The Effects of the Media Violence on Violent Behaviours - Essay Example

The Effects of the Media violence in Violent Behaviours: Violence against Women and Children Abuse The Effects of the Media violence in Violent Behaviours: Violence against Women and Children Media plays an important role in developing the culture and educating the society. Media has the power of transforming the choices and attitudes of the whole society by merely portraying things in a manner they wish to. People believe in media and somehow take inspiration from the characters on TV, actors in movies, models in magazines, authors of magazines or anchors of Radio. An estimation reveals that on average, Americans probably watch television for 1550 hours, spend approximately 1160 hours in listening to radio programs and nearly 290 hours are spent in reading newspapers, magazines and blogs (Eastman, 2003). This level of interaction with media confirms the reliance of the audience on the information provided on these mediums. This paper aims to analyze the effects of media violence and sexual exposure on children and women. Media Exposure and Effects on Women: Media, which may give fame or may defame any particular group, thing, sport, news or place, has apparently underrepresented the participation of females in business, sports or other events (Perse, 2001 p. 167). More and more advertisements of male sporting events, business success stories and academic achievements have been broadcasted. However, less or no consideration to female athletes, high achieving students or business champions have cut off the interest of sponsors, viewers and general population. This shows the discriminated portrayal of women in media and advertisements. If we use sports as a field where women are discriminated, a claim which may be helpful is the fact that less advertisements and support is provided to women sporting events. Women are not only facing difficulties in proving their distinct identity in the sports world but the media misrepresentation is also putting their actual image at a great risk (Bartsch et al., 2000). They are represented as young, slim and sexy women instead of making them known for their professional athletic qualities. Portraying them in their swimming costumes (instead of their sports uniform) and interviewing them about their marriages and personal issues make it more difficult for women to prove their existence in the sports world as great athletes. Media represents them as a symbol of fashion or beauty. Their image is spoiled by making scandals in the context of drugs involving their husbands (International Herald Tribune). Although sexual discrimination has been reduced on the official level, yet the society does not accept women equivalent to men. Media still is continuing with this discrimination in one way or the other. This view may be a result of media representation of female athletes, leading business figures and academic gems as a part of gossip, fashion and glamour. These biased portrayals create negative and aggressive behaviours of women towards the society at large. This discriminated attitude towards women is creating aggression among the females against the society. Burt (1980) has put forward the idea that discriminating, humiliating and degrading media portrayals of women give rise to rape-supportive attitudes and practices. Lanis and Covell (1995) conclude that “exposure to common advertisements in which women are portrayed as sex-objects might be sufficient to increase hostile sexual attitudes among males.” The portrayal of women in media is creating chaos and dissatisfaction among women. The persistent and enticing advertisements that portray women as beautiful, elegant, thin-bodied and stunning appearances are creating early sexual desires in young males on one hand and creating frustration and depression in women and young girls’ on the other. The media contain content that instigate ladies to change their dietary habits, lose weight, remain fit and work out on regular basis. The media messages involve language and statements that promotes a desire in women to look slim, beautiful and attractive (Coltrane et al., 2000). Media clearly uses the knowledge about women psychology by portraying slim ladies as happy, satisfied and loveable by their children, parents, husbands and other relatives. Women are becoming more and more conscious about their physical appearance and try every possible way to catch the attention of others. The advertisements and whole media are responsible for this changing attitude of women towards their image. The effect of such exposure is no longer limited to females but the choices and likes of men are also shifting. Even the young preadolescent girls are also involved in this race of losing weight and making their appearance more attractive to get attention from the opposite gender, friends or family members (Clark & Tiggemann, 2006). People like what they see the most on television, banners and internet. Such attitudes impose certain beauty standards on women which they are then compelled to follow to be a part of the society and to enlarge their social circle. All these factors are specially creating profits for the businesses which are aimed to produce and sell weight loss tablets, food supplements and other dietary products (BBC News, 2003). However, it has been observed that all these products result in temporary weight loss and approximately 90 to 95 percent population using it regains the weight once they stop using the product. This further increases the