argument153

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153.The following is from an editorial in the Midvale Observer, a local newspaper.
"Ever since the 1950's, when television sets began to appear in the average home, the rate of crimes committed by teenagers in the country of Alta has steadily increased. This increase in teenage crime parallels the increase in violence shown on television. According to several national studies, even very young children who watch a great number of television shows featuring violent scenes display more violent behavior within their home environment than do children who do not watch violent shows. Furthermore, in a survey conducted by the Observer, over 90 percent of the respondents were parents who indicated that prime-time television-programs that are shown between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.-should show less violence. Therefore, in order to lower the rate of teenage crime in Alta, television viewers should demand that television programmers reduce the amount of violence shown during prime time."


In this argument, the arguer concludes that television programmers should reduce the amount of violence shown during prime time for lowering the rate of teenage crime in Alta. To substantiate the conclusion, the arguer points out that in a survey conducted by the Observer, over 90 percent of the respondents were parents who indicated that prime-time television programs should show less violence. However, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t agree with the view and a careful examination of this Argument would reveal how groundless it is.


Firstly, as it known to all, crimes may consist of theft, corrupt, rob and so on, a part of violence is included, yet not every violent behavior belongs to crime. Probably most teenage violent behavior is aimed to vent negative emotions. Moreover for teenage the most common forms of crime is stealing rather than robbing, let alone more serious violence. Therefore, to reduce violent tendency can’t help lower the rate of teenage crime.

Secondly, in the survey, for the purpose of reducing the chance for their kids to be contact with violent scenes, most parents indicated that prime time television programs that are shown between 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. should show less violence. However, in ordinary families, young people watches TV just with his parents, if parents would like to watch relaxed and warm programs or even sports games instead of the violence or murdering, young people will never have access to so much violence through television. What’s more, child’s growth is inseparable from the education of parents. As who have most time spent with the kids, parents shouldn’t attribute to objective reasons.

Thirdly, the country is the place where the public security is bad, it’s not surprising that the rate of teenage crime is higher. As described in the TV programs, the rate of the crime in bustee where is full of dirty and evil is higher. This related to poor people's economic conditions and lack of education. And the bad public security makes it worse. So the survey can’t account for the high crime rate of teenage have something to do with the more and more violent scenes in the TV.

To sum up, the argument seems reasonable but groundless. To make it more convincing, the arguer needs more data to explain that television programmers should reduce the amount of violence shown during prime time for lowering the rate of teenage crime.