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Evidence for Ecological Modernisation in the Tourism Sector
Evidence for Ecological Modernisation in the Tourism Sector
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Introduction
One of the critical changes to the 21st century life has been how humans are expected to interact with their environment. The carelessness and lack of attention that preceded the current modern era is no longer sustainable. Every sector of the world has had to adjust, factoring in ecological modernization, and finding ways to move forward with environmentalism as the core principle for modern industries and sectors. Ecological modernization is a term used to label the efforts within policy communities aimed at transforming a majority of the basic premises in the capitalist economies to describe activities aimed at transforming liberal theories relating to environmental policies (Langhelle, 2000). In this theory, proponents assume that the ongoing environmental issues can be internalized through social, political, economic institutions and can bring forth sustainability. Andersen & Massa (2000) define ecological modernization as a school of thought that argues for better environmental protection and consideration as a way to benefit the economy more and sustainably so. Therefore, elements such as government regulations and greener technologies or any other move aimed towards benefiting the environment can be said to be an essential part of ecological modernization. The tourism sector is among the industries that have had to do a lot of adjusting. Tourism destinations are now demanded by policy and regulations to improve their sustainability efforts, compete in a way that favours the environment, and use their commercial success for the welfare of the ecological (Hojnik, 2018). As a result, the entire tourism sector has been forced to set up innovative policies and models to usher in a new era of perspectives and interactions between policy instruments and stakeholders intending to bring a balance between the increasing environmental concerns and economic growth. The aim of this paper is to review the ecological modernization theory with reference to the tourism sector. The tourism sector must endeavour to advance ecological modernization introducing new management strategies and new technologies for players and stakeholders to continue restructuring the sector, thus benefit their economic agendas and the environment as well.
Why Focus on the Tourism Sector?
A majority of sectors have received a significant amount of backlash from the scientific and scholarly communities regarding their contribution to environmental pollution and degradation. The tourism sector, however, has somewhat been spared. Literature on this subject suggests that a majority of people view the sector as only involving polite people holidaying and tourists moving from one country to another without any significant negative effects on the environment (Han et al., 2018). Such a viewpoint is flawed and misleading. The tourism industry is very wide, and as noted by Hobson and Lynch (2018), it encompasses several subsectors such as hospitality (restaurants and accommodations), travel information and facilitation (tour companies, information centres, and travel agents), entertainment and attractions (wildlife, national heritage, theme parks and other sites), and transportation (car rental and airlines). Therefore, the sector contributes remarkably to the current environmental problems in the world.
Development in the tourism sector puts a lot of pressure on natural resources. According to De Jong et al. (2018), the tourism sector pushes natural resources whenever there are increments in consumption in places where the resources are already scarce. For example, water resources are depleted, especially fresh water, due to uses in hotels, swimming pools, personal use, gold courses, and so on. There is a larger generation of waste water due to such tourism developments. Other areas that contribute to environmental degradation and depletion of natural resources include local resources, land, and air pollution. In some spaces, the sector has led to the complete change of wildlife behaviour, pollution, societal problems, and economic issues for an entire ecosystem (Terryn, 2010). Environmental resources have suffered in the hands of tourism, yet, studies continue to casually bypass the harmful effects that the sector places on the ecology. As such, the reason for choosing this industry is based on a need to add to the current literature and to instigate a new line of thought regarding tourism ecology and how the sector can change and transform its policies and technologies to better benefit the environment. The ecological modernization theory, therefore, applies very well to a sector that has been understudied, providing an opportunity to offer suggestions for the future of the industry.
Ecological Modernization in the Tourism Sector
The ecological modernization theory posits that society and its people can be environmentally sustainable by developing greener technologies and policies without necessarily making big changes to their lifestyles or challenging their cultural practices. In the tourism sector, scholars such as Al‐Saidi & Elagib (2018) and Spaargaren & Van Vliet (2000) note that some of the negative outcomes include the fact that an area is put under enormous pressure and emergent issues such as increased pollution, soil erosion, heightened vulnerabilities to natural disasters like forest fires, loss of natural habitat, more pressure on the life of endangered species of plants and wildlife, and discharge into large water bodies. On the flipside, Coffey & Marston (2013) found that the tourism sector can actively and positively contribute to the betterment and conservation of the economic, social, and natural environment. Resources attained through tourism are used up in the economy to improve the living standards of the local communities, both directly through salaries and similar outputs and indirectly through social and environmental policies that make it mandatory for companies to give back. Companies operating in the tourism sector have been known to contribute positively by initiating campaigns that benefit the environment (Al‐Saidi & Elagib, 2018). Therefore, the tourism sector is of benefit to the ecological modernization theory because it already has a framework to ensure policies and outcomes that sustain the natural environment while still benefiting the social and economic realms of a society.
