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Violence in the Media

A Culture of Disrespect: When the Extreme Becomes the Norm

In the weeks and months following the tragedy at Columbine High School I did hundreds of interviews with journalists all over the world. The conversations always returned to the fundamental question, "Is the media one of the causes of this and other similar tragedies?"

I do not believe that media directly causes school shootings like the murderous rampages in Littleton, Colorado. I doubt that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold and other teen shooters listened to Marilyn Manson, played Doom for a while and then loaded up their guns. Rather, the role that media plays is in shaping the norms. And the norms, in truth, determine the extremes.

No one will argue against the statement that events like the tragedy at Columbine High School are extreme. Unfortunately, there have always been and there always will be kids drawn to extreme behavior. But what qualifies as extreme is related to the definition of normal. If normal behavior is kids treating each other with some respect, then the extreme might be a verbal outburst, a kick or a punch. But if insults and "in your face" behavior are already the norm, then the extreme behavior is going to go farther over the edge. As our culture becomes more and more violent, extreme expressions of violence will inevitably become more grotesque.

That's where the media comes in. Whoever tells the stories defines the culture. That isn't new. It's been true for thousands of years. What is new is that during the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st we have delegated more and more of the story-telling function to mass media. Some of the media take the art to new heights. Too many, however, don't. Too many specialize in dishing out heaping servings of violence, mayhem and degradation.

Today the average American child will see over 200,000 violent acts on TV alone by the time high school graduation rolls around. Who knows how many simulated murders they will have participated in if they're "playing" video games like Eric Harris' favorites? Besides TV, movies and electronic games, many kids spend hours listening to music or visiting web sites that reek of vulgarity, misogyny and hatred.

The research linking violent media with attitudes and behavior is so overwhelming that few researchers even bother to dispute that screen bloodshed has an effect on the kids watching it. But what is the real effect of a steady diet of Jerry Springers and video games with slogans like "Easier than killing babies with axes?" I believe the most pervasive effect is not so much the violent behavior, but rather the culture of disrespect it creates and nourishes.

The media has redefined how we are supposed to treat one another. We've gone from "Have a nice day" to "Make my day." Too many of our kids have learned, and are learning that lesson.