NCJ Number
50543
Journal
New England Journal of Medicine Volume: 294 Issue: 15 Dated: (APRIL 8, 1976) Pages: 811-817
Date Published
1976
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE IMPACT OF SYMBOLIC CRIME AND VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS ON THE HEALTH OF YOUTH IS EXAMINED.
Abstract
IN 1973, A TOTAL OF 18,032 YOUTHS BETWEEN 15 AND 24 YEARS OF AGE DIED IN MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS; 5,182 WERE MURDERED AND 4,098 COMMITTED SUICIDE. THE DEATH RATE FOR THIS AGE GROUP WAS 19 PERCENT HIGHER IN 1973-1974 THAN IT WAS IN 1960-1961, DUE ENTIRELY TO DEAHTS BY VIOLENCE. THE LARGEST INCREASE IN DEATHS FROM HOMICIDE DURING THE 1960'S AND 1970'S WAS BETWEEN 1 TO 4 YEARS OF AGE. MORE THAN 1 MILLION CHILDREN SUFFER PHYSICAL ABUSE OR NEGLECT ANNUALLY, AND AT LEAST 1 IN 5 DIE FROM MISTREATMENT ACCORDING TO A 1975 STUDY RELEASED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND WELFARE (DHEW). THE EXTENT AND IMPACT OF TELEVISION ON THESE STATISTICS ARE HARD TO COMPREHEND FOR PERSONS WHO DO NOT WATCH TELEVISION REGULARLY. IN ADDITION TO TELEVISION, VIOLENCE AND SEX PERVADE THE COMICS, PAPERBACK BOOKS, AND FICTION MAGAZINES. TELEVISION IS DISTINGUISHED FROM THESE OTHER ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA, HOWEVER, BY ITS PERVASIVE IMPACT ON CHILDREN. LOW-INCOME CHILDREN SPEND MORE TIME WATCHING TELEVISION THAN OTHER CHILDREN. THE TWO MOST IMPORTANT FEDERAL STUDIES CONCERNING THE IMPACT OF TELEVISION VIOLENCE ON YOUTH WERE CONDUCTED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON THE CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF VIOLENCE SET UP IN 1968 AND THE SURGEON GENERAL'S SCIENTIFIC ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON TELEVISION AND SOCIAL BEHAVIOR SET UP IN 1969. ONE OF THE ESSENTIAL FIRST STEPS IN REDUCING THE INCIDENCE OF VIOLENCE IN TELEVISION PROGRAMS IS GENERAL PROFESSIONAL ACCEPTANCE OF THE ROLE OF TELEVISION VIOLENCE AS A RISK FACTOR THEATENING THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF YOUTH AND OFFICIAL ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT TO REMEDIAL ACTION. THE TELEVISION INDUSTRY IS EXPERIMENTING WITH AN EVENING FAMILY HOUR FROM WHICH VIOLENCE AND SEX HAVE BEEN LARGELY REMOVED. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)