Where's the Problem, Media or Parents? In the past few years, media violence has increased on television, in turn bringing inevitable resistance from concerned parents. What they don't stop to think about is that maybe the media is not the only area to blame. Parents are to blame when children are subjected to violence in the media, because it is due to an undedicated parent, not a careless network or radio station. "Taking Aim", by Wendy Mellillo states, "While research indicates that viewing violence can cause aggression, studies conclude that the leading determinant of violent behavior is upbringing. Predictably, politicians have been silent on this finding. Poor parenting, after all, is not a traditional vote-getter."(Mellillo). With all pressure building up, one or both sides may eventually have to compromise to achieve a partial victory. Could this lead to ratings that praise mildness, and treat violent shows and movies as if they were outcast? Who has the greater right to their beliefs, the media or concerned parents? Should we limit the freedom of speech that we have cherished since the foundation of our country? Movie producers should have the same protection under the constitution as any other American. On one side, we should respect people's right to express them, and Jeffrey Cole makes a strong point for this in saying:What we'll be trying to do is to operate on the assumption that violence per se is not necessarily bad. If you were to argue that violence in and of itself is bad, then you would be against Schindler's List, Bambi, The Lion King, and The Wizard of Oz. We think parents would not say simply that children can watch nothing with violence in it-you would miss very important programming where violence is very responsibly dealt with and carries an important message. (Cutler) On the other, we can't invade homes where one person's expression is offensive to the other. More and more, ...