Ecological modernization has emerged as one of the most prominent neoliberal perspectives and a leading theory in the field of environmental sociology. The concept has gone through a series of developments, engaging different perspectives in an effort to come up with the best strategies to for societies to deal with the environmental crises. In the tourism sector, ecological modernization helps to identify problems as well as rate of changes in the nature as a result of activities relating to tourism. For example, through ecological modernization, environmental impacts of the tourism sector are identified to include loss of bio diversity, depletion of the ozone layer, climate changes, and natural disasters. Ecological modernization is described by Terryn (2010) to be a critical component of tourism ecology that predicts and models future hazards as well as issues caused by tourism. Relative to the tourism sector, the ecological modernization principle theorizes that the current continued industrial development provides the best option for the world to escape from the ongoing ecological challenge as opposed to continuing to degrade the natural environment. The sector must modify its institutions as a direct reaction to the environmental issues and show how these adaptations result in ecological improvements. Therefore, as a prominent neoliberal perspectives and a leading theory in the field of environmental sociology, ecological modernization in the tourism sector will inform the next generation in terms of policies and choices relating to transformation of consumption and production.
The Tourism-Environment Connection and Policy-Making Processes
At the heart of environmental-related politics lies a tension and an imbalance between environmental protection and economic growth. The tourism centre is squarely in the centre of this situation. Considering the threats and challenges facing the tourism sector, Han et al. (2018) observed that a need to be innovative in creating policies in order to remain competitive is essential. Government policies are important in this regard. Government regulations and policies must include new interactions, and policies to redefine the collaboration between policy instruments and stakeholders in the tourism sector to attain strategic development goals including environmental concerns. Specifically, local stakeholders such as community leaders and local governance in major tourism destinations have a direct influence on the supply side policies and decisions that will impact the way ecological modernization ideas are taken up. Evidence from Coffey & Marston (2013) and Potts (2010) show that the government (local governance included) is not fully able to manage environmental policies advanced through the ecological modernization theory, without devolving a significant portion of this role to the private sector, especially in the tourism sector. Therefore, government policies must incorporate the participation of the civil society and the private sector in order to promote the liberal ideas advanced in ecological modernization principles. The role of political process in decision-making is that it will, at its core, involve local governance, the civil society, and the private sector in the process of changing how the tourism sector interacts with the environment in an effort to maintain profitability while advocating for the welfare of the environment.
A majority of environmental problems identified within the tourism sector are partially addressed because governing authorities find it difficult to transform policies into sustainability practices. Government players also lack political will in terms of imposing restraints on economic actors that collaboratively bring about ecological and economic benefits. Coffey (2012) found that government regulations regarding the tourism sector is not a linear process that includes the enforcing of specific policies within a well-defined and distinctive impact. The success of political policy processes depends on a myriad of factors and especially on the working together of variant groups in the society to bring about change. In countries like Australia and New Zealand, environmental policies lack the much-needed integration between different stakeholders and sectors. The main problem with the government regulations and policies is that they are based on traditional and restrictive regulatory mechanisms that are a part of the environmental problem (Coffey, 2016). Government policies on the tourism sector in relation to better environmental models suggested in the ecological modernization approach are inadequate. For example, New Zealand and Australia have previously instituted policies on tourism destinations with implementation deficits and a clear shortage of mechanisms suited to evaluate effectiveness of the policy in making the positive influence required. As a result, Byrne et al. (2009) advocate for a change in perspective in terms of sustainability in the tourism sector, demanding that for there to be a balance between the economic and the environmental outcomes, regulations must effectively be used as frameworks that encourage change. This ideation is better compared to the previously used approaches that use government policies and regulations as a rigid system of rules. Credible sustainable objectives and flexible policy directions will promote the adoption and development of better and greener technologies in the tourism sector, while ensuring that environmental regulations are implemented, enforced, and evaluated from a collaborative point of view.
