Television and the Decline of America

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After sunset, the blue glare of the television screen can be seen in just about any home all

across the world. Millions of people a day will be caught idly sitting, watching their favorite

program and slowly letting their lives pass away. Television has become a pivotal and massive part of everyday life. News, music, entertainment everything there is can be found by simply pressing a button. The world is at our fingertips. Or is it? With the television generation growing up before our very eyes, we are becoming aware of some unforeseen social consequences. The far-reaching influences of television are quickly turning into a monster of a social problem.

The controversy surrounding this issue is fueled mainly by the public's desire to keep

what they see as a valuable tool in their lives. It is generally believed that television can be a great educational tool. Many also argue that television doesn't promote violence as critics so often claim, but it might actually prevent it. While these concerns are certainly valid, the public must also acknowledge the unrealistic social standards television establishes. Moreover, how is television affecting society as a whole, and what is its relationship to the decline of social capital?

How often do we, as media consumers, crave a good action movie? Our society considers

itself above the raging mobs of the coluseum, but more often than not we find ourselves

devouring movies like Gladiator. In recent study researchers found, "80% of all television

programs contain some violence. A typical program contains about five violent acts" (Demers 37). Another study asserts, "By the time your child reaches the age of 14, it is estimated that he or she has watched 13,000 killings an...

... middle of paper ...

...e isn't easy and it's

impossible to learn about life by simply watching it. Television has become an unnecessary

distraction from the real world. The world is out there waiting for people to quit wasting their

precious time. Turn off the television and make time for what's important.

Works Cited

Demers, David. Breaking Your Child’s TV Addiction. Minneapolis: Marquette, 1989.

Putnam, Robelt. "Turning In, Turning Out: The Strange Disappearance of Social Capital in

America." Political Science and Politics 28.4 (1995): 664-683.

Tiggemann, Marika. 'Television and Adolescent Body Image: The Role of Program Content and

Viewing Motivation." Journal a/Social and Clinical Psychology 2 May 2005: 361-381.

Troy, Tevi. "The Cathartic Effects of Violent Films." Violence in Film and Television. San

Diego: Greenhaven, 2002: 128-132.

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