Understanding the Root of Violence - Case Study Example

? Violence is an intriguing matter of perception as well as a quantifiable phenomenon. Research conducted by psychologists has shown that some individuals may not recognize self-defensive to be violent, even in certain scenarios where a lot of force is exerted. Scientists have found different wide of opinions on how people and perceive violence. For example, a person receiving a dead threat and being executed is not considered a violent act by the executioner. Violence is a physical inducement of force that continues to be a controversial topic in the 21st century. Violence has many categories and has detrimental effects within society that continues to be the focal point of discussion. The use of pressure and abusing power itself is violence and is associated with psychology, retaliation, hatred and other human emotion. One cannot ignore the fact that violence is a decompression of an event that dynamically impacted an individual. This paper will discuss many aspects of violence with key insights and new details based on comprehensive research. In order to acknowledge and understand the true essence of violence, one must understand the root cause of violence. Violence is an issue that is directly associated with emotion and mental health of an individual. Behavioral violence is defined by a force of physical aggressive behavior against another person. In fact, scientist agrees that violence is embedded in humans. Since the dawn of mankind, humans engaged in acts of violence as they would hunt for food and seek shelter. Although some might think that in certain scenarios, violence is essential. For instance, primitive humans exerted violence to capture their prey for the needs of surviving. Violence according to many experts can be a critical component of adaptive nature and survival. However, it is clear that violence exerts beyond the traditional methods of survival. A prime example of this is retaliation from a particular incident that had a dramatic effect on psyche of a person. In a midst of a heated moment, violence can be exerted due to rage, anger and fury. Interestingly enough, most people at times acknowledge that they were at fault for conducting this type of behavior. Another key aspect of violence sometimes is used for confidence and pride. Many individuals exert violence sometimes to fulfill their ego and to keep an “alpha dog” reputation which enables them to achieve a superiority complex. In fact, the “alpha male personality” image is often brought up in discussions of the notion of human violence. Dale Peterson and Richard Wrangham in “Demonic Males: Apes and the Origins of Human Violence” conclude that violence in human is embedded. The evolutionary correlation is made from the ancestral ape violent behavior to modern humans. Undoubtedly, the factors characteristics with violence are broad and can be mixed of several other factors. Violence is also associated with propagating cause and is used for justification for a certain outcome. For instance, radical groups utilize violence in order to maintain the conservative norms of society and refute liberal change. Although this is not done out of pain or retaliation, it is used as a threat to implement a purpose that they seek. The Crusaders were the prime examples of aggressors that exerted violence to an extreme means. The environmental surrounding of children raised in a safe environment also plays a critical role. Clearly, the effects of a safe harboring environment in which children are nurtured yields a child less likely to conduct crime. A child that lacks the mutual connection with his parent is more likely to commit crimes. Many children who do not receive this attention often get involved in gangs to fulfill the need of belonging. The young generation in today’s society is the focal point of this conclusive study. Youth violence undoubtedly has sparked much attention as it has become an uncontrollable. Research indicates that around 34% of the offenders arrested for federal charges were under the age of 21 according to Federal Bureau of Investigations in. The question remains, what is the root cause of this deadly violence? Many scholars insist that the when teenagers are experiencing their youth, they are going through difficult changes and transitions. As they transition into adolescent, they experience new feelings of liberation, anger and self-confidence. Although that may contribute to a small portion regarding violent behavior, it does give a good indication of some causes. The main cause of this is clearly the prevalent elaboration of violence in the media. Kids are often engrossed in video games that depict blood, gore, and criminal type behavior. Video games such as Grand Theft Auto, Halo, and Call of Duty champion the causes of violent behavior where killing is propagated and encouraged. In addition, violence is often regarded as the “final resolution” towards solving problems. In the social networking age, cyber bullying and violence plague the internet society. Derogatory comments often lead to violent type behavior. Van Morrison once stated, “Music is spiritual. The music business is not.” Clearly, this quote speaks measure. Music is a vital concept towards individuals especially the youth, who have embraced the musical revolution. However, the music industry has made it