Examples Post

There are many who complain about the content that is being shown on television and there are also many who respond to this by saying, "If you don't like what's on TV, then don't watch it." This is mainly the response that is given by the television industry itself; however, this is not a feasible solution and there are many examples that demonstrate why simply not watching something or turning off the television is not the answer to not being affected by its material and messages.

For example, there are many who complain about television's violence and its influence on our society, especially on children. The response from the industry is for parents to not allow their children to watch inappropriate material and to turn off the television if they don’t like what they are watching. Some argue that it is the parent’s responsibility to raise their children and not the entertainment industry. Although parents can choose to not allow their children to watch certain shows on television or can choose to just get rid of television altogether, this will not prevent the children from being exposed to television's negative aspects. At home, a child may be prevented from watching certain things; however, once they get to school, there are many children who are not stopped by their parents from watching inappropriate shows. Their peers will still influence the child, even more so than they would be by watching television; and the method of turning off the television is not a solution because television does not just affect those who watch it, but it affects society as a whole. And although families and parents do have a strong influence on shaping their children's values and beliefs, their peers have a huge impact on influencing behavior and this is something that cannot be controlled by a parent's decision to not let their children watch TV.

There are also some studies which suggest that the many violent acts that have taken place at schools across the country can be associated with violent television programming and video games. For example, the Columbine tragedy was linked to The Matrix, due to the killers’ trench coats and behavior with the guns. This shows that even with the possibility of a majority of students not being exposed to violent content on television, they can still be affected in many negative ways. Although there are those who choose to protect themselves from the negative behaviors that television teaches our society by “turning it off,” it seems that they cannot escape it and turning off the television is far from a solution.

The media, especially television, is also criticized for its bombardment of perfect body image and its distorted definition of beauty. But again, choosing not to watch TV or "turning off the switch" is not the answer. For example, one might choose to watch Oprah, which usually has positive material. There is one episode that shows how her and her staff are helping children in Africa, which can be a positive influence on society by encouraging others to help those in need; however, there are then commercials during the show, such as weight loss commercials, those for plastic surgery, and Clean and Clear commercials suggesting that one must have clear skin and the perfect body to be beautiful. So again, turning off the television is not a solution. Even billboards, advertisements, magazine covers, and even the ways that many around us act are influenced by the entertainment industry, but these aspects are hard to escape since they are all around us. These aspects that are influenced by the entertainment industry cannot be escaped by simply choosing not to watch certain shows on television.

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.

Position

There have been many debates about television corrupting society as well as there being proposed solutions to how to solve this problem. Some feel that television has no effect on society, while others feel that television and the media play a significant role in shaping society; however, it is getting much more difficult for those who do feel that television has no influence to continue to support this belief. Not just television, but many forms of entertainment are clearly shaping the many trends in society, such as fashion trends, what is considered beautiful, as well as poor behavior in both children and adults. Because it is becoming clear that negative material on television plays a role in society, especially for young children, big time networks and corporations have tried to come up with a simple solution. Most of the time, this solution is to simply turn off your television, their motto being, "If you don't like what you see, then don't watch it." And as for the children being affected and influenced, many say that it is the parent's responsibility to filter what their kids are watching. I must disagree on this issue because although turning off the television can prevent certain people from seeing certain television shows or commercials that they would rather not see, it does not keep them from the negative trends that the entertainment industry is bombarding on our society. Yes, a person can choose not to watch television, but it is much harder to choose not to be apart of society, which still exposes a person to the ideas that television is responsible for creating. And as for the children, parents can choose to keep their children from watching any sort of television; however, they cannot keep them from interacting with the many children at school who do watch television with negative material. So no, simply turing off the television is not a simple solution, but far from it.

Comment on "Ethics in Entertainment Television"

This article written by Mary Ann Watson discusses how the term, "If you don't like what's on TV, just turn it off," is a "useless remedy." I completely agree with this view. Like you explain, it is as useful as saying, "If you're bothered by air pollution, just stop breathing;" it doesn't seem possible nor practical. It is as if these huge corporations do not even bother to come up with practical solutions, or they just don't take the time to care one way or the other. One of the solutions that she offers is sticking together as a community meaning that writers, actors, producers, directors, and all other participants will refuse to work in any type of entertainment that "celebrates senseless brutality, aimless cruelty, pointless, and violent death." She feels that together, we can make a difference; however, I must question how many people in the entertainment industry would be willing to give up certain jobs and opportunities because they are not socially pleasurable or beneficial. I have the feeling that many of these participants, not all, but many, are similar to the large companies in that they are only interested in making money and would not pass up opportunites that could make them a generous portion of profits. Although Watson points out that there are some who would make the sacrifice if it could possible benefit our society. For example, "there were more than 300 television professionals who signed a 'pledge of consience' which recognizes that state and motion pictures television are undeniably significant influences on American society." Three hundred is a very small handful in the many particiapants within the entertainment industry, but it is pleasing to know that there are some in the industry who are recognizing that the entertianment industry does have a huge impact on all of us and that they are trying to make a difference to make these imacts positive as opposed to negative.

