Literature Review

"Just Turn off the TV": The Lazy American's Solution to One of Our Nation's Biggest Problems

This article describes how the simple response to television's negative content to just turn off the television is a "lazy solution." The author describes how she understands the "significance of looking away" since television can't please everyone; however, the article further describes that "nearly every broadcast station sells out for the sake of sensationalism, exploiting willing American's in anyway possible and there is no where else to turn." This article delves deeper into the bigger issue, which is more than just being able to "turn off a switch."

"TURN OFF THE MEDIA VIOLENCE"
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Levy5.html

This article gives suggestions for how to prevent being exposed to media violence; however, one of its suggestions are to "turn off violent TV programs." It explains how parents need to learn how to say no to their children and monitor what they can and cannot watch. Although this is a good idea because parents should monitor what their children watch, this is not a solution. Maybe these children won't be exposed to violent TV programs in their own homes, but what about once they go to school or what about the violent things that are happening in real life that they cannot escape? There is more to it than the parents not allowing their children to watch certain shows because they will still be exposed to it one way or another in our culture. There needs to be some sort of cooperation from the actual media corporations as well. And also, aside from television violence, body image is also a major issue. It is almost impossible to escape the constant images of skinny women and beautiful bodies. Even if not seen on television, it is all around us in advertisements, at the mall, and the many girls around us that are dieting and going on crash diets so that they too can be as thin as the actresses and models in the media.

Ethics in Entertainment Television

"If you don't like what's on TV, just turn it off." The article explains how this simple solution has been offered as if it were as simple a solution as saying "if you're bothered by air pollution, just stop breathing." Those who support the idea to simply use the on/off switch if you don't like something ignore the idea that entertainment is a large influencer of the culture we live in, regardless of those who choose not to watch it. The author takes it a step further asking for those in the entertainment industry to refuse to write, direct, produce, or participate in any way in the shaping of entertainment that encourages violence, cruelty, and indecent behavior; however, I do not feel that this either is a solution. It is hard to believe that these workers of the entertainment industry will turn away work and money even if the content is not positive. And for those that do choose not to participate, they will just be replaced by someone who will.

This article also explains the viewpoint of the television industry. For so long they have "resisted the notion that its programming offers tacit lessons about what is valued in our culture and how to behave in it." Today's supporters of offensive programming argue that TV simply reflects cultural norms. I must disagree with this notion because it is clear that the media in so many ways influences our perception, therefore having part in shaping our behavior. The media does in fact have an impact on our society's culture and not vice versa as the television industry suggests. The article also explains how it is getting harder for those in the entertainment industry to deny that there is a connection between what they produce and "a dangerous coarsening of our society." There have been too many confirming research studies that have proven otherwise.

"Television's Influence on the Family"

This article explains how "television has become one of the most influential socializing agents of our times. Its pictures and messages shape the way we see--and react to--our world." But, this article does not suggest "turning off the TV," since there seems to be no escaping it. This article suggests that the best approach is for parents to talk to their children about what they are watching and explain to them what is real, what is acceptable, and what is not.