Outline
Topic: Media regulations
Thesis statement: Various films and
television shows of today demeans morality among the youth; therefore, there
should be better policies to regulate these entertainment shows.
I.
Introduction
A.
Situation
B.
Thesis statement
II. Body
A. Problem
1.
Examples of films and television shows that demean morality among youth.
2.
Reasons for films’ promotion of immorality and perversion
3.
Effects of these films and television shows on the youth’s morality
B.
Solution
1.
Better policies in media regulatory boards
2.
Parental guidance
3.
Alternative entertainment
III.
Conclusion
A.
Thesis statement/ summary
B.
Benefits of the prohibition of immoral films and television shows
Revamping
the Youth’s Vision Through Television
Typical lines from the teen series
Skins UK vary from “I’m Katie f-cking Fitch, who the f-ck are you?” (Elsely
& Brittain, 2010) to “Ow! I'll kill you, you f-cking flat-chested
c-cksucking spastic horse-f-cker!” (Elsely & Brittain, 2007). Profanity is
archetypal when it comes to the dialogues of the characters in these television
series, Skins UK and other television shows, especially those who cater to the
youth and adolescents. The youth and adolescents, ages ten to twenty-four, are
exposed to television shows and films that celebrate profanity, perversion, and
immorality. The trend of these personas in films and television shows that
cater to the youth have become a norm in the twenty-first century and
subsequently. Moreover, the trend of perversion in media has been popularized
in the Midwestern, thus more fervently adapted by the rest of the world. It has
become a form of entertainment that compromises the morality and character of
its viewers, especially among the vulnerable youth. Since perversion and
profanity are imminent in the entertainment industry, various films and
television shows of today demeans morality among the youth; therefore, there
should be better policies to regulate these entertainment shows.
Not all television shows that cater to
the youth have themes of perversion, profanity, and immorality. Even so, the
number of television shows that present themes not suitable for the youth are
comparable to those who do not. Some examples of these television shows catered
to the youth that manifest immorality are Skins, Gossip Girl, 90210, Awkward,
and several reality television shows like Jersey Shore, Teen Mom, and 16 and
Pregnant. For films, Project X, Super Bad, Sex Drive, and Easy A can be listed
as examples. These television shows and films contain scenes and themes not
suitable for the youth yet, they target them as their audience.
Due to the liberated views of the
Midwestern, many aspects are affected like clothing, language, music, and
naturally, television shows and films. Many of the television shows and films
of today are inspired by the liberated culture, even those targeted for the
youth due to the prominence of Hollywood in the entertainment industry. Due to
the manifestation of this culture in many aspects of life, the entertainment
industry is also compelled to adapt themes of perversion and profanity to media
and its counterparts, namely films and television. Shaver (2007) said, “the issue
with immodesty is all over the world and considered "culturally acceptable."
The sex-sells theory is at large part to
blame for this problem.
Media nowadays, specifically
prime-time television, uses immodesty for comedic entertainment and to help
boost its viewer numbers” (Shaver, 2007, p2) Evidently, media incorporates
perversion and profanity in films and television shows because sex apparently
does sell— even with the youth.
Due
to the exposure of the youth to films and television shows that manifest
immorality, the youth’s sense of ethics is affected negatively. Since the characters
seen in television shows and films seem ideal, the youth commonly imitate the
personas portrayed.
“In fact, having real teenagers look up to these faux guys
and girls is dangerous for the real-life adolescents in our
community. At a time in life when we’re trying to figure out who we are, it is disturbing to see people
mimicking the often illicit and morally corrupt behavior advertised on these television shows” (Iribarren,
2010,)
According to The Washington Times (2005), “It’s
well-known that the mass media influence teen attitudes and behaviors on issues
such as violence, eating disorders, tobacco and alcohol use. (p. 1)” This
connotes how influential the media is to today’s youth. The reason why the youth easily adapt the things that they see on
television is because “adolescents
accept, learn from and may emulate behaviors portrayed in media as normative,
attractive and without risk.” (The News, 2005, p.1) A concrete example of how
the perverted themes among television and films negatively affect the youth is
through the number of teens who engage in sexual intercourse due to their
exposure to these kinds of media. “A new study shows that 12- to 14-year-olds exposed to the most sexual
content in movies, music, magazines, and on television were 2.2 times more
likely to have had sexual intercourse” (Warner, 2006, p.1) Truly, the
disclosure between the youth and the corruption of media demeans their
morality.