Ecological modernization perspective is expected to bridge the gap that exists between government regulations and the betterment of the environment. As a variant concept in sustainability development, the ecological modernization view aims to create an advantage indicating how to attain sound environmental positions without necessary forcing organizations and other players in the tourism sector to pursue certain directions (Lidskog & Elander, 2012). The ecological modernization principle is, therefore, a reconciliation between the constantly opposing objectives of environmental protection and economic progress. Greener industrialization is one of the ways that the ecological modernization view points as a way forward for the tourism sector. As a paradigm for the systemic restructuring of a society in terms of how ecological issues are addressed, the ecological modernization perspective can be used to bridge the gap in economic requirements of a society versus the need to ensure that the environment remains protected. The core themes include a change of the role of scientific technology, an increasing importance for market dynamics and economic entities, transforming the role of the government, altering the discursive policies and practices and the emerging ideologies, and modifying the role of ideology in social movements. Therefore, the ecological modernization theory will change how the tourism sector uses conventional curative or repair solutions and replace them using preventive strategies that incorporate environmental considerations into the entire sector.
Application of Ecological Modernization Themes into the Tourism Sector
Ecological modernization asks players in the tourism sector, governments included, to consider the decentralization of governance, to give more power and resources to entities at the lowest level so that innovation and better policy formulations are achieved. Specifically, ecological modernization, according to Hills (2005), demands for a more flexible, a consensual, and bottom-up style of governance in transforming the tourism sector from the traditional control and command policy-making machine. Increasingly, there is a need to include social players from both the private as well as the public sector regarding the decision-making process about environmental reforms. The ecological modernization standpoint identifies strategies to defeat the deficiencies of traditional bureaucratic position in policy making regarding the environment. First, the ecological modernization calls for transformation of environmental policies such that traditional approaches are replaced with newer best-practices. For example, curative measures that have dominated the tourism sector for the last century should be replaced with newer ideas focusing on preventive solutions for the environment. Additionally, participatory policy formulation process must replace the exclusive measures that currently define the tourism sector, as well as decentralizing policy making and enforcement. The overall idea is to make every stakeholder a contributor towards better environment policies (Warren, Christoff, & Green, 2016). Therefore, the ecological modernization wants to have favorable conditions for environmentally sound policies and practices to replace the over-regulated environmental position. The role of the state in transforming environmental policies will be steering through economic mechanisms and a change of management strategy. The introduction of collective obligations for the tourism sector through discursive interest mediations will be one of the ways to achieve this transformation.
Another application of the ecological modernization view to the tourism sector is the transfer of incentives, tasks, and responsibilities from the government to the tourism market in order to accelerate the processes of transforming ecological policies. As the government is relieved a part of its role in ensuring a regulated tourism sector, the decentralization of power is likely to lead to faster implementation of policies. The transfer of tasks, incentives, and responsibilities will be better managed by the private sector and individual players in the tourism sector (Spaargaren & Van Vliet, 2000). For example, policies on waste management can only be implemented and enforced better if individual players come up with solutions that align to other rules and regulations such as organic solutions and other preventive ideas. With such policies, the solutions proposed will not only be green and better for the environment, but will also ensure meeting of economic objectives and goals and faster implementation of the said practical policies. The market is a more effective and efficient mechanism for dealing with environmental issues compared to the government. The main idea of ecological modernization is not to weaken the power of the government but rather to complement it through faster and more efficient application of policies (De Jong et al., 2018). The process of environmental management is very critical, especially in the tourism sector. Therefore, a transformation relating to the connection between the society and the government is needed in order to ensure that policies are formulated at the basic level where they are needed and are applied accordingly in line with the concerns of every player in the sector. For example, a policy relating to the use of a natural resource including waste disposal will be better if formulated by the local community including environmental experts in the region. This would not mean that the role of government is reduced, but rather decentralized to increase effectiveness and efficiency at the lowest levels. The effect is that better policies will be created and the environment would be considered in every step of the process.
The ecological modernization sees the environmental issues as opportunities instead of a crisis. In the tourism sector, industry-wide innovation coupled with incentives from an enabling government would create a path towards improvement of environmental quality as well as economic growth. Coffey (2016) views this as a win-win situation for the social, political, economic, and ecological objectives and entities. By “ecologizing” an economy and “economizing” the environment, sustainable consumption and production will be achieved at the highest possible levels. Ecologizing the economy in this case refers to the consideration of the effect of economic policies on the environment, doing every economic activity while considering how the same would affect the ecology. Similarly, economizing the environment refers to the idea that every aspect of ensuring the welfare of an ecology must be considerate of the effect on the economy. In this regard, ecological modernization transformation of how policies are made will be the only sure way to ensure that the economy and nature remain as collaborative entities. The tourism industry through the main consumers (local communities and tourists) must account for all environmental aspects in the consumption and production processes, so as to see the ideas of ecological modernization come to fruition. Overall, ecological modernization will likely change how the tourism sector participates in the overall aim of ensuring the best for the environment.
