Film and American Culture Studies - Essay Example

Task Effects of Movies on Culture Introduction Culture is a way of people’s life, how they reflect, their standpoints and theirway of living. Movies are stories that are recorded in camera and are usually shown in TV. Movies have both unconstructive and encouraging influence on the culture of a populace. Mostly, majority of adults think that movies have a negative influence on culture while the teenagers and youth think that movies influence culture positively. However, it should be noted that movies influence culture in one way or the other. There are different cultures in the world, just the same way as there are different movies. The way a certain movie influences a certain culture it is not same way it affects another culture. Certain cultures may think that action movies may instill violence to their child. Some parents argue that children will want to practice and experience what they watch in movies. A program such as wrestling is said to nurture and build a violent person (Funk, et al, 23–39). This will not be the case to other cultures because they might find it to be educative. The Chinese and Japanese like practicing soldierly arts; hence, they will find action movies to be educative because they can learn some skills from these movies. Other cultures find action movies to be entertaining. This is because in their everyday life, they encounter many risks, for example, the Maasai culture occupation is practiced around the forest as they graze their animals. They may find these movies to be entertaining as they experience a lot of violence with the wild animals. Some parents argue that action movies will instill braveness in children, especially cultures that undergo painful initiation. Some cultures recommend the circumcision of their men without being sedated to show braveness in a man. The other category of movies that have both positive effects on culture is the soap operas. These movies have different sagas, typically focusing on love. Parents feel that these movies will poison their children relationship issues at an early age. They feel that their children will start engaging in sexual action at an early age. Indian culture believes that people should not engage in sex until they are married. These movies will affect their culture negatively as young people will get involved passionately. It is also Indian customary for marriages and spouses to be arranged by parents, but after young people watch these soap operas, they feel they have a right to decide on their marriage life thus violating their culture. Other cultures find these soap operas to be informative and educative. For instance, these cultures feel that they educate people on how solve shaky relationship because they are true reflective of what happens in real life. These movies are educative in that they answer many questions to children. Parents are sometimes shy to converse matters pertaining to love and sex. They are unable to answer questions in this area hence these movies answer children questions. The other categories of movies that have both positive and negative impacts are the drama movies. These movies show how people use their wits and knowledge to solve certain issue. For example, a movie like Prison Break show how convicts gang up and use their wits to escape from prison. Children may try to put these in practice, hence skiving and absconding classes. These influence cultures in a negative manner. Some drama movies tackle the concern of bullying. For example, a movie like American Girl Stands Strong shows how some characters bully others in the school. Children may practice this and use it to bull other children. This may in turn result in forming an oppressive culture where some people are made to feel oppressive. Other drama movies address relationship issue. A movie like Desperate Housewives has shown a lot of unfaithful relationship. These may result in the buildup of cultures with infidelities; hence, separations and divorce will be the order of the day. They may also influence the religious cultures negatively which believe that marriage is a sacred institution from God. The other category of movie that influences culture is the scientific fiction movies (Barnet, 24). These movies reveal characters with extra ordinary powers. These movies present characters with the ability to fore tell the future stop certain natural occurrence like wind and the ability of a person to change someone’s life. Many cultures may result into witchery because people suppose there certain powers. It is also a form of blasphemy to many cultures, which believe that women can posses this kind of powers. These scientific fiction movies have put many lives of people in danger. A movie like Superman has shown that the main character has the ability to fly. Children sometimes go to high building to see whether this kind of powers can work for them. Scientific- fictions moves have helped cultures embraced technology. Scientific fiction movies that deal with forensic matters have shown that evidence can be got from scratch. This has tremendously helped in reduction of criminal activities globally. Documentary movies are the other category of movies that influence cultures in different directions. These movies mainly talk about animals, culture and traditions, and the environment. These movies have sensitized different cultures on the importance of varied environmental