Television and Society in the US - Research Paper Example

?Television and Society in the US Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Discussion 5 Impact on American Society 5 Programmes That HaveBeen Adapted From the British Television and Vice Versa 6 Impact on Youth 10 Conclusion 13 References 14 Introduction Television has significant impacts on the day-to-day life of the individuals as well as the society. It has been noticed that the impact depends notably on the nature of the programmes watched. It is worth mentioning that before the introduction of televisions the children were observed to opt for outdoor games more frequently. Besides, during the past decades when televisions were not invented, the children and their parents were likely to spend more time together. Hence, the bonding between the children and their parents was likely to be quite strong during the period when televisions were not introduced than that of today. It has been stated by various researchers that television is a kind of psychological addiction which discourages the individuals to perform creative as well as productive activities. In addition, it has been affirmed by certain researchers that television has a noteworthy impact on the behavior of individuals as well (Ballard, “The Effects of Television”) Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that television has significant impacts on the psychosomatic growth of individuals. It has noticed that the influences of television are more notable among the youth. The impacts of television can be positive as well as negative. These impacts are essentially dependent upon the age of the individual. It has been observed that the programs which demonstrate certain improper contents such as violence and abusive conversations are to have a negative impact on the youth (National Centre for Biotechnology Information, “Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth”). During the recent times, it has been recognized that in America, an increasing number of children have begun to watch television at an earlier age than which is recommended by the experts. Certain researches state that the influence of television on the children as well as youth depends upon the time duration of watching television. The longer the duration, the more severe will be the influence (National Centre for Biotechnology Information, “Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth”). Thesis Statement The objective of this paper is to discuss about the social impacts of television in America. This paper includes discussions about certain popular television programmes in America which have been taken from the British television and vice versa. This paper significantly emphasizes of the influence of television as well as other media on young people. Discussion Impact on American Society America is among the countries in which the society is significantly impacted by television. It has been affirmed by various researches that an average American individual spends about 4 hours a day by watching television. This accounts for almost 28 hours of television viewing per week and around 2 months of television viewing in a year. In this proportion, it can be stated that by the age of 65, an average American spends almost 9 years of his/her life in watching television. It has been stated by various researches that such a long duration television viewing can cause severe health hazards to the individuals. During the recent years, it has been affirmed by the American medical community that this kind of TV viewing can lead to violence in the society and also cause TV addiction among the individuals (California State University, Northridge, “Television & Health”). Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that television is one of the most influencing forces in the American society. Television performs quite a significant role in establishing the form of news information as well as its contents. It facilitates the individuals to connect with the society in which they reside. Television also plays a foremost function in terms of social control by the communicating the laws and the regulations and also educating the society about the authority figures. The commercial advertisements illustrated through the television networks act crucially in determining the consumer demand as well (Kellner, “Network Television and American Society: Introduction to a Critical Theory of Television.”). In addition, it has been noticed in various researches that the violent visuals in television series, film as well music videos have resulted in an increase in terms of aggressive behavior among the individuals in the short-run as well as in the long run. Short-term exposures to violent media are likely to result in a physical as well verbal aggressiveness in the individual characteristics such as behavior, thoughts and emotions among others (Anderson, Berkowitz, Donnerstein, Huesmann, Johnson, Linz, Malamuth and Wartella, “The Influence of Media Violence on Youth”) Programmes That Have Been Adapted From the British Television and Vice Versa Ab Fab is an American television series which has been adapted from the British television series and was known as Absolutely Fabulous. This series demonstrates the story of a female PR Agent who is drunkard as well as a drug addict. In this TV series she chases criminals for their misdeeds (BBC, “Absolutely Fabulous”). This series is likely to contain certain inappropriate visuals which are likely to have adverse impacts on the youth. As observed in several instances that the individuals in general and youth in particular fail to differentiate between the artificial situations and the real life circumstances. This type of series which involves crimes in it may lead the youth towards a wrong path. As it has been stated in certain researches that violent visuals is likely to influence the individuals towards demonstrating an aggressive behavior. Hence, this series is also likely to cause the young people to become aggressive as they grow up. Moreover, in most of the television series as well as films that the criminals do not get caught. Such kind of films and series’ can lead the individuals towards committing a crime. It has been observed in various researches that on an average, an American child views almost 8,000 murders in television before even