▶ Your Answer :
People often refer to movies or television as a 'fool box'. This is largely because many people believe that they have more negative effects on the youth's thinking and behavior, such as making them passive. However, I firmly think that it is a misunderstood conception. If we treat movies and television wisely, then their advantages will far out-weight than the disadvantages. They not only reduce misbehavior of young people, but also have an enlightening effect.
To begin with, contrary to belief that movies and television instigate young people's violent behavior, things turn out to be totally different from the belief. In other words, by watching movies and television, the youth are more likely to conform to laws, regulations and social norms. According to a study conducted by Yale research center, children who watch movies regularly tend to behave well, even if movies they watch contain violent scenes. This is due to 'deterrence effect'. That is, viewers are more likely to become disgusted by violent scenes in the media, so they decide not to behave like those scenes they watch. In reality, more than two thirds of the surveyed students answer that they dislike unethical, immoral and cruel behaviors of actors so they usually determine to become a good citizen. In this regard, watching movies and television, despite bad contents they include, have positive aspects to the young people.
Second, we should not forget about the media's enlightening effect on young people. To put in in another way, by watching movies and television, young people can realize many problems in the world and it helps them become a benevolent person. To illustrate, take my example when I was 11 years old. At that time, one broadcasting company aired the TV program titled 'The reality of African children'. Before watching it, I had no idea how other children in other countries lived. At the program, I saw lots of African friends who suffered from severe war, drought, and poor education, which were entirely different from what I enjoyed in my life. Consequently, I was really shocked by what the TV aired and, made me to become a development economist to help the poor. During my study, I always dreamed being a person who will be helpful them and sometimes donated my money. If it had not been for the TV program, I would never have became such a person who decide to help others and dedicate myself to higher social values. From this perspective, I strongly believe that movies and television have beneficial aspects to younger's attitudes.
There is a proverb in South Korea, 'Every coin has two sides, good and bad. Deciding a good side of coin depends on us, not to coin.' This reflects important point to the problem of TV and movies as well. If we try to use TV and movies well, then we can be benefited from them, certainly. It will reduce younger's bad behaviors and promote benevolent attitudes. Thus, all we have to to is to treat them wisely. | |