Values of media and their societal impact

Values of Media

Life in North America has become divided into sleeping, working and watching TV. This has turned into a TV culture in which the make-believe stories that are projected from the TV have become what define us. TV replicates as well as shapes our cultural expectations and norms. It has brought about upheaval in many, if not all areas of life. There aren't many people who can say that their work, family life, leisure time, and school have not in some way been influenced by television (Bolen, 2006).

It is apparent from the statistics that TV is a leading force in our world although this is quite a recent phenomenon. The era of TV has brought with it a change from the written word. This had encouraged rational and orderly discourse to a world of disconnected images which are based in a large part on sensation or feeling. This move has had great implications for the family. Even though there might be some truth to the idea that the television age will soon come to an end with the rise of the Internet, this has in most ways proved to be incorrect. Television, along with film has and will likely continue to be the dominant cultural force in North America for the near future (Bolen, 2006).

Although there are some benefits that can be had from viewing some television shows, such as the endorsement of positive aspects of social behavior like sharing, manners, and cooperation, there are many negative health effects that can also result. Children and adolescents are mostly susceptible to the messages that are communicated through television, which influence their opinion and behaviors. Many young children cannot differentiate between what they see and what is real. Research has shown negative health effects in regards to violence and aggressive behavior, sexuality, academic performance, body concept and self-image, nutrition, dieting, and obesity and substance use and abuse patterns (Policy Statement, 2001).

In much of the literature media violence has been shown to have an association with real-life aggressive behavior and violence has been substantiate. It has been shown that as much as 10% to 20% of real-life violence is attributable to media aggression. A recently completed 3-year National Television Violence Study found that: almost two thirds of all programming contains violence, children's shows often include the most violence, representations of violence are usually glamorized and perpetrators often go without punishment. A recent analysis of music videos found that almost a fourth of all music videos portray overt violence along with weapon use. Research has shown that even television news can upset children and cause nightmares (Policy Statement, 2001).

Television has an incredible influence on American family life. As the leading force in our media culture, television has changed people's habits, what they do with their free time, when and how they eat meals, when they go to bed, along with how they raise and entertain their children. Television is an significant part of children's lives, offering them a look at many things they will never have the opportunity to see for themselves. But TV viewing, particularly by children, needs to be controlled (A Guide to Critical Viewing for Parents and Children, n.d.).

The idea of Family Values became popular and political during the late twentieth century. While it has involved subjective meanings throughout history and modern usage, it can be portrayed as a set of beliefs or morals that help afford for family unity and social interface as well as providing for a societal view for childhood advancement. These approachs have included such topics as the roles of marriage, divorce, childbearing, gender roles, and sexual activity and have shaped not only the family's relations with society, but also legislative guidelines. Research has shown that there has been an increase in tolerance for diversity in values and behavior outside of customary family relationships. These values include attitudes towards sex roles, divorce, and co-habitation without marriage, extramarital sex, and childbearing (Family Values, (2010).

The function of education has changed with society. Education is present in order to benefit society. Different societies often have different needs in regards to education. These are often founded on the type of government, economy, and technology that is available to the particular society. As populations grow, the education system is tailored to deal with the increase in population and the assorted needs of the society. With the technology available in today's economy, it is probable that education could go back to the days when students received more individualized instruction. There is no refuting that technology will continue to alter education (Cornell, 2007).

Socialization is the development of a sense of being self connected to a larger social world by way of learning and internalizing the values, beliefs, and norms of one's culture. During socialization people learn to carry out certain roles as citizens, friends, lovers and workers. In the course of internalization our culture becomes second nature. People learn to behave in socially suitable and adequate ways. Some social institutions have precise roles in socializing the young and others have less deliberate but still powerful roles in the process. The mass media is a very influential socializing force. Media affects how people learn about the world and interact with each another. People often base most of their knowledge on government news accounts and not on experience. People are dependent on the media for what they know and how they relate to the world of politics. People read about or watch political debates that are then followed by instant analysis and commentary done by experts. Politicians often rely on the media in order to convey their message to the public. Related dynamics are present in other mediated events. Media is part of people's usual relations with family and friends. It defines their interaction with other people on a daily basis as a distraction, a source of conflict, or a unification force. Media has an impact on society not only through the substance of the message but also through the method (Mass Media & Society, n.d.).