How Can There Be Too Much Torture... in Entertainment?

While I do not condone the use of torture, condemning the use of torture as violence in entertainment is going too far. True, psychology might dictate that children watching torture or aggression might be more likely to exhibit aggressive behavior themselves. Young viewers could be influenced or try to emulate the actions portrayed. However, this is all speculation. It is far more likely that children are turned violent by their schoolmates, teachers, or parents. Then what? Do we ban everything and everyone?

In the popular show “24” torture is the main feature of plots; violent methods of torture portrayed vary, and include chemical injection, electric shock and old-fashioned bone-breaking. Some people argue that it is because of such shows that children have become desensitized to violence. They claim that torture portrayed in television shows have made people less horrified by the idea of torture and harming another human being.

Researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital once did a study with middle school boys to find the possible relationship between violence in entertainment and delinquent behavior. While there were correlations between playing violent games and self-reported physical fights, this was only true in a small percentage of children. That small percentage of children had in fact already exhibited aggressive traits and a high stress level. The scientists also found that the traits of aggression and stress were predictive of delinquent behavior and bullying, more so than the playing of violent video games themselves.  In addition, the researchers saw that parent involvement and peer support also affected these negative behaviors.

People should not blame children’s aggression on violent television shows that depict torture. Torture being shown in the media is actually beneficial for society. Seeing a torture scene, for example, a principal character in a big-screen political thriller having his fingernails ripped out with pliers or a wisecracking hero of another film being traumatized by electrodes, helps people learn that the world is not violence free.

Torture in media is a way to familiarize children and adults to the harsh reality of life. People watching torture on television witness the painful physical and emotional wounds on the characters. From having torture presented to them in entertainment, viewers can identify with the scene and get more in touch with their emotions.

Torture is a useful addition to films and television because torture adds suspense to a scene without any dialogue. People need to understand that torture is a useful method to include in entertainment and actually benefits the greater good of society. Torture in entertainment helps people realize the violence happening in the world. Contrary to popular belief, torture in films and television does not lead to violent behavior in young children. It is a dangerous assumption to assume mental illness and violence would not occur if children never saw violent films and playing violent video games. People cannot blame children’s aggression on violent television shows that depict torture.

Works Cited

"Is a Culture of Violence Always a Bad Thing? | Big Think." Big Think. 2012. Web.
"Research Shows Violent Media Do Not Cause Violent Behavior." Massachusetts General Hospital. Web.