finishing their primary schooling. Furthermore, by the age of 18, an average American adolescence is likely to witness almost 200,000 visuals of violence on television out of which almost 40,000 are murders. The American Medical Association has affirmed the fact that out of 3,000 cases in almost 2,888 cases it has been found that violence that are shown on the TV has been an informal aspect behind real life problems (California State University, Northridge, “Television & Health”). In terms of children, televised violence can have a number of adverse effects such as the children may nurture an aggressive attitude towards the society, it is also possible that they often get involved in criminal activities and in several instances it has also been noticed that it results in an increased extent of fear among the children and youth of being a victim of such violence (Kunkel, “The Effects of Television Violence”). Another famous American TV series that has been acclimatized from the British TV series is America’s Got Talent. The British version of this show was known as Britain’s Got Talent. This series is essentially a reality show channelized through the NBC television network which is a division of the global British Got Talent franchise. This show is fundamentally a talent hunt that encourages individuals of all ages. The participants are allowed to perform any activity in which they are good at. These activities include singing, dancing, magic shows and other activities as well. The participants in show compete for the announced prize of almost one million Dollars. The show began during the summer of 2006. This show has been recognized to provide an opportunity to the talented youth to demonstrate their talent in front of the world. The show implements quite a fair technique of judging i.e. by the vote of audience (NBC Universal Media, LCC. “America’ Got Talent. Shows Video Schedule”). This show is likely to act as an influencing factor for the youth to discover their hidden talents. It also provides them with a platform on which they could demonstrate their talents to the world. It has certain positive impacts unlike other TV series. This show is likely to motivate the individuals to carry out certain productive activities which would facilitate in better development of an individual’s mental as well physical capabilities. The show also encourages creative works from the participants which may further act as a motivational factor for the individuals to bring about new innovations. However, as mentioned before TV series can have both good as well as bad impacts depending upon the content and how it is perceived by the individuals. In this case, it is quite obvious that the children may attempt to perform the dangerous stunts that are shown on the programme if they are not supervised properly. In such cases, it may happen that they might hurt themselves or someone around them. In addition, another popular American TV series that has been adapted from a British series is the Prime Suspect. This is fundamentally a drama series that portrays procedural elements of the American police. The British version of this show was also known bearing the same title. This show provides an in-depth look into the homicide department of New York. This series depicts the story of a female homicide detective who has been newly transferred to a place where she was mostly disliked by others (NBC Universal Media, LLC., “Prime Suspect”). These kinds of TV series are also likely to contain violent visuals which can have significant adverse impacts on the youth. However, this show is likely to provide clear view about the legal systems of New York which further can educate the young people of America about the legal system. It is also possible that this kind of series would prevent the young people of America from getting involved into criminal activities. Moreover, it also provides a clear picture about the aftermaths of committing such crimes. This would assist the individuals in avoiding offensive activities. Furthermore, the youth may get motivated towards joining such security department which in turn can be regarded to beneficial for the society. It is worth mentioning that such kinds of TV series are not advisable for the children. This is because of the reason that the children below the adolescent age in most of the cases face difficulties in differentiating between the reality and the TV series. On the other hand, a television series named as Blockbusters has been adapted by the British television based on an American game show program. The program televised on British television is kept with the same name as in the American version. The program is generally designed to encourage individuals to participate in large numbers in a game show to display their knowledge and also attain relaxation (UK Gameshows.com, “Blockbusters”). However, the viewership of the program might create negative effects on especially the youth section of the society if they are not guided properly as they might feel that they can earn substantial amount of money from such game shows which might in turn discourage them from working hard. Impact on Youth Watching television is a kind of passive activity which restricts the young individuals from performing the essential mental and physical activities which are quite significant for leading a healthy life. Watching TV encourages certain unhealthy habits among the young individuals such as consuming junk foods. Certain researches have stated that number of hours spent in watching television is directly proportional to the amount of calories consumed by the individuals. This further increases the chance of over weightiness as well as obesity among the youth which has been recognized as one of the major difficulties faced by the American youth (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, “Overweight and Obesity among African-American Youths”). The impact of television and other media is quite significant among the children as well as the adolescents. Furthermore, the impacts are mostly negative in nature which causes several behavioral as well as health-related problems in them. The children who visualize violence in television or other such media such as video games are likely to execute the same in their life. The major reason behind these can be the fact that the children