clear that they it is a money making business. In a recent study conducted by Harvard University, Michael Rich and his colleagues gained some shocking insights. Rich implemented a test in which he recorded afternoon broadcasts of the popular music stations. Then, they trained students in their adolescent years to quantify the amount of violence portrayed in the music videos. The results were quite alarming as a sample of 518 videos, 76 showed acts of aggression. Although that percentage might not seem a huge statistic, it did give a perception of a “dangerous world.” Videos consistently showed violence as shootings, stabbings, punchings, and kicking occurred. Here the idea of gender discourse was also displayed as males and females both were victims. In essence, the violence in the music videos conveyed the message that the world is a dangerous place and that individuals should equip themselves with weapons and ammunition. Most of the aggressors that induced violence were blacks. Clearly, here the idea of stereotypes also comes in to play. Rich who spent 12 years as a film creator is clear on his perspective on how music videos influence violent behavior as he states, "Violence is a fact of life and a staple of drama… What changes its quality is how it is presented and resolved” To support his theory, Rich is quick to point out that the nation of Japan enjoys low levels of violent type behavior. Since violence is deemed as illogical, the perpetrators are quickly to be punished. However in United States, the aggressors are considered to have a heroic stigma attached to them where their acts of violence are not only justified but propagated. Art is one of the most intrinsic forms of expression and can have dramatic influence on individuals. Quite contrary to modern belief, much of the violence that is heavily prevalent in paintings is majority to discourage violence. Even speaking from that context, religious paintings can also be often viewed as violent. The crucifiction of Christ is a primary example of religious paintings can be depicted as violent but convey a message of sacrifice. Violent paintings are often to propagate individuals against the darkness of cruelty and pain. However, the recent society has embraced these concepts. Although violence fascinates and repels, it has become a trademark in art. Fictional portrayal of violence seems to be a new type of entertainment that can have negative effects. The point of suggesting violence into art is just for entertainment purposes and to induce thrill. Clearly, individuals who impose pain and violence on others possess that motive also. Films depicting violence is almost prevalent and is consistently showed to be a detrimental factor affecting kids. Movies have become a huge integration in the lives of children as they have an ever lasting impact. According to The Academy of Pediatrics says “More than one thousand scientific studies and reviews conclude that significant exposure to media violence increases the risk of aggressive behavior in certain children, desensitizes them to violence and makes them believe that the world is more of a “meaner” place than their initial mindset. To make matters worse, one incident proved that kids are likely to be highly affected when they view violence in movies. For instance, the movie the Matrix was a catalyst that initiated violence in high school students as high school students wore trench coats to portray their role as “the only savior” that can save humanity. Conducive research also shows that males are likely to play more video games than females and tend to embrace a more violent role in society. One of the most interesting aspects regarding violence is the association of gender and sexuality. Sexuality is a key concept in violence that is often shunned as it may be shocking and disturbing. Releasing sexual energy for individuals is unique because it can be exerted in many ways. For example, aggressive men who want to retaliate and decompress their anger are inclined to rape women. Sexually assaulting an individual does not necessarily mean that they have high libido but rather the emotional roller coaster that the victim undergoes. Women are not only rape victims as clearly depicted in the prisons. This issue is thoroughly investigated in Sharon Mason’s 'Fighting Bodies, fighting words: a theory and politics of rape prevention. Mason insists that the post modernistic feministic movement must not diminish the gravity of rape of women. She makes it clear that In fact, 20% of men are also rape victims. When men rape other men, it is often to show aggression and the “macho man” mentality. When men rape other women, it is to show their power and aggression against other women is seemed to be sympathetic, inferior, and helpless. Postmodern feministic theory tends to emphasize self-independency towards women and often tells them to embrace the struggles that come within. However, that does not mean that rape should be taken lightly. Not ascribing blame towards the rapist can be a major flaw as it allows criminals and abusers to roam the society freely. The post modernistic theory contains flaws as it contains the perspective that the woman is rapable as she coins the phrase, “the realities to circumscribe women’s lives” is clearly a demonic view of the issue at hand. Rape itself cannot be taken as granted and clearly