Television Violence

Statistics shows that on average a person watches about seven hours of television a week.
Television is a big part of our everyday lives. We use it to see the things that are going on around
us in the world, and also to escape the things going on around us. Although it has its many perks
there are some downfalls of television. One of the most common concerns about it is the amount
of violence that is aired. The issues caused by television violence affect all ages, genders, and
ethnicities. Many would argue that this problem has been put on the back burners and not
discussed enough.
Since as early as the nineteen fifties television violence has sparked intense debates.Many
people in high positions have tried to resolve the problem that has been caused by television
violence. In nineteen ninety the television violence act was passed. This act was put in place to
protect the electronic media from the antitrust in case that tried to develop industry wide
standards on violence on the television. Although the attorney general called television violence
constitutionally problematic, during this time many bills were introduced to congress but not
many were passed. This is also brought attention to how big of an issue television violence was
and how important it was that something be done about it.
Regulations by the mediums and appointed guardians are the ones that should be
concerned whether or not television violence is warranted. This is a statement that some would
disagree with as they feel it is a concern of everyone because we are all affected by the outcomes
of such issues. Many would argue that television violence is the cause of violence going on in the
real world. The ultimate concern about television violence however is founded on the view that
it contributes toward social violence. There have been studies done that have proven this
statement to be true. If you are exposed to violence for a long term period of time via the
television it could be very persuasive. It can have an impact on the decisions that you make in
certain situations.
In late November in the year of nineteen ninety six Carroll C. Arnold did a lecture on
media violence, Ellen Wartella wrote article on his lecture explaining the context of television
violence. That Germinal violence leading to the birth of our nation provides the benchmark
against which may contrast other violence in American history. She explained how the acts of
violence in any form have an affect on other types of violence that we see. This article went in
depth about the different ages groups that are affected and how television violence affects the
groups individually. For example adolescents between the age 12 and 19 years of age are
accounted for about twenty four percent of all reported violent crimes. Her article shows how the
amount of television containing violence has a direct relation to the acts of violence that was
reported.

The authors of a recent book stand on the viewpoint that there are direct correlations
between entertainment and persuasion. In chapter eleven of the psychology of entertainment
media: blurring the lines between entertainment and persuasion, they prescribe the paths from
television violence to aggression. It explains in depth that the more the audience comprehension
is developed the more the individual is affected by the view of violence. In other words if it is
not understood what is going on in the entertainment the viewer is not directly affected by it.
They also show the how a person with understanding of the violence could build aggression and
use such aggression when they feel obligated.
In conclusion we are all affected by violence that happens in the world today and many
things could have influence these acts, But television violence is one thing that can be controlled
if more people would speak up against it. The effects of television violence are not new issues
and the solution still seems far from the reach of the ones affected by it the most. Television
violence has been proven to cause other acts of violence and should be contained.

Works Cited
Violence on Television; Distribution form, context and Themes By Barrie Gunter, Jackie
Harrison, Maggie WykesLawfenceErlbaulm associates 2003

The psychology of entertainment media; blurring lines between entertainment and

persuasion By: L.J. Shrum 2004
The context of television violence By: Ellen A. wartella From Carroll C. Arnold
Distinguished Lecture November 23, 1996
Standpoint Violence on Television the cultural indicators project By: Nancy signorielli,
george Gerbner, Michael Morgan. May 18 2009 pages 278-283
Ncjrs.gov Television and the adolescent boy 1978 by W.A. Belson

By: Markita Ward