Violence and Aggression in Sports is Because of the Media Research Paper

Violence and Aggression in Sports is Because of the Media - Research Paper Example A conclusion will hence be drawn as to the validity and weight of the thesis of the essay and a possible means of reducing violence and aggression in sports suggested. Introduction Violence in the field of sports is the physical and verbal actions executed during, around or directly linked to a sports event that are over and beyond the stipulated guidelines of fair play (Atyeo, 2000). This may be a boxing match, football, martial arts or even wrestling. These acts can and to include intentional assault of opposing players, abusive language and gestures towards referees. Threats also constitute violence. The violent and aggressive behavior witnessed in sports is as a result of the content of media coverage. Media (print, televised, audio and networked) has in the past swayed opinions, created and advanced perceptions and supported/ instigated different actions from the public they reach. However, it is worth noting that the media sometimes promote violence in sports unintentionally th rough live coverage. For example, the National Hockey League (NHL) of Northern America is characterized as lenient and supportive of gross misconduct, such as fighting between players. Hockey fans are entitled to watch the matches and the media is there to facilitate and satisfy this desire but its failure to censor occurrences of physical fights has in the past resulted in instances of violence perpetrated by the fans. ... the role media has played in fostering and fuelling acts of violence and aggression by sports enthusiasts and fans before, during and after sports events proving that the media coverage actively leads to and causes violence and aggression in sports. Discussion Giulianotti and Armstrong (2003) state that, â€Å"Modern day sports violence has its roots in western countries and was widely linked to the broadcasting of games on television sets† (p. 6). Popular belief suggests that initial cases of violence were directed and conducted by the working class individuals in an attempt to reclaim the various sports events which were primarily reserved for the rich and affluent members of the society. A decade later, similar incidences of hooliganism sprung up in more countries in Europe. The main reason the media creates and showcases sports violence and aggression is for the purposes of profit maximization through increased viewership and purchase of magazines and newspapers. The socie ty we live in is such that negative reports such as violence, deaths and accidents, during events attracts a considerable amount of public attention as opposed to more informative topics such as economics, healthy living, reforms among others, and the media utilizes this to its advantage. It is for this reason that the media will capitalize on every single opportunity that presents itself to report of violent incidents in sports events, with some glamorizing them and the perpetrators either with or without the knowledge that by doing so, they are just helping to polarize fans depending on their club loyalties. Children watching and reading the reports grow up knowing or thinking that violence in sports is something, which is normal and with such a trend, hooliganism in sports will never be

Popular Culture in the 60's Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Popular Culture in the 60's - Essay Example Americans perceived watching TV as a means of passing time. In fact, any time people were not watching shows, they would be heard taking about them. Most shows of the time were mostly American although some BBC programs were run on the ABC. Television broadcast could now be done on a color TV, as opposed to black and white, which might explain why Americans liked watching TV than listening to radios. Some of the most popular TV shows targeting kids included ‘Walt Disney', 'Howdy Doody Time,' and 'Mickey Mouse Club, just to name but a few. Some of the popular comedies shows at the time included ‘Honeymooners,’ ''I Love Lucy' and ‘The Families of the Fifties. The way of presenting news also changed significantly from just news reading to presentation of videos of the news events. In addition, live broadcast also became widespread (Storey 9). Music also become common, particularly the Rock ‘n’ Roll, which was introduced in the 60s. At the time of in troduction, many parents perceived it a threat to the behaviors of the American teenagers. Country and western music also became very popular. Some notable popular artists and groups of this genre include Jasper Johns, Robert Rauschenberg, Roy Lichtenstein, and David Hockney. In fact, the beetles could be heard almost everywhere as many people could be seen listening to music through pocket-sized transistor radios, portable record players and eight-track stereo in cars. Everyone with a radio could be seen singing alongside the thrilling quality of stereo FM broadcasts. Some of the biggest stars of the time include the Motown, the British Invasion, and San Francisco sounds (Farina and Candles par. 4). Research also indicates that the emergence of a rock band group known as the Beatles in 1964 brought about significant changes in music and fashion industry. His influence resulted in the emergence of long hair and beads and psychedelic clothing as new style. In this regard, both women and men like keeping their hair long as opposed to cutting them short. In addition, men considered keeping beads very fashionable. Women clothing were mainly psychedelic, in which most women saw short skirts to be very fashionable (Epstein 43). Drugs were also of great significance to Americans in the 1960s. For example, research shows that the lesergic acid diethylamide (LSD) played a huge role in making the sixties as significant as it is was. In this regard, LSD was used to help individuals to figure out things at a different angle that their psychedelic trance would grant them. Marijuana, which is also considered a drug was also commonly in use by the people of the 1960s. Even though marijuana has remained an illegal drug for several years, the people of the 1960s who were trying to establish new ways of exploring pleasure would smoke marijuana, despite being illegal (Enu and Kaisha 22). The use of psychedelic mushroom for experiments also became a very popular culture of the pe ople of the 1960s. Research shows that many Americans of the 1960s experimented with mushrooms in trying to get a new outlook of their world. As such, mushrooms were seen as a very precious food and drug (Oregon Public Broadcasting par. 2). The 1960s also ushered in new methods of cooking