Using News Media to Produce Healthy Conflict Resolution

The media has a unique ability to affect attitudes and behaviors, negatively and positively. Through the use of many vehicles, media affects change in our society. One medium that largely produces these outcomes is the news media.

The news media plays a pivotal role in our society because it facilitates debate on national issues of concern; it not only makes the public aware of the events occurring, but it also allows for the resolve of these issues through discussion and coverage.  The manner in which it covers these debates, however, can cause either positive or negative outcomes and attitudes.

When news media foster effective communication between parties by allowing discussion, it results in constructive outcomes; the news can provide a unique forum for covering these matters of concern and bringing them to a resolution. However, discussing events or debating in a hostile, argumentative fashion can cultivate negative attitudes and hinder diplomatic resolution options.

“Problem-solving tactics generally include empathetic listening to the other side’s point of view, artful questioning to solicit the other side’s underlying interests, needs, and concerns, and creative attempts to satisfy those underlying needs, interests, and concerns in the resolution of the dispute.” (Reuban 2009).

These approaches can be seen in many of the news broadcasters today, especially in the recent debate over whether or not child obesity should be a cause for losing custody of children. The growing problem of obesity in children in this country has been discussed through news media before, but this new suggestion by the American Medical Association that would make it a cause to take children away from their guardians is making this issue a national debate. 

By allowing not only coverage of the issues, which brings more awareness of this growing problem and its severity, but also providing a place to debate possible actions, the news media is a necessary vehicle to bring resolution to this debate. Whether that be making a new law that would qualify child obesity as child abuse, making it a cause for putting children in foster care, or a different solution, the media’s constructive coverage of this event is critical in solving this social issue. The media provides a place for communication, which is necessary for any effective resolution – one that could even please both “sides” of this debate.  By not framing this issue as a two sided story, where one party will prevail over another, the news media is allowing multiple ideas and perspectives to be heard, which will hopefully bring the most effective solution ideas to the table.

(Reuban, Richard C. "The Impact of News Coverage on Conflict: Toward Greater Understanding." University of Missouri School of Law Legal Studies Research Paper Series (2009). Web.)

How do You Define Beauty?

A current topic of debate in relation to the media and behavior is sexual behavior. Sex is everywhere. The popular saying “sex sells” has been proven and confirmed on numerous occasions. However, it is becoming more and more accepting as the norm, and raunchier, racier images are being shown even more frequently. How does this affect our society, or more importantly, our youth?

The issue I have with the current media and its depictions of sexuality, and beauty in general, is that they are a skewed version of reality. with the use of photo editing software like Photoshop, almost all of the images we see in today’s media are not real; they are altered versions of reality. Sure everyone likes to look at pretty people and attractive things, but what are the real effects on our society?

Women compare themselves to fake images. They set unreachable goals for physical perfection. Men see these images of bodies and faces that aren’t even real, and yet that is the standard of beauty today. Even the most attractive women in media have been subject to editing, making them even more attractive, if that is even imaginable.

Check out some of these examples:

This leads to problems for women in our society—and not just the physical (and life threatening!) disorders like anorexia and bulimia, which are on the rise, but even deeper issues, like self-esteem. These are pressures that men face as well; the popular use of illegal steroids and other enhancing drugs are a serious problem.

So what is the media doing to combat this issue?

One of my favorite campaigns of our times is the Dove Campaign for Real Beauty. They use media to spread their message that all girls are beautiful. They have an interactive website, commercials, articles, blogs, and more that try and correct what the media has made us believe is reality, and competes with how the media has typically defined beauty.  (http://www.dove.ca/en/default.aspx#/cfrb/)

I think this campaign is important because the images we see subconsciously affect us all. As the cultivation media theory describes, what we see presented in the media becomes incorporated into our worldview; we unknowingly accept it as reality. Impossible standards and their effects on women of all ages is detrimental to our society, but campaigns and movements like this one by Dove help to offset this distortion and encourage positive habits, behaviors, and feelings by educating people through the same use of the media vehicles that contribute to the problem. One of the best ways to stop the negative behavioral and psychological effects of altered images is to make people aware of their prevalence.

Gaming for the Greater Good

Going hand in hand with my last post, different media are making serious efforts to positively affect society and lose the stigma of perpetuating and encouraging destructive behaviors.