Conclusion
The aim of the above discussion was to review the ecological modernization theory with reference to the tourism sector. Ecological modernization is a term used to label the efforts within policy communities aimed at transforming a majority of the basic premises in the capitalist economies to describe activities aimed at transforming liberal theories relating to environmental policies. Development in the tourism sector puts a lot of pressure on natural resources. The ecological modernization theory posits that society and its people can be environmentally sustainable by developing greener technologies and policies without necessarily making big changes to their lifestyles or challenging their cultural practices. In the tourism sector, some of the negative outcomes include the fact that an area is put under enormous pressure and emergent issues such as increased pollution, soil erosion, heightened vulnerabilities to natural disasters like forest fires, loss of natural habitat, and more pressure on the life of endangered species of plants and wildlife, and discharge into large water bodies. The discussion established that the tourism sector must endeavour to advance ecological modernization introducing new management strategies and new technologies for players and stakeholders to continue restructuring the sector, thus benefit their economic agendas and the environment as well.
References
Al‐Saidi, M., & Elagib, N. A. (2018). Ecological modernization and responses for a low‐carbon
future in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 9(4), e528.
Andersen, M. S., & Massa, I. (2000). Ecological modernization—origins, dilemmas and future
directions. Journal of Environmental Policy and Planning, 2(4), 337-345.
Byrne, J., Gleeson, B., Howes, M., & Steele, W. (2009). Climate change and Australian urban
resilience: the limits of ecological modernization as an adaptive strategy (pp. 160-178). Routledge.
Coffey, B. (2012). Another opportunity lost? Victorian labor’s enactment of sustainability, 1999–
2010. Australian Journal of Public Administration, 71(3), 303-313.
Coffey, B. (2016). Unpacking the politics of natural capital and economic metaphors in
environmental policy discourse. Environmental Politics, 25(2), 203-222.
Coffey, B., & Marston, G. (2013). How neoliberalism and ecological modernization shaped
environmental policy in Australia. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 15(2), 179-199.
De Jong, M., Chen, Y., Joss, S., Lu, H., Zhao, M., Yang, Q., & Zhang, C. (2018). Explaining city
branding practices in China’s three mega-city regions: The role of ecological modernization. Journal of cleaner production, 179, 527-543.
Han, M., De Jong, M., Cui, Z., Xu, L., Lu, H., & Sun, B. (2018). City branding in China’s
northeastern region: How do cities reposition themselves when facing industrial decline and ecological modernization?. Sustainability, 10(1), 102.
Hills, P. (2005). Environmental reform, ecological modernization and the policy process in Hong
Kong: an exploratory study of stakeholder perspectives. Journal of environmental planning and management, 48(2), 209-240.
Hobson, K., & Lynch, N. (2018). Ecological modernization, techno-politics and social life cycle
assessment: a view from human geography. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 23(3), 456-463.
Hojnik, J. (2018). Ecological modernization through servitization: EU regulatory support for
sustainable product–service systems. Review of European, Comparative & International Environmental Law, 27(2), 162-175.
Langhelle, O. (2000). Why ecological modernization and sustainable development should not be
conflated. Journal of environmental policy and planning, 2(4), 303-322.
Lidskog, R., & Elander, I. (2012). Ecological modernization in practice? The case of sustainable
development in Sweden. Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, 14(4), 411-427.
Potts, T. (2010). The natural advantage of regions: linking sustainability, innovation, and regional
development in Australia. Journal of cleaner production, 18(8), 713-725.
Spaargaren, G., & Van Vliet, B. (2000). Lifestyles, consumption and the environment: The
ecological modernization of domestic consumption. Environmental politics, 9(1), 50-76.
Terryn, I. C. (2010). The use of ecological modernization theory for the greening of the tourism
industry. Journal of Tourism Challenges and Trends, 3(1), 65-82.
Warren, B., Christoff, P., & Green, D. (2016). Australia’s sustainable energy transition: the
disjointed politics of decarbonisation. Environmental innovation and societal transitions, 21, 1-12.
