Effects of Television on Our Society Essays - 6952 Words

Effects of Television on Our Society INTRODUCTION Plato once, prophetically, posed a question that hints at the very core of this project. In philosophizing on the issue of entertainment and its various, sometimes questionable, sources he asked his fellow citizens to consider the following â€Å"Shall we just carelessly allow our children to hear casual tales which may be devised by casual persons, and to receive into their minds ideas for the most part the very opposite of those which we should wish them to have when they are grown up?† Shall we indeed? It is an ongoing debate. Plato obviously recognized the power stories have to shape who and what we are, and although some may be reluctant to admit to how much influence TV†¦show more content†¦The work of communication theorist and professor, Stuart Hall, confirms that meanings are not inherently in people; rather they are derived from external sources, one primary source being the mass media to which we are repeatedly exposed; in our homes, in our cars, and on the job. Hall asserts the media serves the myth of democratic pluralism-the pretense that society is held together by common norms, including equal opportunity, respect for diversity, individual rights..(Griffin 2000). TV sitcoms may not be intended to mirror our society, but they are perceived as such and the resulting ideology is a culture that at some level accepts whats being handed to them without examining the messages within. This newsletter is an attempt to examine these messages on a deepe r, more critical level. OUTLINE Race Portrayal and Sitcoms Gender Issues Stereotypes TV Families Television Violence Religion in Contemporary Sitcoms Religion in The Simpsons Pop Culture and The Simpsons Race Portrayal on Sitcoms In today’s society, it is safe to say that everyone has seen at least one sitcom in his or her life. The sitcom is simply a show about day-to-day life, with funny situations and problems and obstacles that must be overcome. People can relate to sitcoms because the characters are just average families and average people with average jobs. Sitcoms are essentially tapping at the root of American Humanism; drawing people’s interest aboutShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Television On Our Society2061 Words   |  9 PagesEveryone’s heard of Autism or Down Syndrome, possibly even Huntington’s Disease, but there are many different kinds of genetic disorders that most people have never heard of or have only seen on television. Ectrodactyly is a rare disorder most people wouldn’t know of, however if you’ve watched Ryan Murphy’s popular American Horror Story: Freak Show, you’ve seen it. It was formerly known as ‘lobster claw hand,â⠂¬â„¢ and in Freak Show, Jimmy Darling, portrayed by Evan Peters, has this disorder and is knownRead MoreThe Effects Of Television On Our Society881 Words   |  4 Pagesshe ordered after watching its advert on television. I looked at her with a contemptuous smile, and said â€Å"You Wish†. She started explaining to me how in the advert her favorite singer lost 25 lbs. in just two weeks by using this overpriced herbal formula. After two weeks, I visited her to see the awaited wonder, but I realized that she is one of the victims of lured advertisements, which are now part of our everyday life. We see advertisements on the television showing new glamorous lifestyles, hearRead MoreThe Effects Of Television Violence On Our Society1566 Words   |  7 PagesOur world has a variety of problems today, with violence being at the top of the list, you go anywhere and that is all you here about. Unfortunately it’s in front-page headlines of the newspaper and broadcasted on the news as top stories. Violence is a very big topic, although it is categorized into many small groups. There is juvenile violence, domestic violence, hate violence, terrorist violence, and violence displaced through various forms of the media. This research will be on violence in theRead MoreThe Effects Of Reality Television In Our Society Can Be1509 Words   |  7 Pages The effects of reality television in our society can be seen within the people and even within the government. Reality TV has affected our society in some drastic ways. Reality television started off by showing families supporting each other and being loving, this no longer the case in the year 2017. Reality TV is now promoting acts of aggression, twisting the society s morals, and values. This genre of television has greatly influenced some preposterous behaviors within teenage viewers and undoubtedlyRead MoreEssay on The Effects Of Television On Society778 Words   |  4 PagesThe Effects Of Television On Soci ety There is probably no greater influence on society than the television. It has become arguably the greatest invention of the past century. With it, we have witnessed countless historical events: Inaugurations of presidents; man’s first steps on the moon; the assignation of John F. Kennedy; even disasters as they happen. Americans watch TV in the morning to receive the daily news. They eat watching it. They watch it before they go to bed. But as televisionRead MoreThe Impact of Reality Tv on the Teenagers1732 Words   |  7 PagesKamat : Prof. Jenny Benoy Abstract Reality-based television programming has become a dominant force in television over the past seven years and a staple of most networks’ primetime lineups. This relatively quick change in the television landscape and the sudden increase in viewers’ consumption of reality television necessitate an investigation into the impact these shows are having on their viewers. This proposal attempts to exploreRead MoreThe Influence of Television and Technology in Society Essay834 Words   |  4 Pagesthings better but to what effect to human society? There appears to be a concern of moral and spiritual affect of what, and how we as society got to this point! Television has conveyed numerous adjustments to the way many people squander their leisure time. Some changes are beneficial; while others may be more poisonous to the mind. Television is so much more powerful because it is able to reach more people at one time. Society also reflects what is publicized on television in various areas, as wellRead MoreNeil Postman s Exploration Of This Issue1737 Words   |  7 PagesAs everyone knows society has many problems, however many do not realize that root of these problems may stem from the way they are discussed and presented. When a person compares how information was obtained and current issues were discussed prior to this century they come to find that the contrast between now and then is so outstanding. It’s completely clear why many people aren’t aware of what has been happening. The reason the difference is so profound is because our discourse has gradually beenRead MoreTelevision And Movies731 Words   |  3 PagesOne of the things that the television and movies cause us to do is to create stereotypes for people around us who are from numerous diverse social and cultural backgrounds. Television and films supply materials of which we form our very characteristics. These have shaped our sense of what our selves mean to ourselves; how we feel about being a male or a female; which class, ethnicity and race, of nationality we belong to, and of our sexuality; and of â€Å"us† and â€Å"them.† Perhaps the most significantRead MoreDesensitization From Lack Of Discretion1614 Words   |  7 Pagestyrannical government, loss of freedoms such as our freedom of speech and our freedom of press, and a stronger presence of authority in our lives on the one side. On the other side our country’s moral fabric could come apart, there could be a rise in violence, and the innocence of our children is at risk. It is the innocence of our children that we are going to take a closer look at. What par t does uncensored media play in the desensitization of our youth? Why should we be concerned about this issue