Understanding the Causes behind Increasing Violence in Our Culture - Literature review Example

Understanding the causes behind increasing violence in our culture Our society is presumably “hyper-masculine” and “hyper-violent”. The world we live in is not perfect and so is our life; that is why self-destructive or socially unacceptable behaviors are gaining prominence in society. It can be said that violence has been deeply rooted in our culture since ages and its causes must now be acknowledged and researched for retaining peace in the society. The nature and dominion of violence in today’s age has changed drastically, and it is not an issue that results from wars or terrorism only. Today, violence has become a part of everyday life, and people have started to recognize it as an indispensable part of any society’s cultural norms and activities. The reasons, causes, and sources are countless that are spreading and nurturing violence in different forms. This paper analyzes the most significant causes of violent behaviors, and the way it has affected society. Violence basically occurs when resources are not sufficient, or people are dis-satisfied with their lives. The growing violence in our culture is a critical issue now, and the causes can be attributed to personal, individual, psychological, social, and communal aspects of a person’s life. According to H. P Brown, “Violence in our culture is fed by multiple forces - the disintegration of family life, media influences, growing substance abuse, the availability of so many weapons, and the rise of gangs and increasing youth violence” (Kawilarang 471). This means that various factors are playing a noticeable part in spreading violence, and people are getting immune to its presence and dominance. In an article by Kerby Anderson it was evaluated that “violent crime has increased by more than 560 percent since 1960 in America, and a 1994 poll found more than half the children questioned said they were afraid of violent crime against them or a family member“(Anderson). Jacques Coubard reported that at present the crime rates in America are escalating at a rate of “2.5 to 2.7 percent” every year (Coubard). Youth is also heavily attracted towards violence, and statistics reveal that in America about 28% adolescent boys carry a weapon at school, 27% teenagers want to own a gun, and 15% of high-school students seriously considered about attempting suicide (Borba). This shows that social values are not being observed any more, and peace is at risk in today’s cultural ethics irrespective of the age or gender. The main aspect of our lives that results in violent outburst is the social conditions and position of an individual in both psychological and economic context. Socio-economic conditions determine the lifestyle, and circumstance of an individual, as well as channel the mannerisms and behaviors in the right or wrong direction. Families belonging to low-income category are most likely to indulge in various forms of violence to make ends meet (Phillips 51). Economic conditions largely affect an individual’s perception towards society, and violence occurs when negativity and pessimism start to dominate a person’s cognition. This is the main reason behind the increasing rate of violent behaviors in under-developed or poor countries. Other individual or personal aspects that nurture violence are racial and ethnic issues. Racially oppressed people are the most probable perpetrators of crime and violence. For instance, in American society, the African American, Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Asian, and Native Americans are the ones who mostly become the target of economic suppression and subscribers of homicidal attempts (Marable et al 608). “Forty percent of African Americans and Latinos now live in poverty, and their youth unemployment rates range from 60 to 80 percent” (Marable et al 608). The pro-corporate, and racism prone governmental or business related policies can largely be blamed for promoting racial discrimination within a society, which in turn influences people towards committing crimes and social evils. “The current round of ethnic and sectarian violence is ironically linked to the apparent triumph of economic globalization and institutional transformation.” (Crawford and Lipschutz 4) In such a scenario, hopelessness and desperation among minorities becomes obligatory, as they cannot see a promising future for themselves or their upcoming generation. This segregation compels them to abandon society and rely on immoral or hyper-violent activities. Racial and economic segregation has ruined the psyche of today’s youth and harmful behaviors are now becoming common. It can be stated that today young adults or teenagers are largely involved in violent activities than the older generation. As stated by B. J Phillips, “violence is no longer just an inner-city gang phenomenon, and adults are no longer the only perpetrators of violence” (Phillips 52). Desperation and aggression are the main factors that is causing the young generation towards un-appropriate deeds. Young people are not only committers of violence but are its main target as well. Michele Borba has stated that “just as youth homicide rates have risen dramatically in recent decades, so too have youth suicide rates skyrocketed – 400 percent since 1950.” (Borba) Poor peer or community relationships and poverty are the main factors behind such behaviors, but the