Evidence Based Management
Evidence Based Management
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Institution
Evidence Based Management
Selection of Job Applicants
Sieving candidates for a job is an event that should be cautiously handled to ensure that the best recipe for a company’s success is put up (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2006). That calls for consideration of factors that derive their basis on Evidence-Based Management, so to ensure that the selection develops a team that is motivated and can drive the company to success (Leslie, Loch & Schaninger, 2006). The rail transport industry is not one that would be left behind in such considerations, as this company should also manipulate factors to their benefit, and extract the best of candidates from the list of applicants. In so doing, an analysis of the psyche and competence of the applicants should be conducted, with grilling done to every detail and comprehensively. Locomotive engineers are the spine of the firm, and as such, only suitable applicants should be selected (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2006).
Job Analysis
The transit of a train is very much dependable on the competence of the locomotive engineer, a factor that calls for sobriety and high level of competence among the applicants. The chosen candidates should have an in-depth knowledge of the systems of a train and the track. They should also have knowledge of the cargo and be familiar with the route and schedule to ensure that the company keeps its reputation. The candidates should also be liable and dependable, in which case liable implies that they should not have any addictions or problems that may interfere with their concentration while on duty (Kovner & Rundal, 2006). According to Donaldson (2012), availability is another factor that should be duly considered as the duty stretches to an average of forty hours a week, and may sometimes demand overnight or weekend responsibilities.
Mechanical and academic qualifications are the factors that should be considered when handling the selection of the candidates. That is because the duties of a locomotive engineer may prove rather challenging and hard to incompetent individuals thus factoring in negative events like derailments or even steering beyond the legal maximum speed. The candidates should be conversant with the speeding and brake systems as part of their responsibility is to ensure that the gauge is smooth when on transit and the systems operations are correct. The engineer is also required to conduct an inspection of the systems of the train before the commencement of a journey, and even call for more detailed inspection by the maintenance personnel if need be. Inspection of the cargo before the commencement of a journey, and during the journey requires that the applicants have a minimum of high school diploma.
From the above analysis, the following deduction can be made for the job:
Qualifications:
High school diploma.
Experience in handling a locomotive’s system (should be conversant with the breaks, gears and other gauges).
Knowledge on the terrain of the track.
Duties:
Inspection of cargo before the commencement of a journey and during the journey.
Inspection of the train’s operating systems.
Steering of the train and inspection of the instruments to ensure that the ride is smooth. Should also ensure that the train’s speed does not exceed the legal speed limit.
Recruitment and Selection
This is the most challenging part of the job selection process as any slight falter might lead to the assembling of a team full of incompetence (Leslie, Loch & Schaninger, 2006). As such, the selection should be an infusion of three techniques as it a test to determine the ability of the applicants (Rousseau, Barends & Briner, 2014). Interviews, questionnaires and tests should be infused to form a comprehensive system that tests the confidence and reliability of the candidates. A combination of the three techniques also tests the candidates’ ability to work under pressure.
The candidates will start out by filling a questionnaire that examine their interests, qualifications and reliability for the job. The questionnaires that should be filled out in block letters will be relevant not only in determining the factors mentioned earlier, but also in confirming the education levels of the applicants. That is because illiterate applicants would not be able to decipher the content of the questionnaire, let alone fill it appropriately. After the questionnaires have been filled, they are presented to the panel that also administers the interview. Though the questions asked in the interview will not be very much different from the questions projected on the questionnaire, they panel serves to examine the confidence and credibility of the applicants. They also determine if the applicants can work under pressure. As such, the panelists must be individuals who have served as locomotive engineers and managers.
Testing will be last of the techniques used in selecting a competent team. The tests should simulate working conditions, in which the candidates are presented with challenges that mimic the troubles encountered with the job (Rousseau, 2006). In teams of three, they will be required to solve the enigma within a specified timeframe. Their ability to handle situations swiftly and efficiently, and also to participate in team work will be determined through the tests.
A combination of the above three techniques makes the selection process comprehensive and articulate (Rousseau, 2006). Candidates who successfully pass every stage of the selection process are reputable, confident and competent enough to tackle the challenges that come with the job. They are also capable of working in a team productively and efficiently. That is because the systems also test an individual’s ability to sustain pressure, and yet maintain productivity (Rousseau & Barends, 2011).
Training
Considering that the successful applicants will be individuals who are already conversant with the operations of a train, training will be diversified to include more of the expectations required of them by the company. A two-week training will be administered during which the engineers will be paired with turn boys as they are accorded the opportunity of the learning the operations of this particular company. During the travelling sessions, they will be required to gather information on the complexities of the systems and the train tracks and deliver a written report at the end of the two weeks. A two-day cinema will also be conducted to induct the candidates into the other responsibilities required of them, including CSR. During the cinema, they will be trained on how to handle the company’s clients, cargo and even how to be supportive of the community, in general. They will also be taught in the languages that depict etiquette and respect.
