Television-The Unnecessary Evil

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Television-The Unnecessary Evil

Television, called TV for short, is found in most of the homes across America and most people consider it a necessity for their life. It was made popular in the ‘50 and without doubt, the television has had an incredible influence on the lives of Americans and on our culture as a whole. It has been a fixture in most homes since it’s debut, and according to In Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Psychology, it is said that that 90 per cent of homes in “many western societies” have it (In Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Psychology). It has connected our nation and the world unlike most other inventions before it.

The question that we need to ask when considering the things that have an influence on the lives of Americans, is whether or not the influence is a positive one. We also need to consider whether the television is truly a necessity. We need to think about whether it is truly a necessary tool for living an educated and well-informed life. Some would say that it has increased our awareness of the world and politics, and made us more knowledgeable. Others would argue that it has had a negative effect and that the negative aspects would outweigh any good in it.

I am of the opinion that television has had a detrimental influence on the generations following its appearance, and that it has been an unnecessary necessity in the lives of Americans. I believe that we as a nation have seen violence and an adverse reaction, especially in children, as a result of this poison that resides in the homes. Studies have shown that scenes of violence on television have increased and as a result there has been an increase in violent behavior. “The average child will watch 8,000 murders and 100,000 acts of violence on ...

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Works Cited

Clemmitt, Marcia. “Reading crisis?” CQ Researcher, 18, 169-192. 22 Feb. 2008. Web. 29 Apr. 2011.

"Can Television Educate? (sidebar)." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues &

Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 7 Aug. 1998. Web. 29 Apr. 2011.

“Supporters Describe Urgent Need for Violence Restrictions” Facts on File. Issues & Controversies. Issue Date. October 05, 2007. Web. April 21. 2011

Television. In Encyclopaedic Dictionary of Psychology. n. pg. 2006. Web. 29 Apr. 2011

"Update: Television Violence." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies.

Facts On File News Services, 5 Oct. 2007. Web. 29 Apr. 2011.

Violence." Issues & Controversies On File: n. pag. Issues & Controversies. Facts On File News

Services, 12 Feb. 1999. Web. 29 Apr. 2011.

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