To
remedy the impending predicament of the manifestation of immorality in media
and its effects on the youth, media regulatory boards must have better policies
in regulating films and television shows that target the youth. A number of
films and television shows are inappropriate, even those distinguished as youth
entertainment, thus, the purpose and work of media regulatory boards are rather
questionable. Media regulatory boards, regardless of its country must
articulately scrutinize a television show or film before they permit it to air
for the world to see. Cinemas that
show films with age requirements must be more particular with the maturity of
its customers, as far as requiring identification cards if necessary. In the Philippines, local television networks
indicate the corresponding ratings of each television show before it starts but,
are these Parental Guidance warnings simply enough?
Parental Guidance need not only
correspond to a precaution because for it to be an action is more ideal.
Parents need to take action in the choices of the films and television shows
that their children see. “As much as parents might
hate it, they've got to be vigilant against the onslaught of readily available
mature content on television.” (Abelman, 2008, p.1) For parents to
encourage better television choices, parents must know what their children are
watching. Parents should challenge their kids by voicing out their opinions in
the content of what their children are watching or what they have been meaning
to see for it may encourage the youth to voice out when he or she is watching
dubious television shows or films. (Kaboose, n.d.) Lastly, parents can limit
the time allotment of their children toward television shows and films to pave
way for alternative entertainment.
To
limit or regulate the youth’s exposure to the immorality prevalent in films and
television shows, alternative entertainment must be introduced. Alternative
entertainment may pertain to simply encouraging them to join activities that
will help them socialize and utilize their minds and physical body. Examples of
these activities are sports, reading, arts and crafts, and the like. These will
not only lure them away from the negative effects of television and film but it
can also improve the youth’s mind and body.
Without a
doubt, it is arguable that today’s media setting is corrupted with immorality--
the vulnerable youth being an easy target. To mend the situation, the media and
its counterparts must take responsibility and promote sensible films and
television shows without sacrificing entertainment. If the ethics of the films
and television shows produced nowadays be scrutinized and mended, then, the
youth’s sense of morality will not be impaired by what is depicted in the
media. To dissent the sexual norms prevalent in today’s society and in the
media is to dissent the thoughts of the youth toward promiscuity and its
prevalence. The government must help the media boards in regulating the content
of the films and television shows to aid the exposure of the youth toward
inappropriateness. Parents must also be involved in what their children are
seeing. Therefore, the youth is given a chance to reassess their values away
from the distorted views of films and television shows that uphold profanity,
perversion, and immorality. With the improvement of the entertainment industry,
the youth will be able to draw positive inspiration form what they watch and
hopefully apply it for the betterment of their lives.
References:
Iribarren, C. (2010, April 26). Gossip girl? 90210? bad tv
takes its toll on teens. The News.
Retrieved from http://thenews.choate.edu/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=215: gossip-girl-90210-bad-tv-takes-its-toll-on-teens&catid=3:opinion&Itemid=2
Reduce your
teen’s exposure to media violence and encourage better tv choices with these television tips.
Kaboose. Retrieved from http://parenting.kaboose.com/age -and-stage/teens-conversations-television-watching.html
Shaver, C. (2007, November 6). The impact of sex-sells in
the media and advertising. Retrieved
from http://voices.yahoo.com/the-impact-sex-sells-media-advertising -639404.html?cat=7
The Washington Times. (2005, July 05). Media’s effect on
teen sex not known. The Washington
Times. Retrieved from http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2005/jul/05/20050705-110513- 3596r/?page=all
Warner, J. (2006, April 3). Media may prompt teen sex. Cbs
news. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-500368_162-1464262.html
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