ConclusionThe factors of selection and training combined should present the company with a team that is not only competent, but also well aware of the CSR duties. Such a rounded team will ensure that the company maintains standards as well as entice the community with a credible association that is depicted through love and care. A combination of the three selection techniques also ensures that the psych and mental strength of the applicants are tested thus eliminating candidates who cannot withstand the pressure. The recruitment and training processes would ensure that the entire process is Evidence Based and aspires to drive the company to success.
References
Donaldson, L. (2012). EBMgt Using Organizational Facts. The Oxford Handbook of Evidence-based Management, 791-827.
Kovner, A., & Rundal, T. (2006). Evidence-Based Management Reconsidered. Frontiers of Health Services Management, 22(3), 3-3.
Leslie, K., Loch, M., & Schaninger, W. (2006). Managing your organization by the evidence. The McKinsey Quarterly, (3), 64-75.
Pfeffer, J., & Sutton, R. (2006). Evidence-Based Management. Havard Business Review OnPoint, 1-13.
Rousseau, D. (2006). Is There Such a Thing as “Evidence- Based Management”? Academy of Management Review, 31(2), 256-269.
Rousseau, D. (2012). Envisioning Evidence – Based Management. The Oxford Handbook of Evidence-based Management, 19-85.
Rousseau, D., & Barends, E. (2011). Becoming an evidence-based HR practitioner. Human Resource Management Journal, 21(3), 221-235.
Rousseau, D., Barends, E., & Briner, R. (2014). Evidence – Based Management: The Basic Principles. Center for Evidence-Based Management.
Discuss the validity of cultural censorship in childrens media studied in class from two different perspectives
Discuss the validity of cultural censorship in children’s media studied in class from two different perspectives
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Abstract
The media has been proven the main source of violence and aggressive behavior shown by children in the modern culture. Censorship programs have been used to determine the effect of children exposure to violent films and messages. The following is an argument on the role of the media and television in the social life of an individual irrespective of age, gender, sex, or religion. In order to discuss the validity of cultural censorship in children, two programs were selected. These are the Sesame Street and the Best of Families. The most significant theory used on this discussion is the cognitive theory that describes the behavior of people when exposed to certain situations.
Censorship
Censorship refers to the suppression of a speech that may be considered harmful, sensitive, or socially incorrect when determined by a media outlet or a government. Governments, private organizations or individuals who engage in self-censorship conduct censorship programs. Although many countries provide a restriction against censorship, it is important to strike a balance of conflicting rights in order to determine things that can be censored and those that cannot.
This discussion will argue that the media and television plays a great role in the social life of an individual irrespective of age, gender, sex, or religion. Censorship programs have been used to determine the effect of children exposure to violent films and messages. Censorship programs have the ability to influence children positively or negatively. In order to discuss the validity of cultural censorship in children, two programs were selected. These are the Sesame Street and the Best of Families.
Text 1: This is about the “Sesame Street” children censorship program
Introduction
The following discussion focuses on a research-driven children censorship program, Sesame Street, with the focus of encouraging children learning through media. The main issue of importance of this program in shaping the future lives of children in America. Censorship was done in order to research on the validity of cultural censorship in children media.
Argument
Point
I totally agree with censorship campaigners on Petley text in the fact that such violence cases shown on television have little effect on older people because they bear the capacity to sustain such disturbing images. The Sesame Street program made children aware of all ill effects associated with some of the messages portrayed in the media and gives suggestions to parents on how to take care of their children. On the other hand, children are at a greater risk of facing the consequences of irresponsible social behavior caused by media ignorance.
Critique
This argument is signified by the fact that cultural censorship in children media studies is supposed to provide children and their parents with advices on how to avoid irresponsible social behaviors caused by the nature of advertisements and programs shown in the media. The introduction of children television in America was aimed at providing them with the necessary education knowledge and skills. The Sesame Street program never used violent films to censor children because Petley understood the negative effect of introducing children to horror films. People chose what they want to watch and what they believe in, but media has neglected this issue. In addition, the level of socialization depicted by an individual and what they pass through influences their actions and eventually, reflect into someone’s mind after getting the consequences.
