It is hard to ignore the impact of youth violence in the community, many resulted in serious grievance or even senseless deaths. Statistically there is considerable multiply in youth violence across Australia over the past decade. Even though there has been a more proactive communal and institutional response to the crisis, offences involving violence as a proportion of total juvenile offences are rising.
Adolescents and typically young men were suffering from the pressure of interacting in a social environment in which strongly endorses the use of violence as part of being masculine. Concerns over the role of mass media in our culture is clearly on the mark, apart from the role of binge drinking and the role of alcohol. The problem lies on an underlying cultural endorsement of the use of violence to resolve conflict, to settle differences, as well as to inform others other importance of the tough guy role. Such endorsement was deeply rooted in our daily routines and thus to move forward, it is fundamental to empathize the frequent depiction of violence in the mass media and the impact theses portrayals are capable of among the youth.
Dr. Olson suggests that heavy players of violent games are more likely to view aggression as a first-choice solution to problems instead of a last resort. Given that the children’s stage of cognitive development is extremely important as it is correlated with their life-long achievement, violent game play is believed to have disproportionately effect on children. Research showed that young frequent violent game players see violence as easily justified, and also showed less empathy for others in. That is, disclosure to such entertainment creates an illusion of seeing violence as more acceptable and promotes vicious thoughts and actions to frequent players.
According to Anderson’s meta-analysis of the effects of playing violent video games, findings showed that violent game exposure leads to major societal harm. However, what must be considered are the effects of moderating variables such as the context of violence in a particular game, or result of other factors such as lack of parental guardianship. It is therefore essential to amalgamate study findings for a more vigorous result with a diverse range of age and gender that were exposed to different types and amounts of game violence in a variety of environments.
Conversely, Griffiths (1997) noted that even though there is indication for a minor to average short-term boost in bodily and orally aggressive behavior, media violence has a relatively small influence on violence and hence the impact of video games on vicious behavior remains to be determined. Furthermore, indications were observed from many past researches that there is limited evidence to show any relationships between media violence and aggressive behaviour in youths.
“The state of present knowledge does not permit an agreed answer.”
Consequently, it is extremely difficult to document whether and how the mass media contribute to serious youth violence. Existing literatures often in support with the theory that exposure to violence in any forms of media represents a significant risk to the heath of children and adolescents. Although extensive research evidence indicates that media violence can contribute to aggressive behaviour however, little can be proved that the mass media is the only single factor in such controversial issue.
To move forward, it is crucial to examine the nature and complexity of the issue. The effectiveness of programs and initiatives designed to prevent youth violence should be assessed extensively and modify amendments where appropriate. There are no quick and easy solutions but the need for a collective responsibility and action from all parties in order to prevent and control violence in the youth. Efforts are required from the community, businesses and organisations, but most importantly young people should comprehend the issue and set out action to tackle it.
Great post Zoey!
ReplyDeleteThe issue of youth violence has so many facets and everybody seems to have a theory on how it comes about. The media is quick to condemn youth violence, but it's interesting that a lot of youth violence is also accounted to the media, in the forms of movies and video games. As you have pointed out, they are seen as a key variable in the creation of youth violence. While the shows like Current Affair are in a frenzy over the state of youth who are so affected by violent movies, channel 9 still does not hesitate to show a violent movie afterwards.
I absolutely agree that there are no quick solutions to youth violence.Judging from current studies, they need to be all encompassing, not only in the programs themselves, but also change as a society. Australia has a big drinking culture so there is high levels of alcohol fueled violence and the violent movies and video games are quite prominent. They are trends we face as a culture, not an individual.
On one hand, the media is thought to be the primary underlying cause of youth violence. One the other hand, some experts see media as an effective platform for education.
ReplyDeleteAs you have pointed out that youth violence is a complex issue. That is, there is not single factor that contributed to youth violence. There is ample evidence suggesting that, parental behavior, early childhood experience, individual traits and motivation etc are relative to aggressiveness. Media is only the most apparent cause.
Aggressive behavior can be either intrinsic or extrinsic i.e. predisposition or learning respectively.
Yet, there is no easy solution. (1)Parent as a role model, (2) peer encouragement, (3)educational program etc. All these could be a solution. But its effectiveness lies on the interdependency between these factors.