Video games have been a major target for criticism when it comes to negatively impacting media, especially with the young, shapeable minds of children. However, not all video games are centered around violence.

I learned about a new movement in the video game world in 2006 when I was babysitting. The parents of this nine-year-old boy had a new rule that for every hour of gaming that he did, he had to play 30 minutes of a new game, called “Darfur is Dying.” This game wasn’t about killing enemies or battling creatures, but about survival. The character was either in a refugee camp or out looking for food, water and shelter. It was actually pretty intense; it was quite an eye-opener to what was happening in Darfur during that time, especially to a nine year old. This game opened the door to many games of this sort for this family, and they still enforce this rule today.

“Darfur is Dying” is one of many games created by the “Games for Change” movement. Today, they feature games such as “Inside the Haiti Earthquake” and “Fate of the World.” Although some argue that it is a stretch to use video games to educate people, namely young people, on the current issues that our nation and globe face, I think it is an extremely positive force. And as of June, Games for Change went “global,” blowing up around the world.

I think these games not only provide an educational opportunity for users, but they also allow them to experience and consider situations that they may not have ever before, like putting them in the position to try and solve global problems. They allow users to simulate reality in ways that (arguably) elicit a positive impact. And they also make young people aware of serious issues, like environmentalism and the importance and effects of laws.

check it out! http://www.gamesforchange.org/

Games for Change also shows how this medium can be used for good, despite its reputation. In its ruling on protecting games, The Supreme Court said "Like the protected books, plays, and movies that preceeded them, video games communicate ideas- and even social messages- through many familiar literary devices (such as characters, dialogue, plot, and music) and through features distinctive to the medium (such as the player's interaction with the virtual world)." Games may not be the most effective way to teach young people about the social problems facing our world, but it is definitely a medium that they can understand and connect with. They aren't boring, they provide a challenge, they allow for practice and improvement, and they can even be fun...what a great way to learn!

With the help of parents, mentors, etc, this game could seriously change the youth of our nation, and help them to grow into a more politically active and responsible generation. There is no doubt in my mind that some of the games on the market today have a horrible influence on users. However, I do not believe that the gaming industry as a whole is to blame, nor the medium itself. Games for Change is not the only movement toward positive, more serious gaming. Others like “Food Force” and “Persuasive Games” are part of this trend that could be revolutionary for video games.

(http://www.persuasivegames.com/)

In fact, a study recently published by the Journal of Adolescent Health showed that girls who play appropriate video games with their parents are “generally better behaved and showed lower rates of depression.” To me, and this study supports my opinion, I think the biggest factor in the influence of video games on kids is what games they are exposed to. The level of parental interaction is always going to be the main force of influence, but when it comes to games, there are definitely plenty of positive options out there.

Oh, and the little boy I used to babysit is now very serious about "going green" and saving the environment. :)

TVs fight against Drunk Driving

The effect of media on behavior has been discussed and theorized by researchers for years. In regards to television, most of what you hear about this subject has to do with the negative effects of portrayals of drugs and violence. However, although not as frequented in media headlines, TV and other media’s ability to positively affect society has been seen.

Many people don’t know that the entire concept of a “designated driver” was formulated through the use of media to reach the public. They did not use public service announcements (PSAs), bombarding the audience with facts and information, but rather incorporated the idea into regular shows. Harvard professor Jay Winsten started this campaign in 1988, and with his efforts and determination, 160 different prime-time television shows included a designated driver in their story lines that year. I think it’s pretty safe to say that everyone knows what a designated driver is, so it seems obvious that this strategy worked to disseminate knowledge on the extremely positive idea of using a designated driver. The facts back it up: within a year of these shows airing, 67% of American adults said they were aware of the concept of a designated driver (Cox, 1999). That’s pretty effective! This strategy of incorporating and encouraging positive ideas and behaviors through TV programming rather than information campaigns seems as revolutionary as it is effective.

Winsten’s work was only the beginning of the media’s involvement in the fight against drunk driving. Today, the popular organization “Mother’s Against Drunk Driving” (MADD) relies on media to spread its message, raise awareness, and involve the public in its efforts. They often utilize press releases, PSAs, and multiple publications, including an online magazine in their efforts (check it out: http://www.madd.org/about-us/history/how-madd-has-been-successful.pdf). In fact, they recently released a statement about the death of Ryan Dunn, a reality TV star that was killed in an alcohol related accident.