Example
For example, Barker and Petley argue that media plays a significant role in conducting campaigns about the need to protect children. The only critical issue is that the same media who are so much concerned about the children protection needs are the same people who end up airing such violence films and videos (Barker and Petley 1997; 95-99). In this program, it is argued that the even if children use media and technology, they are not in a better position to distinguish between evil and good messages. Children require a set of programs that will enable them ask essential questions about what is acceptable to see, listen to and read on the media.
Explaining the Sesame Street censorship
The following support this argument. Firstly, every individual must possess the conscious awareness and reasoning about the prevailing situations. Horror movies characters are terrifying and violent signifying that a person viewing such a film is carried away psychologically and thinks in the same manner as movie actors. In some instances, a child develops much anger and hurt his friends due to his aggressive nature learned from watching violent films. These reactions emerge from assaults and sufferings a person goes through while thinking of the others suffering in the movie (Nevid 2011). The experience prepares a child for his future tasks related to terrifying and inhuman acts such as warfare, torture and assassinations. In addition, the behavior of portrayed in movies make psychologists term such individuals as mentally challenged. Their physical look totally matches the menacing behavior forcing other children to fear them (Barker and Petley 1997; 113).
The above example supports my point on the importance of introducing the Sesame Street program. Firstly, mass media plays a significant role in shaping people’s lives in the modern culture. People irrespective of age and sex are disturbed constantly with messages from media sources including television, magazines, radios, and other media sources. These messages have the capability of promoting not only the product but also introduce some ill effects to viewers (Barker and Petley 1997). Young people, especially those on their teenage stages, are in a critical translation period in relation to civic and political socialization. Children participation in various activities such as playing games, watching movies and listening to certain media programs stimulate their long-term engagement where family and education experience contributes to the social process. The influences received from such media facilities act as a building block of social capital, which include an individual’s participation to the social activities (University of Maryland libraries 2001).
In addition, the media houses are to blame because they do not take into consideration the negative effects such films have on children. Cultural censorship discussed in class indicated that the effect of watching violent and horror films also creates mixed reactions to children who come from backgrounds where they are highly protected. The question on violence in the media and its ill effects on children is the most widely researched area. Studies dating back in 1970s show that media violence has the capacity of increasing the risk of aggressive behavior on children. Other dangerous effects include desensitization to the pain and suffering of others making them fear the world. Cline, Croft and Courrier however, contradicts with this arguing that desensitization of children takes place when a child is exposed to violent and horror films for a long time (1973; 363).
The Sesame Street program also provides a prove that media has changed the behavior and reactions of children towards their parents, teachers and colleagues. Children learn a lot from watching films on the television depending on the amount of time one stays watching per day. The study conducted concerning the Ill Effects led into a number of behaviors portrayed by children, which are possibly learned from the media. A medium that is supposed to be teaching children how to behave well in school is the same that exposes them to films that make them disrespect their elders (Barker and Petley 1997).
The perspective given in the cultural censorship program on the ill effect of media claims that all behaviors are learned and there stands a chance of modifying them through a system of reward and punishment. Children in the class expressed certain behaviors that made teachers term them as carefree persons who never minded about their own welfare. On the cultural censorship in children’s media studies, some measures of aggression were used that makes it acceptable that media has a stake on the character of children.
Conclusion
As demonstrated on this argument, the validity of cultural censorship in children’s media studies in the classroom depends on the nature and type of censorship program. Sesame Street forms one of the programs that play a role in shaping the behavior of children. Even though media violence introduces children to arrogant behaviors, the ignorance of parents and the society in taming their children by preventing them from accessing films and videos with acts of violence and the responsibility of the media in conveying certain messages that changes the attitude of viewers. From the above discussion, it is clear that a lot of debate comes along with the role of media concerning the violence and aggressive behavior found in children.
Text 2: This is about the “Best of Families” children censorship program
Introduction
This discussion will focus on Best of Families children censorship program and its negative effects to the life of children. The program was thought to have a huge impact on children behavior because it portrayed how long-term television viewers end up changing their behavior. The program chosen in relation to the effect of the amount of time a child spends watching films with violence acts on desensitization. Victor Cline, Roger Croft, and Steven courier from the University of Utah carried out the research to evaluate the effect time spent by children on television on their behavior.
Argument
Point
Based on the cognitive perspective on the human behavior, it does not matter how many violence based films a child has watched because the results are the same. The best of families program exposes children to many violent acts and does not provide any moral support. The media is to blame because they never care about the negative effects this program bring to children.