rape cannot be reversed. It is not a financial issue and cannot be quantified as it clearly has dramatic effects. Homophobic violence an issue of serious gravity and clearly cannot be diminished. Gail Mason, author of Body Maps: Envisaging Homophobia, Violence and Safety, takes on an inquisitive approach to explore the consequences of homophobic hostility. Mason suggests that it is critical to understand the cultural and social values that can potently plague the humanitarian values of compassion and sympathy embedded in human nature. Any negative hostility and derogation of the sexual orientation of gay individuals is harmful as it can become catalyst towards violence. Mason is quick to point out the fact that homophobic hostility draws on deep roots of sexuality that is often misunderstood. Furthermore, studies suggest that one’s deep hatred incorporation can be due to one’s own flaws and self-confidence issues. The lash out on other homophobes can be due to the struggle to maintain one’s own homosexuality. A key criteria of sexuality that should not be dismissed is erotica. Erotica is unique in its own aspect because it combines violence, sexuality, pain and pleasure all into one experience. For some individuals, engaging in erotica sex is a universal method of expressing violence and pleasure at the same time. The victim may or may not be a victim of physical violence but may enjoy the derived attributes of the act itself. However, using sex to induce pain is an aspect that is also somewhat of a human characteristic. Nonetheless, it is important to understand that victims in these situations are forced to submit to the violent will of the transgressor. The notion of transgressing violence towards lesbians is another critical component of gender related studies that demands attention. Lesbian and gay theories have much infusion of fear initiated by violence. Fatal Women by Hart attempts to track the creation of the movement and the manifestation of the root cause of violence in the lesbian society. The most prominent challenge is to reveal the true orientation that is often hidden in midst of society. Moreover, Hart takes this opportunity to show the notion of an “aggressive women.” The heterosexual patriarchy is a key aspect to study as Hart insists that the lesbian disappears behind the masculine imaginary and her violence surfaces. This is interestingly as she embraces her so-called masculine trait of aggressive behavior. Women are paradoxically now viewed as violent in a dominant male society. The concept here is to overlook the fact she is a women and stereotype automatically that she is a soft person. Women also possess violent behavior but often times mask it. The shadow of a lesbian Hart argues is the wrong portrayal of the self-image of Lesbians. Lesbians in reality have been stereotyped as dangerous, aggressive, and predatory. That however does not remain true. Violence is lesbian and gay marriage has become alarming high as about 17-45% lesbians reporting being victims of violence. One aspect that society must not ignore is the fact that homosexuals often are victims of violence not only from the general public, but within the spheres of their own society too. 50% of the woman in the modern society have experience sexual abuse by their partners along with physical punishment such as pushing, kicking, and slapping. Clearly, lesbian and gay violence have become too common even as society begins to accept these individuals. The violence is not only exerted from the outside community but also within the gay community also. Lesbians who abuse other women do it for similar reasons as heterosexual males who abuse women in a married relationship. Violence is generated through gaining and maintaining power. Without a doubt, violence is prevalent in society through different forms. Violence is not always physical but can be exposed through different channels of abuse, power, rage and retaliation. It is a study of concern and can be meaningful in the study of gender and sexual studies. It attempts to question the motives of abuse and rage in both heterogeneous and gay societies. This type of violence is also prevalent in international spheres such as Africa, where women are victims of sexual and violent abuse. In order to address these problems, one must understand the root causes of violence through education, research, and raising awareness. Since gender disparities are highly apparent, additional research is needed to find the remedy for this problem. Hence, this issue will continue to be a focal point for future generations to come as they attempt to question the ambiguities of sexual and gender relationships as society advances to the 21st century. Works Cited "Africa Renewal | Standing against intolerance towards sexual minorities in Africa." 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Grossman, Dave, and Gloria DeGaetano. Stop teaching our kids to kill: a call to action against TV, movie & video game violence. New York: Crown Publishers, 1999. Renzetti, Claire M.. (1992) Violent betrayal: partner abuse in lesbian relationships. Newbury Park, Calif.: Sage Publications. "The Concerns about Movies | Violence." Media Awareness Network | Reseau education medias. http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/parents/movies/concerns/violence_movies.cfm (accessed August 28, 2011). Read More