Medai Violence

Sean Sharkey

D. Pohl

Eng. Comp 1B - Controversial Topic Essay

November 17, 2005

Media Violence

How does media violence lead today's youth? With many new movies and video games interacting with children it would seem impossible to tear a child away from his normal life habits. Even before children are able to read, can they tell the difference between fantasy and reality? With numerous studies would link to the answer yes, but does media violence really have arguable situation? Just because studies have all pointed to yes, other people do not believe the reason to the youth's violence. Whether or not viewing media violence causes a rise in aggression and violence in the youth today is the question that the media effects research.

First off we need to know how these different rating systems work and the different types of rating systems are out there. The media uses three different types rating for each of the major types of media: Music, Movies/TV, and Video Games. Music rating system is based on the content of the language. The more aggressive language just gets a simple "Parental Advisory" stamped on the front side of the case. There will be no markings or labels on the front cover of a case if the music does not contain any forms of explicit language.

Movie rating are a little more complicated, here they are as follows: "G" for General Audiences, all ages admitted; "PG" Parental Guidance Suggested, some material may not be suitable for children; "PG-13" Parents Strongly Cautioned, some material may be inappropriate for children under 13; "R" Restricted, under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian; "NC -17" No One 17 And Under Admitted.

Video game rating uses the most rating symbols, for what I believe are because of the more controversial the games are. The rating system that Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) came up with is as follows: "EC" Early Childhood, have content that may be suitable for ages three and older. Contains no material that parents would find inappropriate; "E" Everyone, have content that may be suitable for ages six and older. Contains minimal cartoons, fantasy or mild violence and/or infrequent use of mild language; "E 10+" Everyone 10+, have content that may be suitable for ages ten and older. Contains more cartoon, fantasy or mild violence, mild language, and/or minimal suggestive themes; "T" Teen, have content that may be suitable for ages 13 and older. Contains violence, suggestive themes crude humor, minimal blood and/or infrequent use of strong language; "M" Mature, have content that may be suitable for persons ages 17 and older. Contains intense violence, blood and gore, sexual content, and/or strong language; "AO" Adults Only, have content that should only be played by persons 18 years and older. Category may include prolonged scenes of intense violence and/or graphic sexual content and nudity; "RP" Rating Pending, have been submitted to the ESRB and are awaiting final rating. This symbol appears only in advertising prior to a game's release.

From all of the research that I did, numerous studies say that media violence does have a problem with the youth today. Most of the studies I found were about TV.

Today popular video games, movies and even songs are top concerns with the violent suggestions that each might posses. With TV sets in 99 percent of U.S. homes, and the average American spending 28 hours a week watching, TV is "the singular social and political force in America (Lutterbeck). Scientists who monitor TV research say one message is clearly being broadcast - media violence can foster aggression in youngsters (Patterson). The average person can watch anywhere from two to three hours of TV in one day, being plenty of time to see acts of violence to influence them on how to act.

Well, how are violent movies, games, and songs reaching the youth? We do have a system that restricts certain ages from such violence. But sometimes the human body may seem older than the body really looks. I remember at the age 16, movie ticket sellers would not ask for my ID, for what I believe because of my structure. Standing approximately six foot and two inches and weighing 225 pounds, I looked like I was old enough. But looks can be deceiving.

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