Critique
Censorship campaigners argue a lot on who is at great risk when such cases of television violence occur in media facilities. Children suffer most because what they see might end up changing their behavior towards their peers or family members. The opinions given on this program are not true and worth noting.
Example
The situations shown on this program are a bad expression to children. The program uses a story of divorced parents who ended up portraying violent behaviors to their children making them develop fear and arrogance towards their friends.
Explanation
Irrespective of the type of age group exposed to violent, whether children or adults, media contributes to all these evils. The courts of criminal justice have many debates involving the responsibilities of media ranging from videos, books, and disturbing advertisements. Media has even gone a step ahead to disregard the bible teachings on the effect of disturbing images and actions to the mind of a viewer. The Best of Families censorship program should face a ban or made more presentable to children.
There have been various domains of influences associated with media contents shown on the television, which have negative effects on children. These include aggressive behavior, body image, self-esteem, and violence (American Psychological Association 2002). The actions portrayed in films are not generally a representation of individual’s behavior and the media should educate children on how to avoid such unacceptable behaviors. Television representatives should include a brief history of the film before showing it to restrain children from assuming certain characters. A good example is the World Wide Entertainment (WWE) that always warns viewers from trying anything seen on the screen at home, school or anywhere else (Cline, Croft and Courrier 1973).
From the very long time, psychologists have been studying people personalities and the differences between different individuals. The study of psychology is concerned with a person’s identity and the different in the manner of thinking and behavior between individuals. The psychological approach to personality argues that person’s behavior and traits are determined by the childhood experiences which determines the person’s fears, desires, and gives motivation towards the intelligent levels throughout the individual’s life (Garry 2000; 33).
The Human Centipede 2 film presents an example of a negative effect of social isolation. Social interaction between children provides sensory stimulators that result into short and long-term memories. The type of filming used on this film created a sense of fear to viewers. The entire movie coverage takes place in the darkness leading to curiosity and tension of viewers. If at all adults fear watching this movie, what about children whose level of sustaining certain memories are low. Memories are essential in child development because it gives a child a chance to share with others, a factor that Best of Families program fails to address. Too much isolation and exposure to violent television programs results into a child having evil minds and having a desire to behave in the same manner like what she saw on the television (University of Maryland Libraries 2001).
The research on desensitization of children to television violence shows the effect children have on exposure to long-term or short-term exposure to violence films. The study outcomes showed that children who are heavy television watchers might end up desensitized to violence. The study used the films The Bank Dick and The Champion that depicted violent act of actors. The producers of such movie always dictate the age limit of people supposed to watch the movies, but the ignorance of parent and the media contributes to the exposure of such films to children. In the real world, experience provides a valuable resource that assists in developing an informed citizen. The public affairs media has the power to enable people work together in building the nation. However, not all media facilities influence people positively. Television is one of the media facilities that have the capacity of inducing negative effects on viewers (Cline, Croft and Courrier 1973).
There has been a controversial from legislatures, media executives, education official, parents and sociologists on the role of media in determining the social behavior of people. Different people have varying opinions depending on the type of level of influence, but the bottom line is that all parties agree that media forms a permanent part of the modern culture. Such program like the Best of Families should not be used to censor children because they make them more arrogance and violent.
Conclusion
As this paper has demonstrated, the Best of Families children censorship program does not deserve to be used to mentor children. This can be seen from the fact that because children demonstrated irresponsible behavior and become more aggressive following the actions shown in the program. In addition, children isolation from their peers can be seen as one of the major causes of change of behavior. Secondly, the responsibility of parents towards their parents might affect their behavior. A child could be watching violent movies for a long time but with correct guidance, it creates no effect on their behavior.
List of references
AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION. 2002. Violence on Television. Retrieved
from:
www.apa.org/pubinfo/violence.html.
BARKER, M., & PETLEY, J. (1997). Ill effects the media/violence debate. London, Routledge.
CLINE, B. VICTOR, CROFT, R. ROGER AND COURRIER, S. (1973). “Desensitization of
Children to Television”, Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, Vol. 27, No. 3, 360-365.
GARY, J. A., (2000). Values, violence, and our future. Netherlands: Atlanta, GA.
NEVID, J. (2011). Essentials of Psychology: Concepts And Applications. The Third Edition.
Cengage Learning.
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND LIBRARIES. (2001). Children’s Television Workshop.
Retrieved from:
www.lib.umd.edu/NPBA/subinfo/ctw.html.