MHS students address violence, family life connection
By MICHAEL YATES
MHS student reporter
The concept that "violent" or "inappropriate" forms of entertainment may be bad for teenagers is hardly a new idea, yet the theory continues to gain support from concerned parents, teachers, and students. However, many students at Marion High School don't blame their music, movies, or video games for the problems with today's teens, but rather blame poor parenting, a lack of adult supervision, and a general feeling of having no one to talk to about their problems.
Countless studies have found correlation between kids who act out violently in real life and who prefer violent forms of entertainment, leading many adults to assume a direct relationship between the two. This type of entertainment may be found in the form of explicit lyrics in today's music, violent or pointless sexual scenes in movies, or brutal and gory video games.
However, as any researcher will tell you, a correlation is not the cause, but only a link or relationship. Such a link only suggests that violent kids enjoy violent forms of entertainment.
While numerous legislators and self-appointed watchdog groups have called for the control of violent content in all forms of entertainment, these people often have to settle for little more than labeling such subject matter, due to the First Amendment.
The question, nevertheless, is not the amount of violence in today's world, but rather how it affects today's teenagers.
When 20 MHS students were asked if they thought violence in today's entertainment affected teenagers, 17 said yes.
"Everything affects teenagers, so yeah," said Jacob Taylor, junior. When asked what, if anything, could be done about the situation, Taylor went on to add, "No. I think most of the violence caused by teenagers today is from a lack of being raised by their parents. Families will just sit in front of the TV. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that, but it has taken the place of communicating with the family."
While some agree that violence in today's society does affect teens, some doubt anything can be done about the circumstances.
"I don't think that anything can be done, really, because the parents seem to know about it, but don't do anything," said Tyson Heidebrecht, sophomore.
One possible solution may be "Parents talking to their children and telling them what's right and wrong," said Farai Mukwindidza, junior. When asked why violence seems so popular, Mukwindidza said, "Because they see it and they think it's cool. It's kind of a fitting-in thing."
As always, no idea is popular with everyone. Some disagree, saying violent entertainment does not affect anyone in any particular way. "TVs never really affected anyone, I think. Neither have video games. But the media has," said Patrick Becker, sophomore. "With the news and recent events, people are much more violent toward other countries," Becker added. When asked what we can do to help prevent this type of violence in individuals, Becker responded, "I don't think anything can be done. The government can't control that person. All we can do is hope to God the best turns out."
In truth, society functions in large because we suppress aggression, and these forms of entertainment provide an outlet for release. Perhaps violent entertainment is a healthy alternative to acting out violently. Choosing a violent form of entertainment may eliminate fantasies through music, movies, or video games, reducing the amount of real-world violence.
