Violence in the World

This year’s Academy Awards marked the penultimate in the decline of the moral fiber of this country and reflected in low ratings. The movie industry glamorizes and rewards films that emulate two women getting away with murder, others committing suicide, and perhaps the best of all, awarding a felon who is unable to set foot on American soil, with the most prestigious acclaim of a career- the Oscar. What ever happened to the joy and pleasure of entertainment? Is it any wonder WHY our children are left dangling and perhaps schizophrenic concerning issues regarding conscience and behavior when responding to events and situations? Children react to what is known and familiar. For most children, the television and movie screen are the reference points by which action is taken.

Adults think nothing of the subliminal messages being sold by the industry and marketing giants. The emulation of Road to Perdition and Godfather would have children believe that loving and honoring your family while a career choice of murder is OK. The Simpsons convey parents as stupid and only children with common sense and intellect. The Pepsi Generation and other schemes leave children with the notion that the marketing industry is the ‘family’ and knows what is best for children- NOT the parents.

The most unspeakable subliminal message of Hollywood is that humor and clean entertainment is undesirable…there are no Academy Awards for comedy. If one looks closely at the billions expended by attendees this past year, the comedies like Greek Wedding and the light hearted tales like Harry Potter ranked high among moviegoers. During a time of war at every turn, lightness deflects reality. But the Academy is as political as any other institution and politics weighs heavily at Oscar hour.

How can parents battle the marketing and media industry with their billion dollar budgets in order to teach children what is right, honorable and just or to live a life of integrity when murder and other such atrocities are considered entertainment? The child mind does not differentiate between killing in movies, at war or in the classroom.