phenomenon. Some cultures believed that the girl-child does not require formal education and that her place is at home doing the household chores. The girl-child is strained into marriage at an early age. Through these documentary movies, cultures have reconsidered their belief in this issue and they have sent the girl child to school. This has undoubtedly influenced cultures in the positive ways. Some cultures have the practice of circumcising the girl child. The documentary movies have shown how dangerous this is. To start with, the woman reproductive arrangement is interfered with, and there is the likelihood that the girl will have problems in conceiving. These movies have shown that if it is done badly it can even lead to death. Many cultures have reconsidered this move, thus dropping the practice. This has unquestionably had a constructive impact on cultures. Other documentary movies have sensitized dissimilar cultures on the importance of conserving the natural resources. These movies have emphasized on the significance of conserving a natural resource like forests. They have shown that forests help in stabilizing the climate and purifying the air. Many western cultures have held conferences due to these movies to sensitize the importance of forest conservation. Cultures that got their income from timbering are considering agriculture and other sources of income. Some cultures have conserved the forests and they are using them as places of worship. Other cultures believe that when someone has a clogged mind, it is advantageous to take a walk around the forest because it clears the mind. These movies have influenced cultures on the importance of conserving the environment. These movies also show how significant it is to conserve the wild life. They have shown wildlife is a source of tourism income and it should be protected. Cultures that engage in poaching as a source of trade have reconsidered changing to the other approach, hence conserving the environment. The other categories of movies that have influenced cultures are the pornographic movies. These movies have an off-putting impact to culture and traditions. These movies have turned young children to commercial sex workers, affecting cultures negatively. Many illegal businesses are operated due to the influence of these movies. Brothels have been opened, and immature children are going to these places to make money dishonestly. These kinds of jobs undermine people morality and dignity, hence the buildup of an immoral culture. They have influenced people to absurd practices like homosexuality and lesbianism. These practices are against a variety of cultures and hence affecting people morality. The other category that influences cultures differently is comedy movies. These movies usually present a lot of humor. Unlike other movies, comedy movies can be watched by both parents and children at the same time. For example, a movie such as Mr. Bean is usually watched by folks at the same time. These movies usually provide time for parents and children to share their jokes together hence tightening the bond of the family. It is through these that people are able to share their problems too. These movies have influenced people into jovial mood. These movies can make people take everything as a joke, even the issues that need to be address with urgency and seriousness they deserve. This in turn may land people into problems. The other categories that influence different cultures are cartoon movies. These movies are usually watched by children hence providing a forum for education and entertainment. For example, a movie like Tom and Jerry has profoundly affected learning to children. This movie characterizes a cat and mouse, these help children to know different names of animals and discriminate between domestic and wild animals. These movies help in the buildup of a civilized culture. Cartoon movies entertain children hence keeping them busy. Idleness has been noted to be the root of all evil deeds. These moves help to keep children away from mischievous and fishy actions. Religious movies are the other category of movies that influence cultures and traditions. These movies help in giving direction and guidelines to people. These movies advice people on what is expected of them. People faith is buildup and makes them believe in things they cannot see. These movies are also used for comforting people, for instance, a person may be undergoing a difficult time but after watching these movies, his or her spirits are raised. These movies have helped cultures to deal with different issues pertaining to spirits. Conclusion Different movies have different influence to different cultures. People should not generalize that the impact a certain movie has on a certain culture is the same impact it will have to another culture. Pornographic movies are the only movies that affect negatively to all cultures. These movies degrade the morals and dignities of different cultures. Generally, movies are seen to educate, entertain and inform, but it is not always necessary to emulate whatever is seen in the movies. Works Cited Barnett, Michael, et al. The impact of science fiction film on student understanding of science. Journal of science education and technology, vol. 15 pg 2, April 2006. Funk, Jeanne, et al. Violence exposure in real-life, video games, television, movies, and the internet: is there desensitization? Journal of Adolescence 27 (2004) 23–39. Read More