frustration and leads to psychological and emotional distress among women. Approximately 90 percent of normal bodied females believe that they are either overweight or have some problem with their appearance i.e. they remain dissatisfied in one way or the other (CWHN). In a study, Pole et. Al. (2004) concludes that body dissatisfaction in women is another major reason for misunderstandings, psychological stress and broken relationships. The increased aggressive attitudes of males towards their spouses and the isolation of women dissatisfied from their body image, hence is another risk associated with media exposure. There is a wide range of studies that suggest that media portrays men and women differently and it in turn is affecting the society. Many steps have been taken to stop this discrimination and biased environment. It is commonly seen in the advertisements that thin, beautiful and physically attractive women are featured to attract people. Women who are fat, obese or even slightly overweight are being insulted in some way. They are normally featured in comic shows or beauty products advertisement as a disgrace or failing part of the society (Fouts and Burgraff, 2000). Such depictions are a source of negative thoughts among the women. Male counterparts are normally depicted as strong, busy and successful businessmen or lively, perfect and happy husbands. Women are more often portrayed as sex objects. The society contains individual and such portrayals are affecting the individualistic approach of people. Women are now more worried about their physical appearance and opt to use the dietary products and diet food supplements. The effects of such products are limited and the weight regain takes them to great grief and depression. The advertisements and the whole media are responsible for creating this image of women and the depression and tension that persists in their minds. A number of researchers are concerned with the causes and effects of aggression and eroticism in media programmes of all sorts. The effects of such portrayals and exposure on sexual violence have been a controversial issue. Many changes have occurred to save the society form suffering the consequences of the violence exposure. Pornography has been banned owing to the negative impacts which were being observed. More and more research papers are being created to lessen and somehow, eliminate the risks associated with media violence exposure. The new trend on the popular media of portraying murders and sexual harassment has created another major area for the concerned people to research, analyze and take necessary steps to stop the harmful effects. More and more people are now exposed to murders, aggressive behaviours and rape scenes via media. This heavy exposure has led to the visibility of these crimes to a large public which was never apparent to them in past and especially in their routine life. This heavy exposure to rape scenes and sexual harassments are creating new difficulties in the form of increased sexual violence. The use of violent exposure, blood, aggression and sexual harassment has been increased in the music videos, movies, dramas and so on. The media, in this context, is harming the psychological wellbeing of people. In order to understand the effect of this sexual exposure and sexual violence against women a number of studies have been carried out. For instance, a study reveals that college men’s perceptions and beliefs are strengthened as they learn from the sexually unrestrained magazines that women tend to get pleasure from forced sex (Malamuth & Check, 1985). Check (1984) studies the behaviours and attitudes of Canadian male samples frequently exposed to pornographic media and conclude that such exposure leads to greater approval of violence against women. In order to understand the consequences of rape and sexual portrayal on the perception of people a number of experimental studies have been carried out. Malamuth and Check (1980) reveal that the sample of men who were shown positively perceived rapes of women (i.e. when women were sexually excited) considered rape as a less violent act than those who were exposed to negative consequences of rape scene. In movies like ‘Swept Away’ women are depicted as not being intensely affected by the violent male behaviours and rapes. Hence, it is not baseless to believe that such exposure of women in the mass media is affecting people’s perceptions and behaviours. The violent nature and aggressiveness associated with rapes is being miscalculated. Media Exposure and Effects on Children: Nowadays, the importance of media in our lives cannot be ignored. Media is somehow responsible for the changes in society. Children are more likely to adopt the behaviours and fashions shown in the television programs. “It is clear that heavy exposure to media violence causes an increase in the likelihood of future aggressive and violent behavior” (Chaves, 2008 p. 148). It is a scientific concept that media is not the only cause of aggressive behaviours and violence however, it is proved that heavy exposure to media violence increases the chance of future aggressive and violent behaviours. The results of a number of studies and experiments conducted in regards to find out the role of media in increasing smoking habits in adolescents. The advertisement on television, magazines, video games and internet grabs the attention of children and acts as a strong motivational force for them to light a cigarette. They get fascinated to the glamorous way in which the advertisements are