318405 / 1