This
editorial concludes that increasingly
violent television
programming during prime
time in the country of Alta is responsible for the steady increase in violent crime
among Alta''s
teenagers.To support this
conclusion the editorial cites various statistical
studies about violence on television. However, this
evidence provides little credible
support for the editorial''s conclusion.
To begin with, the editorial observes a correlation between violence on television
and violent teenage crime, then concludes that the former is the cause of the
latter. However, the editorial fails to rule out other possible explanations for the rise
in violent crime among teenagers. For example, since the 1950s it is entirely possible
that Alta has seen a large growth in its population, or a deterioration of its juvenile
justice system or economy. Any of these factors, or other social,political or economic
factors, might lead to an increase in violent crime among teenagers. Without ruling
out all other such factors it is unfair to conclude that television programs are responsible
for this increase.
Next, the editorial cites studies showing that young children exposed to violent
images are more likely to behave violently in the home.This evidence would support
the editorial''s conclusion only if teenagers and younger children react similarly to
television. However, common sense tells me that young children are more likely than
teenagers to mimic observed behavior. Moreover, the editorial fails to provide any
evidence that this sort of mimicry ultimately develops into violent criminal behavior.
The editorial then cites the Observer
survey in which "90% of the respondents
were parents" who would prefer less violent television programming during prime
time. However, the editorial fails to provide any information about the survey population; therefore it is impossible to determine whether the survey results apply generally
to the Alta population. In addition, we are not informed how many parents were
surveyed but did not respond.The greater this number, the less reliable the survey
Thus, as it stands the Observer study is statistically unreliable and lends no credible
support to the editorial''s conclusion.
Aside from the survey''s statistical unreliability, in citing the survey the editorial
assumes that parents'' preferences about television programming have some bearing
on whether their teenage children will commit violent crimes. However, the editorial
provides no evidence to link one with the other. Moreover, the survey is relevant only
to the extent that teenagers watch television during prime time. However, the editorial
provides no evidence about this extent.
In conclusion, the editorial is unconvincing as it stands.To strengthen the argument,
the editorial''s author must rule out all other possible factors contributing to
the rise in teenage violence.The author must also show that teenagers react to violent
television images similarly to how younger children react to the same images.
and that Alta teenagers watch a significant amount of television programming during
prime time. In order to better evaluate the argument, we would need more information
about the Observer survey population, and about the percentage of those surveyed
who responded.
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