Television is a major popular culture item; which many Americans tend to focus a lot of attention on. Although some shows along with movies portrays violence and unhealthy material for the younger viewers. The popular culture topic that will be discussed is people’s concern on violence shown on television. The theories that will also be touched on are as followed: Popular Beliefs, Myths, and Icons. The material will be put to good use as dissections will be made and knowledge will be brought to attention. Television ratings have gone up in the recent years as has violence and other concerning factors for young viewers.

            According to Lily Rothman’s article “FYI, Parents: Your Kids Watch A Full-Time Job’s Worth of TV Each Week”; children nine and younger spend about 36 hours a week watching TV. With that being said they could be watching SpongeBob or Rugrats; but if that is not the case the likelihood they are watching something violent is very high. Caroline Schulenburg wrote a book “DYING TO ENTERTAIN: Violence on Prime Time Broadcast TV” which gives clear examples of the increase in violent shows airing on TV. Her studies have shown that in every time slot violent showings have increased; from 1998 to 2006 there is at least a 45% increase in every time slot (Schulenburg, pg 8).

            According to the articles referenced about and the weekly readings this topic would include all of the theories. Popular belief is just what it sounds like what is the public’s eye on certain topics. Myths are something supernatural, secular, and a mix of both (Browne, pg 13). Icons are things that people idolize; or anything that is unique to that person (Browne, pg 54). This is where it is going to come down to a personal view; everyone can look at the theories and agree or disagree to it having an effect on the topic.

            As far as I look at these theories along with the topic I chose I would say popular belief is a basis on people’s concern for violence on TV is; due to people believe TV is a babysitter for their children. Many of those parents do not know what their child is watching, or they may not care. TV is a popular item in Americans lives which is why so many people are consumed by watching shows. George Gerbner writes a great article “Society’s Storyteller: How TV creates the Myths by Which We Live”. These shows are stories about how things work, what things are, and how they act. So if people are consumed by such shows them being to believe that are what they are supposed to do; creating a mythical character based off a show. Lastly, icons those who children look up to; if children see those icons doing something on shows they think it is normal. No matter what it is; even if they are icons to those children yet. Children view people on TV as their heroes; and what those actors and actress do the children can do as well. After doing these reading and my own research I have gain a new respect for these theories; along with how I view TV. When I watch shows I never really thought about how much I do what they do creating that mythical creation. Growing up I looked up to a lot of my idols; many of which are in jail, rehab, or doing shows I would never watch; just makes me think about how some children follow in their footsteps. They find it normal because those heroes did it.

            Children spend too much time watching TV and many shows now are violent. Some parents are unaware of what their children are watching or may not see the violence in such shows. Theories can be a complex approach when looking at how they affect a certain topic. Popular belief, myths, and icons are things parents should look at before letting their children watch just any shows. Violent TV shows have grown just as rapidly as TV in the American society.

 

References

Browne, R. (2005). Myths & Icons. In Profiles of Popular Culture (p. 13&54). Madison, WI: The University of Wisconsin Press.

Gerbner, G. (1993). The Culture Influences of Television. In Society's Storyteller: How TV creates the Myths by Which We Live (pp. 117-121).

Rothman, L. (2013, November 20). FYI, Parents: Your Kids Watch A Full-Time Job’s Worth of TV Each Week. Television. Retrieved February 23, 2015, from http://entertainment.time.com/2013/11/20/fyi-parents-your-kids-watch-a-full-time-jobs-worth-of-tv-each-week/

Schulenburg, C. (2007). Examples. In 2 DYING TO ENTERTAIN: Violence on Prime Time Broadcast TV: 1998 to 2006 (p. 8). Los Angeles, CA: PTC’S HOLLYWOOD HEADQUARTERS.