below the adolescent are likely to have minimum capabilities of distinguishing between the fantasy as well as the reality. Frequent exposures to violence can have severe adverse effects on the helping nature of an individual and lead them to grow aggressive. It has been revealed by certain researches that the young individuals who watch violent scenes in TV or play violent video games are likely to produce poor academic results. It has been further mentioned that the individuals, particularly the children and the adolescents who visualize violence activities such as terrorist attacks among others in television and other media suffer from stress, fears and also likely to have bad dreams which in turn can cause severe health related difficulties (Ray and Jat, “Effect of Electronic Media on Children”). In addition, media other than television series can also have adverse effects. For instance, it has been noticed that in certain instance if not supervised properly print media can cause the individuals especially females’ with adverse affects in terms of their health. Certain study conducted among the adolescent girls has revealed that a decrease in magazine readings results in reducing unhealthy eating habits to a significant extent as girls may get influenced adversely by reading diet related articles in magazines (Ray and Jat, “Effect of Electronic Media on Children”). However, television and other media have several positive impacts as well. Certain researchers have regarded television as a powerful teacher. This is because of the reason that television acts as a communication channel which binds the young people with the world outside home premise. The impacts of television and other media are solely dependent upon the nature of the programme and the perspective of the viewer. There are certain public programmes that replicate visit to libraries, zoo, museums and other such places of tourist interest. Such shows might facilitate the children as well as the adolescents to know more about the nature and environment in which they reside and may also educate them about the human history (National Centre for Biotechnology Information, “Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth”). Furthermore, advertisements can also have a positive impact on children and adolescents. For instance, it has been observed that certain alcohol companies pay out almost 10% of their total on advertisements that demonstrate the adverse effects of driving after consuming alcohol. Furthermore, certain advertisements also demonstrate the benefits of consuming milk as a result of which the children now-a-days are likely to consume milk more frequently which is further beneficial to their health (National Centre for Biotechnology Information, “Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth”). Apart from these, television in the present day context plays a major role in communicating latest news to the community. It facilitates the children and the adolescent to get acquainted with the latest happenings around them. Conclusion In the present day context, television has a significant influence over the society as well as on the individuals residing in it. The impact of television and other such media is likely to be more severe on the children and adolescents. The major reason behind this is the fact that most of the children as well as adolescents possess limited capabilities of differentiating between the television visuals and the real life conditions. The effects of television can be both positive as well as negative depending upon the nature of the content shown and the perspective of the viewer. However, it has been noticed that in most of the cases the impacts of television tend to be negative in nature. Television gives rise to several additional bad habits such as unhealthy eating habits and prevents the individuals from performing certain activities such as playing outdoor games and studying which are likely to be quite essential for proper mental and physical growth of an individual. Certain contents such as violent scenes tend to have most severe impacts on children and adolescents. These kinds of visuals lead the individuals to grow aggressive in nature. Nevertheless, television has several positive impacts as well such as it acts a major media for educating the individuals about the society in which they reside. In the US, television is observed to play a pertinent role in the lives of the people. The viewership of television needs to be channelized in a proper way so that it can reap largely benefits to the entirely society at large. References Anderson, Craig A., Leonard Berkowitz, Edward Donnerstein, L. Rowell Huesmann, James D. Johnson, Daniel Linz, Neil M. Malamuth and Ellen Wartella. The Influence of Media Violence on Youth. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 2003. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. Ballard, M. Russel. The Effects of Television. Ensign, 1989. Web. 30 Jun. 2012. BBC. Absolutely Fabulous. Award-Winning Sitcom Set In the World of Fashion and PR, 2012. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. California State University, Northridge. Television & Health. Television Statistics, n.d. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. Kellner, Douglas. “Network Television and American Society: Introduction to a Critical Theory of Television.” Theory and Society 10.1 (1981): 31-62. Print. Kunkel, Dale. The Effects of Television Violence. The Effects of Television Violence on Children, 26 Jun. 2007. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. National Centre for Biotechnology Information. Impact of Media Use on Children and Youth. Paediatr Child Health, 2003. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. NBC Universal Media, LLC. America’ Got Talent. Shows Video Schedule, n.d. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. NBC Universal Media, LLC. Prime Suspect. Shows Video Schedule, n.d. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Overweight and Obesity among African-American Youths. Leadership for Healthy Communities, 2010. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. Ray, Munni and Ram Jat. Effect of Electronic Media on Children. Perspective, 17 Jul. 2010. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. UK Gameshows.com. Blockbusters, n.d. Web. 02 Jul. 2012. Read More