Veronika Nowak

Ilss2

Essay 1 – Television shows (sitcoms, drama) in the US are often criticised for

promoting the wrong values. Do you agree or disagree?

The Big Bang Theory, Riverdale or Gossip Girl. The majority of television shows

produced in the US depict violence, abusive relationships and promote stereotypical

thinking. Especially Children and younger people, who watch these series and films

learn from these behaviour patterns and are not able to identify, where the line

between comedic and actual depiction of characters is. Promoting the wrong values

causes younger audiences to accept false behaviour, while the boundaries are being

raised constantly.

US TV shows glorify violence and abusive realtionships. As a result of watching TV

shows that include violence, The National Institute of Mental Health states that

“Children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. Children

may be more fearful of the world around them. Children may be more likely to

behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others.” (1982: Vol. 1) While

adolescent commonly know the difference between TV violence, abusive behaviour

and real violence, younger people may not know that shows exaggerate bad

behaviour.

TV shows from the US promote stereotypes and stereotypical thinking. Especially

sitcoms often show stereotypes struggling to fit into what seems to be the society

norm and make fun of mishaps and problems these stereotypes face with popular

society. Stereotypes present narrowed down characters that promote ignorance and

stupidity while making fun of socially disadvantaged people. For example, the US

sitcom the big bang theory relies completely on such stereotypes: the scientists are

uncapable of showing emotions and developing relationships, while penny, the girl

next door is shown as a dumb, one dimensional character.

Veronika Nowak
Ilss2

To conclude, US TV shows promote the wrong values to children and young people

in forms of violence depiction, abusive relationships and stereotypical thinking. While

adults may already know the exaggeration of such behaviour in shows, children are

more affected by watching TV shows.

303 w.