Wikipedia Edit

Below are some edits that I made to the Wikipedia page about fashion modeling. I thought that it needed to be explained that models are almost always attractive and have tall, thin frames. Also, I made some additions to the section, "Criticism of Fashion Models." The edits that I made are in bold italics and the entire page can be seen at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_%28person%29

Fashion models
Fashion models are used mainly to promote apparel, accessories, and cosmetics. There are two types of fashion models: high fashion and commercial.[1] High fashion modeling is an art form of fashion. The photographer photographs the model in artistic themes that relate to the clothing promoted. The model uses their face and body to express different emotions required and the models are almost always attractive. High fashion is typical for work on campaigns, collections and magazine editorials for high fashion designers. These models are featured in high fashion magazines such as Vogue, W,Vanity Fair and ELLE. Clothing designers traditionally show their new collections in an annual fashion show, for buyers, the fashion industry, and the general public. Fashion models walk the runway, and pose to display clothing. High fashion models have strong, unique and distinctive features. "Runway modeling," also known as catwalk modeling," is displaying fashion, and is generally performed by "high fashion models." These high fashion models tend to be very tall with thin frames.

[edit] Criticism of fashion models

Although the world of fashion models seems to be very glamorous, many feel that this industry plays a significant role in distorting society's perception of beauty. For example, as described above, the AMA has height and dimension guidelines. Women all around the country see these thin models in the latest fashions and they want to look the same. Unfortunately, these body images that society sees in fashion modeling is unattainable for many women. The unusually thin shape of fashion models has been criticized for allegedly warping girls' body image and encouraging eating disorders.[7] Organizers of a fashion show in Madrid in September 2006 turned away models who were judged to be underweight by medics who were on hand.[8] In February 2007, six months after her model sister died, Brazilian model Eliana Ramos became the sixth international model to die of malnutrition.[9] Ramos died of heart failure caused by anorexia. Her 22-year-old sister Luisel died after her weight fell to 40kg. Not only are very thin models influencing eating disorders and creating malnutrition and death for some girls, many feel that it is also creating low self-esteem for many young girls. Many people who agree with this view encourage more exposure to plus size models.

If You Don't Like it, Turn it Off

"If you don't like what you see on television, then turn it off." This is a phrase commonly heard by numerous television and entertainment networks; although it seems as if it is a simple solution, I can't help but to disagree. Yes, people do have a choice as to what they watch and how much television they watch, but television is also responsible for influencing many aspects of society, which are not so easy to escape. Many also say it is the parents responsibility. I do think that parents play a vital role in shaping the attitudes and actions of their children; however, this is not a simple solution either.

Television and movies seem to influence everything around us, which is why simply, "turning it off," is not a simple answer. For example, advertisements, billboards, magazine covers, and even the ways that some people act are all influenced and shaped by the entertainment industry; however, these aspects are not so hard to escape because they are all around us. Even though people have a choice as to which shows they watch, they do not have a choice in the commercials that they are exposed to or the ways in which society as a whole is influenced. For example, one might choose to watch an episode of Oprah in which she is showing how her and her staff are helping children in Africa, which is a positive influence; however, they then might be exposed to a commercial about weight loss or a Clean and Clear commercial suggesting that one must have clear skin to be beautiful. So no, turning off the T.V will not solve many of the problems that it is creating.

There are also those critics who argue that it is solely the parents' responsibility to raise their children appropriately and it is not up to the entertainment industry to raise them. The parents do have a huge responsibility to raise their children to know right from wrong and to help them have high self-esteem, but this is also not a simple answer. Families do have a huge impact on their children's ideals and values; however, so does the child's peers. Once parents send their children off to school and to hang out with friends, the parents no longer have much control as to what their children are being exposed to. Young people are highly influenced by their peers, who are usually highly influenced by not only their parents, but also by what they see on television, hear at school, and see everyday in advertisements and in the media. So although parents do play a highly significant role, there are many other factors that have influence over our society's children.

So since these are not idealistic solutions, what are proper the solutions? This questions is not so easy to answer; however, I do have some ideas for good starting points. Television networks do not need to completely change their content or goals because ultimately, their goal is for entertainment, which many of us rely on, on a day to day basis. It allows many people to relieve stress and unwind after a long days work; however, the entertainment industry does need to realize that what they show and the things they promote do have a huge impact on issues taking place in our society. Showing more diversity and hiring more actors and actresses with more average body types and appearances is a start. Also, if television networks and writers would cut back on reinforcing negative stereotypes, this could also have positive effects on society. I must also point out that it is not only the responsibility of the entertainment industry, but of all of us. As individuals in society, we must not allow the entertainment industry to drive our trends and influence our lives. After all, the entertainment industry's main goal is to make money so they show us things which that feel we want to see and things which our society finds sexy and beautiful. If our society could change its perception of beauty, then the entertainment industry would be forced to change its content to match our ideals.

My ultimate goal would be for society to have control of the entertainment industry, instead of the entertainment industry having control over our trends and culture. I know that this is much easier said than done, but society must start realizing that television and movies are only entertainment. Those who advocate simply, "turning it off" or those who always blame the parents need to look deeper into the issue and understand the many other factors that come into play.