inclination towards tobacco or drug usage, and alcohol consumption are also pushing young people towards violence. This can be attributed to the fact that unhealthy and harmful products are readily available everywhere and strongly promoted at national and international levels. Another aspect that compels the young minds towards criminal or violent activities is academic failures, organizational deterrents, and poor family functioning. Today, people have grown accustomed to the dynamism of nuclear family, and utter disregard is shown towards religion, communal responsibilities, family values, and acknowledging civil rights. Due to the constant decline in moral values, social evils are gaining prominence or momentum in society and becoming a part of the cultural system. The aspect of religion in promoting violence is important to be clarified in this regard. It is a common assumption that religious beliefs and clashes can dangerously promote violent behaviors in a social setting. The fact that is usually never acknowledged is that religious doctrines are mere transmitters of a definite and preferable way of life. The conflict between secularism and religion is what ignites the fire and proclaims violence. Post 9/11, the world has been divided into two prominent sections, peacemakers and religious fanatics (Cavanaugh 2). There has been an onslaught of unending violence in the name of religion, and to eradicate fanaticism. However, terrorism cannot be attributed to religious ideologies, because it is a matter of statutory and political skirmishes. Today, a huge amount of violent activities are being conducted in the name of religion, and it has separated the society into many halves. The fact is that religions never encourage violence it is actually the clash of civilizations that is causing the abrupt and severe hatred among different sections of society (Cavanaugh 3). If religious beliefs are misinterpreted then “it arouses powerful and irrational impulses and can easily destabilize society, cause political havoc, and create evitable hell on earth. It often breeds propensity towards violence” (Cavanaugh 7). The most integral promoter of social evils and cultural segmentation is the media and most importantly the wrong programming concepts that are currently dominating the global communication mediums. Electronic media especially has circulated violence in the form of inaccurate, sensationalized news, and irresponsible entertainment material. For example, “movies, television, evening news programs, and the print media are filled nightly with images of women as victims, as prey, and as targets of stalking, anger, hatred or revenge” (Sgarzi and McDevitt 70). These behaviors are saturated in the society as normal conducts, and that is why criminal activities against women such as sexual assaults etc. are increasing at an alarming rate. Programs that accentuate on cheap thrills eventually lead people towards a state of Neurasthenia (Sgarzi and McDevitt 70). Violence and gore is becoming an overpowering domain in entertainment programming and this heavily influence the mental approach of individuals most specifically developing young minds. However, the fact cannot be overlooked that electronic media has played an important role in creating awareness about various social, medical, and political issues such as producing campaigns on AIDS or Cancer, or formulating political perceptions(Sgarzi and McDevitt 71) . Nonetheless, a lot of damage has also been done through negligent attitudes in this regard. Kids are the ones who get most affected because a lot of their time is spent in front of television. Even the video games and cartoons that are being developed for young minds lay emphasis on violence and glamorize aggressive behaviors. This approach has plagued the society and the outcome of such careless productions has been strong and drastic. Elizabeth Thoman states about this situation that “even if we don’t become more aggressive ourselves, we are all affected by the way others behave toward us. And by seeing violence over and over, we also learn to accept and tolerate violence as "the way things are" (Elizabeth). An analysis of the probable causes that propagate violence in a society brings forth the conclusion that it is most likely an outcome of communal and political misconducts or irresponsible approaches from influential sectors. If civil rights are properly observed, practiced, and encouraged, then the situation can definitely be controlled. Effective solutions are indeed required to minimize the unemployment and racism issues, and improvise the state of minorities in a society. Spreading awareness about the true ideologies and rightful teachings of religions will promote harmony among different segments within a community and may help in eradicating the prevailing religious hostilities. Works Cited Anderson, Kerby. "Violence in Society." Leadership U. Probe Ministries, Web. 11 Nov 2012. . Borba, Michele. "Facts About Violence and American Youth." Building Moral Intelligence. Michele Borba, Ed.D. Web. 11 Nov 2012. . Cavanaugh, William H. "Does Religion Cause Violence." Harvard Divinity Bulletin. 35.2&3 (2007): 2-7. Print. Coubard, Jacques. "Violence on the Increase in the USA ." IHumanite . 10 2007. Web. 11 Nov 2012. . Crawford, Beverly, and Ronnie D Lipschutz. The Myth Of Ethnic Conflict: Politics, Economics, and Cultural Violence. University of California, 1998. 4. Web. Read More