As seen with this tragic incident, drunk driving is obviously this is still a big problem that our society faces today. However, I think using the media, especially TV, is essential in bringing an end to it.  Many commercials for alcohol now even contain messages about having a designated driver as well.

Although many can argue that the negative effects of the content concerning drugs and alcohol evident on TV is destructive to society, it is hard to refute that this medium also contributes to the spread and encouragement of positive ideas and behaviors. The dangerous and deadly effects of drunk driving are often featured on crime shows such as CSI and Law and Order, and the benefits of using a designated driver are being shown more and more. 

(http://www.cdc.gov/healthcommunication/ToolsTemplates/EntertainmentEd/index.html)

(http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jay-winston/designated-driver-campaig_b_405249.html)

(Cox, C. 1999. Prime-time activism. Utne Reader, pp. 20-22.)

The Influence of the Media on Teen Pregnancy, Good or Bad?

There has been much debate recently surrounding the effect of MTV’s shows “16 and Pregnant” and “Teen Mom,” in which multiple teens each season are shown as they experience pregnancy and parenthood as teenagers. The young girls featured on the sure are being viewed as "stars" and frequent tabloid covers. Many argue that these shows glamorize teen pregnancy and encourage this behavior. However, studies conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy show that this is actually not the case. In fact, according to this study, “16 and Pregnant” actually promotes awareness about the struggles and risk of teen pregnancy, and may even encourage young people to talk about the subject with their parents.  (http://www.thenationalcampaign.org/resources/pdf/SS/SS45_16andPregnant.pdf)

However, this is not the only example of young, unexpected pregnancy stories displayed by the media. Movies like Juno and Knocked Up depict young people experiencing unplanned pregnancies. The 2007 ABC series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager” is entirely based upon the unplanned pregnancy of a high school girl. Bristol Palin’s pregnancy and motherhood have been targets of media exposure since the day the information was released. Does the growing coverage and popularity of this content in the media perpetuate this behavior?

National data showed a 3% increase in teen pregnancy rates from 2005-2006 (although this is not the highest it has ever been). Many high schools around the country now provide free day-care centers for their students. In the 2008 pregnancy scandal at a Massachusetts high school, a whopping 17 students became pregnant, seven of which admitted to making a pact to get purposely get pregnant together. Lifetime network made a TV film out of the event. These facts make it hard to argue that there is no effect from these situations being presented by the media.

However, the argument remains whether this is a positive or negative effect. Although pregnancy rates among young adults seem to be increasing, national statistics show that the proportion of teenage pregnancies resulting in abortion are decreasing.(http://www.guttmacher.org/pubs/USTPtrends.pdf).

The profuse prevalence of young mothers being portrayed in the media seems to undoubtedly be altering societal norms. Awareness of the subject is obviously increasing, and although some may say this promotes the behavior, others argue that it informs young people about how to responsibly deal with it.

The fact is, unplanned pregnancies and teen pregnancies have been occurring forever. The attitudes of society on this subject are really what are being influenced. The more this topic is given coverage by the mass media, the more people accept this as the norm. Furthermore, as the cultivation theory states, when experience confirms what is shown, we “project” the effects. As this is shown as ordinary, people come to accept it as such. In the last few years, teen pregnancy has shifted from taboo to commonplace; it is no longer treated as a scandal. Is this simply because of its pervasiveness in the media? And the social learning theory of observational learning would argue that the abundance of teen pregnancy stories in the media would affect the actions of young adults in respect to pregnancy.

Are people simply imitating what they see and acting in accordance with new social norms, causing pregnancy rates among young people to rise, or does the discussion and exposure of the subject actually promote more positive, healthy ways to deal with an issue that has been around for years?

Consider this: When my mother was 18 she had an unplanned pregnancy that she was forced to hide from everyone. She was sent off to live with an older family member out of town, was not allowed to attend her own high school graduation, and was given no choice by her family but to give her child up for adoption. If she was put in the same situation today, her options may have been different. So does the media exposure of this matter hurt, or help?