Speak Out!
Violence on TV
Tue, 05/29/2007 - 22:16 | Youth
Media have made much of an FCC report, Violent Television Programming and Its Impact on Children, which calls on Congress to draft tougher programming regulations. An article in USA Today summarizes:
A new draft report from the Federal Communications Commission suggests the government may be able to limit violence on TV in a way that does not violate the Constitution. Citing studies, the draft says there is evidence that violent programming can lead to "short-term aggressive behavior in children," according to an agency source, who asked not to be identified because the FCC has not approved the report.Does violence on TV require congressional intervention? Can the industry do a better job of policing itself? Or is the ultimate filter the on/off switch?
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Comments
I think that this generation
I think that this generation is growing at an alarming rate. Youth in America today are more advanced than what is acceptable. Television has become a substitute and so has the internet, and we have become people of monkey see monkey must do. Violence is just the tip of the iceberg, pregnancy packs. For what and it seems as if we aren't shocked anymore and we have almost accepted this for our youth and those generations to follow. When it seems like that isn't enough now they're typing their violent acts, sex acts, because "famous" people do and because it's done in the movies. But at what cost and how much are we willing to pay?
Well the obvious answer to
Well the obvious answer to the question of "what to do with violence on television?" is simple. The answer is that if you do not wish to view it, then don't. If you don't want your kids to, then don't let them. It is much easier to let kids do what they want, but how responsible is that? No responsibility whatsoever. The fact is we make it a point that this (the U.S.) is a free country and whatever is out there should be made able to be seen by whoever and whenever they want it. However the freedom goes both ways: look if you want, don't if you don't want to.
The same people that want
The same people that want limited government, are suddenly too ignorant to raise their own children and want help in keeping their kids from watching trash on TV???
The way to keep kids from watching too much inappropriate television, is to not get cable or any of those other cutesy extras, that air vulgar programming. That leaves just regular network television.
Yes, that's a bit racy too...BUT...inappropriate programming on regular network television, NEVER comes on before 8:00 P.M. And kids should be in bed by that time anyway.
So send them to bed and cut off the cable. And that means the parents don't watch it either or at the very least, have it on one television that kids can't get access to. I just think it's ridiculous to have the government step in to parent other people's children. They should step in during natural disasters and other crises but not for this.
The drunk and the shrink
The drunk and the shrink [TURN OFF THE TV AND PLAY MONOPOLY]; read a book to your children; pop in a dvd!!! g-pg ratings for families. Take charge in your homes. Sports has always been a way to help. Baseball is cool; Basketball, Tennis, Football, Soccer games to keep our children healthy. Have we as black folks become lazy? And is it's showing up as overweight black children?
This society has gone wild;
This society has gone wild; we are a nation of narcissism. Even we as black people are not working or living hand in hand, we are out for self. This way of living is prevalent in the entertainment that our children are exposed to. Every investor, producer, director, actor, politician and parent has a responsibility to protect the minds that are influenced by the programming that is aired either on public or cable networks.
The innocence of our children has to be surrounded and protected by us. We are the protectors and we need to sacrifice our own indulgences for the health of our young ones.
As right-winged conservatives
As right-winged conservatives argue about the "moral fiber" of our nation degrading, I think we must all come to face the stark fact that it is in large due to media and what they present or don't present.
I have had this argument with my colleagues and family for some time - our conclusion is that YES the govt. does need to step in and YES family needs to as well. I contend govt. more than family.
I've been an educator and teacher for some time. What I've found problematic is that many families, parents, etc., cannot or don't have the time to properly manage media anymore. The average American household has at least 2 if not 3 televisions, cable included, 1 computer with Internet access, numerous cellphones, some with Internet, IPODs, GAMING systems where many of the kids rent or borrow violent games, DVDs, CDs, magazines, etc. That's a lot compared to "Back in the Day". And with the average family, particularly black family, split, fractured, or modified (extended to where it's Grandma and/or Grandpa raising the kids), the average amount of time spent getting to and from work extended, and the average amount of time spent by kids and others watching TV or listening to music (particularly black kids and families), it's extremely hard for families to properly manage these things alone.
When you can say ASS and BITCH and DAMN on public TV and radio, that's a message sent to our kids. Only govt., can fix this because it's obvious that left to media, they won't.
Democracy seems not to exist
Democracy seems not to exist in this country anymore. Everything seem to becoming controlled by the government, just like in Communism, except everybody salary is not controlled by the govenment. Either it's Communism or Socialism, where oneday, it going to be Kings and Queens, Knights and lords, servants and peasants of this country, run by the King and Queen, like in England, if the government continues to limit the free enterprise. It's the people vote. Whatever the FCC or the FTA, decides, let it be, let it be!
Sincerely,
Reginia Howard
I feel uncomfortable with
I feel uncomfortable with Congress regulating television. However, we have to admit, profanity and violence on tv has gotten out of control. What happened to the days when it was unheard of to hear profanity on tv? Whatever changed, let's get that back. I believe it was the introduction of cable and then network tv had to succumb to the same indecency to keep viewership. No, I don't think Congress can fix it, but it will take more than just turning off the tv. It would take America turning away from the almighty profit in corporate America.
I would suggest both
I would suggest both intervention-you can have government intervention and you can have the on/off switch intervention. Parent’s responsibility should be number one but just in case Mom/Dad is not around the parental blocker works well. When I was growing up we were not allowed to watch violent movies the only thing that I can remember that scared the wizards out of me were this program called "Dark Shadows with Barnabas as the vampire... What a horror adventure that was... Television in the seventies and eighties had producers in my opinion that had morals and good character. I can't remember too many things on television that was offensive... We had cartoons like Speedy Racer, The Jetsons, the Flintstones-my favorite, The Jackson five, Charlie Brown-I wonder why the teacher never was able to talk, Roadrunner a coyote chasing a giant bird-which he never caught, and Jungle George-WATCH OUT FOR THAT TREE...LOL... Pink Panther -a cool pink cat...Popeye and Brutus-fighting over a tall linky woman who never changed clothes...Walt-Disney movies with tinker bell. Deputy Dog...Bugs Bunny....oopps let me stop reminiscing...lol.I must confess I still watch cartoons... But everything was innocent and pure at least that was the picture painted for my eyes. When sitcoms would come on if there were a husband and wife in the picture they had separate beds to sleep in... I didn't have things that made me wonder as a little girl-it was only when I became a teenager my curiosity enlarged. That innocent part of my life I wish that children could experience today-not the killer cartoons and the bloody Mary movies. I hate action movies with killing in it-I'm a little too squeamish for that... Things that are destroying our kid’s mind-75% of the time come from television... Yes Government could help with this one... A lot of our kid’s innocents have been replaced with violence- many of our kids imitate what they see on television. The only way a dispute is settled these days comes with a gun and bullets. When we fought back in the day it was you either whoop my A** or I’m whooping your A** no weapons were used, and most of the time after a good fight we would be playing together the next minute not attending a funeral... We need that kind of structure for our kids today…”Much Love In Essence”