Movies,Electronic Games,and Social Media

"When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. And that is my religion."– Abraham Lincoln

Do you realize that approximately 85% of current movies have sexual content? Further, the more such movies young people see, the more likely it will affect their sexual behavior. A recent study by Ross O’Hara found that prevalent sexual content of Hollywood movies leads many teens to engage in sex at a younger age, have more casual sex partners and be more likely to engage in unsafe sex practices. This research was found in The National Psychologist‘s September/October 2012 edition.

What if Hollywood movies placed more emphasis on health, well-being and fitness?  Would today’s teens keep Hollywood in business with those movies? What if the electronic games had less violence and instead emphasized a healthy lifestyle? Would today’s young purchase them?

Is it safe to say that today’s movies and electronic games are associated with violence and sex and reflect the values of many? However, we can’t say they are the primary cause  of violence or unsafe sex practices.  We can say that they are contributing factors to these behaviors. Just think of Arnold Schwarzenegger a movie action phenomenon who became governor of California and is currently making another violent action movie along with Clint Eastwood another action hero being a primary speaker at a recent political convention. Both of these men are popular as the result of their movie roles with its emphasis on toughness, violence, overcoming a wrong and so-called justification for killing another. That is not to say they didn’t play other roles later. And as Eastwood would say in “Dirty Harry” to a” bad “maie   that he was going to kill “make my day. “

Just look at what happened recently in Libya, Egypt and other Middle East countries. That amateur you tube video was used as a great excuse for violence, destruction, and death. This acting out demonstrates the power and influence of our electronic and media world.

What are our favorite sports? We love our football and our NASCAR. These aggressive and dangerous sports have replaced America’s pastime which was baseball. Those of you who are parent’s, I think you will require good luck in rearing your kids in today’s sexual and violent culture.

We all have to start with ourselves and be models. Hopefully, you’re modeling well-being, good physical and mental health, healthy nutrition, loving and rational behavior. Remember, “Keep moving.”