made. Television and movies are supposed to have a great impact on alcohol consumption in adolescents. Children, who watch more television, are likely to have increased chances of alcohol consumption. Regardless of the grade of movie, media is continuously exposing alcoholic beverages as a source of fun and fashion. Advertisements during children programs are not carefully designed and contain aggressive behaviour, exposure to alcohol and smoking etc. Advertisements today contain sensual messages and images which are contributing to the likelihood of early sexual initiation in adolescents. Advertisements are influencing the psychosocial environment by sexual exposure on television, music videos, internet and movies. Alcohol consumption encourages aggression and violence as the normal brain functions are disrupted due to alcoholism. Alcohol is responsible for weakening the brain mechanisms which keep rash, violent and aggressive behaviours under control. This aggression is one of direct effects of alcohol consumption. Hence, increased alcohol consumption may be related to increased aggression and violence (Gustafson, 1994). Children get a lot of information from television and believe what they watch. They trust their favourite characters beating the monsters and so called ‘bad guys’ after having an energy drink or milk or some other product. They perceive it all to be true and are more likely to consume that particular product and imitate those characters in every possible manner. Such portrayals are of course not true and advertisements are exaggerating the energy and effects of products. They target children because children are easily influenced by such fantasies. Children who watch aggressive and violent movies are likely to behave aggressively and choose violent games to play than those who do not watch television or violent shows. The advertisements nowadays are targeting young generations and are using different characters as powerful objects and promoting their products by portraying them as a source of energy and supremacy (Chaves, 2008). The characters of children’s favourite movies, cartoons and games are portrayed with a cigarette, wine bottle or involvement of that character in some sexual activity also affect the children’s perceptions and thoughts. The aggressive behaviours of action animated characters (like superman, batman, power-puff girls etc.) also increase the probability of their future aggressive behaviours. Advertisements involve these characters to attract young consumers and indirectly affect their behaviours. Children live in their fantasy world and believe everything they watch or are told of. They perceive the effects of products as are exposed and try to use the brand that their favourite cartoon character or hero uses in the media content. The irony is the fact that they imitate the action of those characters which more often result in aggressive behaviours and leave long lasting effects on their behaviours (Strasburger, & Donnerstein, 1999). The act of imitation and copying the media characters, however, is not the only way children are affected by violence exposure. One more common psychological process that is associated with media exposure is desensitization. This process points towards the emotional response of a person as a result of a particular action. People who are exposed to the dangers associated with wild animals are more likely to become psychologically upset and emotionally aroused if they face them in real. They are more likely to fight against it or protect themselves in some way. However, if they are exposed to wild animals in a more friendly and safe way, they are more likely to stay calm and relaxed. The reflexes of the body do not overreact as the psychological concomitants of fear are disabled. In the same way, violence exposure in media brings on a powerful emotional reaction in viewers by continuous exposure to injuries, sexual harassment, kidnappings, wars and fights. However, a continuous exposure to such violent activities and aggression result in violence tolerant behaviours. Cline, Croft, & Courrier, 1973) reveal that desensitization end up with less emotional distress and intense reactions in the viewers when they observe violence. The media, hence, is making space for violent behaviours and is not only encouraging those behaviours but also making people resistant to violence and aggression. Conclusion: All these effects of media are harming the society and must be considered when designing media content. The more aggression and biased is shown, the more are the negative impacts on the society. Children, who are the greatest asset of our world, are being harmed for such careless attitudes of people associated with media. The aggressive behaviours, early drinking and smoking habits and brand consciousness among children are creating problems for themselves and for the people associated with them. The whole society is suffering for the mistakes of a few people and their benefits. Media exposure is also disrupting the social order by exposing sexual discrimination. It is, undoubtedly, affecting the roles and status of women in society. Moreover, the perceptions of men about females and their status is also affected. Negative attitudes and aggressive behaviours are, hence, promoted by such exposure. Bibliography: Bartsch, R. A., Burnett, T., Diller, T. R., & Rankin-Williams, E. (January 01, 2000). Gender Representation in Television Commercials: Updating an Update. Sex Roles,43, 735-743. 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