Violence In Movies

Violence In Movies

Violence has always been a part of movie-making, but until recently, really violent movies were only seen by the fringe of mass culture. Violence now has gone mainstream. Bloody films are being watched by more than just punk rockers. “Family station wagons and vans pull up to movie theatres showing R-rated slasher films” (Faber, 2003:16). And middle America watches these same programs a few months later on cable TV or on video. Many of the movies seen at home wouldn't have been shown in theatres 10-20 years ago. Because of the violence in movies, it affects our life and society by increasing the number of crimes. Secondly, it affects our life and society by creating an unsafe environment. Movie violence these days is louder, bloodier, and more anatomically precise than ever before.

When a bad guy was shot in a black-and-white Western, the most we saw was a puff of smoke and a few drops of fake blood. Now the sights, sounds, and special effects often jar us more than the real thing. Slow motion, pyrotechnics, and a penchant for leaving nothing to the imagination all conspire to make movies and TV shows more gruesome than ever. Lastly, violence in movies affects our life and society by decreasing our children sensitive to the pain of others. Children's greatest exposure to “violence comes from television” (Hill 2008:65). TV shows, movies edited for television, and video games expose young children to a level of violence unimaginable just a few years ago. The average child watches 8,000 televised murders and 100,000 acts of violence before finishing elementary school. “That number more than doubles by the time he or she reaches age 18” (Ledoux 2007:4).

A child's exposure to violence is pervasive. Children see violence in the movies and in all over society. The daily news is rife with reports of child molestations and abductions. War in foreign lands along with daily reports of murder, rape, and robberies also heighten a child's perception of potential violence. “Television in the home is the greatest source of visual violence for children” (Nowell 2009:74). According to Hill (2008) “violent images on television and in the movies do contribute to greater violence in society” (Hill 2008:78).

Sociological studies along with common sense dictate that we do something to reduce the violence in the media before it further damages society. Violent images on television and in the movies do contribute to greater violence in society. Sociological studies along with common sense dictate that we do something to reduce the violence in the media before it further damages society. Solutions can be learning about the impact of violence in our society. Share this material with your pastor, elders, deacons, and church members. Help them understand how “important this issue is to them and their community” (Rocchio 2000:10).

However I propose three solutions. Firstly, we can stop buying and renting movies with such content. Secondly, we can decrease the availability of 25% of violent movies and make 25% ...