I want to give you a insight to the topic of violence...
[Sources from different papers, books and school stuff]
Theories
-One theory says that violence is an instinct, which we all have, because it’s
necessary for survival. It’s always with us and therefore we have to find harmless
ways of acting out this strong emotional overcome. Sports competitions help to
get rid of it.
-Secondly violence is something that we learn from other people or from the
media. This learning process can be stopped.
-Violence is the result of frustration. When people don’t get what they want, they
become frustrated and this strong emotional overcome might lead to aggressive
behaviour.
-All people want to let off steam. In general, this is a normal and natural reaction,
such as slamming the door. However there are people who do this in a cruel and
brutal way.
Screen-Violence
On the one hand horror movies, action films and thrillers offer aggressive
entertainment. Lots of people believe that these movies cause more violence on
the street, in urban and rural areas, in schools and at work. Experts are of the
opinion that the audience identifies with the aggressor and with his cruel acts, such
as murder, robbery or rape. So they suppose that the viewer of these movies
might imitate the brutal acts. Some specialists believe that especially children and
teenagers might be influenced in a bad way.
Statistics prove that non-violent films are more popular, although Hollywood
claims that these movies are merely produced, because the vast majority of our
society wants to watch them. Moreover opponents of screen violence complain
that these movies cause “cultural pollution” and that there is no escape from it.
On the other hand fans of horror films claim that screen violence is just good fun
and that it merely offers innocent pleasure. The supporters of these movies are of
the opinion that freedom is limited in ordinary life. They are convinced that violent
scenes are liberating and that they help the viewer to let off steam in a non-
violent way. Furthermore they are sure that just crazy people imitate the acts that
are shown on TV and that there is nothing that can be done against them anyway.
Also Hollywood regards these films as harmless entertainment. In film-makers
opinion there are absolutely no effects of the brutal scenes.
What can be done against this “cultural pollution”? Horror movies should be
censored or forbidden. However, some experts believe that censorship isn’t
effective enough. Therefore they want the audience to be more critical. Above all,
film-producers should be made responsible for the pollution they have caused?
Schools and Violence
Public schools’ problems have changed dramatically in the cause of history. In the
40s the most severe problems were talking out of turn, chewing gum, running in
halls and littering. Today the difficulties have changed significantly.
In recent years the most serious problems are drug & alcohol abuse, pregnancy,
rape, assault and robbery. Experts believe that gang activity must be made
responsible for the developments. They are concerned that many students believe
that murder by a gang is no real crime. The only crime is to disobey a gang order.
In Detroit, for example, attacks on teachers and school employees jumped an
astounding 900 per cent in five years.
Violent Kids
No one is shocked of atrocities committed by mobsters, drug pushers or
psychopaths. However, there is a new development that scares everybody. More
and more teenagers, who should be the most “innocent”, are running amuck and
kill, beat and rape others. Adolescence is often a troubled time of rebellion and
rage like in the West Side Story. But juvenile crime appears to be the most brutal
one, because young criminals very often don’t show any remorse or conscience.
Teen crime includes all races, classes and life-styles, although the offenders are
overwhelmingly male. There are several reasons for this behaviour. Experts
believe that physiological, psychological abnormalities, gang movements and
cultural and family decay may contribute to this tendency. Some specialists are of
the opinion that aggression is biologically rooted. The roots of this reason can be
found in the production of testosterone, the male sex hormone, which makes
young teenagers aggressive.
Others are convinced that beatings by parents or others, alcohol or drug
consumption influence the youngsters in a negative way. Overburdened parents
with demanding jobs can’t supervise their children all the time and so kids often
feel neglected. Therefore the lack of parental supervision is a decisive factor for
juvenile violence. Also verbal attacks, sexual abuse by parents or relatives make
kids more violent.
Teenagers often adopt the values of their peer rather than those of parents and
teachers. Surveys show that group influence is the most important factor. In some
gangs the committal of something “brave and powerful“, like killing or raping
somebody, can give the child a great status and reputation in the group.
Apart of these factors also the entertainment media plays a curtail role in juvenile
crime. Stats show that the vast majority of youngsters witnessed thousands of
murder and crime on TV. Some of the teenagers believe that they have to imitate
the acts. Also the music industry contains of some aggressive, brutal, satanic and
sexual themes in album covers, videos and lyrics.
In some cases poverty plays the most important role. On the one hand ghetto
residents, teenagers of ethnic minorities are more likely to commit a crime than
others. However on the other hand also children, who have got everything, kill
and do violent things. These kids believe that they are entitled to anything,
because of their better financial situation.
Solutions are difficult to find, but society calls for stronger laws and punishment.
Furthermore the access to guns, alcohol and drugs must be made more difficult.
Others are of the opinion that the parents of violent kids should be made
responsible for the criminal activity of their children. Governments should offer
more rehabilitative treatment in form of individual and group therapy for the
young offenders. Moreover political parties should increase their battles against
drugs, poverty and racism at all levels.
So... don't fight.. talk...
Greetings
Harry1984
