Value promoted by tv... my reaction essay

The article entitled Values Promoted by TV, written by Harry J. Skornia basically talks about the negative values promoted by TV to society. It talks about how television promotes materialism and violence. The only value of television, according to the article is only appreciated by those big businessmen, manufacturers and showmen who control it. It mentions that as broadcasting does not discriminate between opinions, people become indiscriminating. It is also explained in the article the effects of television to the social graces (especially of women) of people. Motion pictures usually show that fallen women are more acceptable than virtuous ones. The increase of the rate of alcoholism and premarital sex is caused by these motion pictures. The author pointed out that television exalts celebrities, treating them as society’s most valued members. They are more imitated than scientists, artists, journalists, teachers or doctors. The public know which product is best by noting what these stars use. In my opinion, viewer discretion and parental guidance should be strictly applied in watching television because not everybody (especially children) can differentiate television from reality.
Watching television is one of the most popular pastimes all over the world. In every community, at least ¾ of the population love to watch movies. Its purpose is simply for entertainment but sometimes, the public misinterpret what they see on TVs. Although everyone watches TV, its effects are mostly seen in children. At a certain age, children tend to follow everything they see or hear, it is a part of the learning process that’s why viewer discretion and parental guidance is important in watching TV. According to guidelines, children under 2 should have no “screen time” at all. Children have very photographic minds. Meaning, whatever they see, (real or on television) they remember. Television is as close to reality as it is. Children can learn a lot from television. Through television, kids can have an idea of what is happening around them without having to see it firsthand. But still, it can have the same effect as seeing the real thing. Despite these advantages, too much television can be detrimental. Kids who view violent events, such as kidnapping or murder are most likely to believe that the world is a scary place. The images and values that children absorb can also leave them traumatized and vulnerable.
Like violence for example, it is quoted in the article that lest the problem of violence or weapons be oversimplified, however, it should be made clear that the position taken here is not simply that violence is always bad. It gets confusing when we see in movies that it is not bad to use guns and violence as long as you are one of the “good guys” but the line that separates the “good” and the “bad” is grey. It is cited in the article that 35 percent of films show that the hero/heroine is motivated by revenge. Basically, it shows that “revenge” as motivation simply makes you a “good guy”. According to AAP, many violent acts are perpetrated by the “good guys” whom children have been taught to emulate. Even though children are taught by their parents that it’s not right to hit, television says that it’s OKAY to hit, bite or kick if you’re the good guy. And even “bad guys” on TV aren’t always held responsible or punished for their action. How can children possibly differentiate right from wrong in these situations?
Another misconception you see in movies as pointed out in the text is if a woman wishes to be interesting, she must have a past. To have fallen at least once qualifies her. Dressing scenes showing various degrees of nudity appeared in 23% and undressing scenes in 30% of the films. Movies like these should not be open to young people especially teenagers because they are at a critical stage when they are still learning about the “realities of life”- sex, drugs, violence etc. When you see romance and love in movies, it is most often associated with sex. Because of that, teenagers nowadays think that sex is showing that you love someone, hence, the increasing problems on early pregnancy and sometimes, abortion.
If these misconceptions are not corrected, young people will most likely grow up and become problems to the society. But since we can’t stop the movie industry from producing movies that show violence for example, the best thing to do is to choose what we allow our children to watch until they understand that what they see in movies is but half of the real picture.