Re: Violence in America Who's Fault?

Caldwell ID

Description

You say that violence in America is down over 50% over the last 25 years. I do question that, and would like to see your sources. However, I'm not here to dispute that. I do dispute your violence on TV as being the source of what violence we do have. I don't know your age. Myself, I grew up in the age of the TV western. Roy Rogers, Hopalong Cassidy, Gene Autry, Audi Murphy, The Lone Ranger, Annie Oakley, and many, many others. There were multiple shoot-em-up westerns on TV every week. And yet gun violence was not nearly as pervasive as it is today. Why do you suppose that would be? I think there are a number of reasons. You have probably heard of “the good guys in the white hats”. Well, all of those people did not wear white hats. BUT, all of those people were “good guys”. They were the heroes of the times. Today you have video games like GTA, and you have more than a whole generation who's “music” glorifies the bad guys. It's okay to be anti-establishment. When I was growing up the majority of families had a stay-at-home mom and a working father. The family unit had parental guidance MOST of the time. Today, if a family wants to enjoy middle class living, then both parents have to work. Many families are one parent families, often with that one parent working two jobs. And any kids in the family are pretty much free to roam the streets. And in this “no spank” society, kids learn very little about discipline. If a kid has a “problem” you take him or her to a shrink who diagnoses him or her with the mental issue of the day, write out a prescription for the latest miracle drug, and send them on their way. Sorry, but no, I simply can't agree that the problem is violence in TV shows. It is a combination of many things, and lack of parenting is a big one. Kids need to be taught by a responsible adult, and not by video games and whomever is the hot rapper of the day.