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Wrestling and violence. Nielsen figures show Monday Night Raw draws more teenage male viewers than Monday Night Football – 15% of them are under age 11. MNR soared in popularity during the late 1990’s reaching as many as 8 million viewers by the end of 1999.
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Wrestling and violence • Nielsen figures show Monday Night Raw draws more teenage male viewers than Monday Night Football – 15% of them are under age 11. • MNR soared in popularity during the late 1990’s reaching as many as 8 million viewers by the end of 1999. • According to Nielsen ratings, 483,000 children between the ages 2-11 watch MNR & 872,000 watch Smack Down every week. • Nielsen ratings state that 627,000 children between the ages of 9-14 watch MNR and 847,000 watch Smack Down a week. • Based on these statistics it is safe to say that Wrestling has SMASHED its way into American Pop Culture!!!
Wrestling and violence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k15W00WJ1OE&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mt7HjdtbeUk
Wrestling and violence *’Big Evil Pain Sin-Dicate: Let the Beatings Begin’ (Undertaker) *‘Hit it Strong: Hit it Hard’ (The Rock) *‘The Truth Won’t Set You Free’ (Kurt Angle) *‘Pound 4 Pound, One Tough Little Bastard’ (Rick Dudley)
Experiment Conducted by the University of South Carolina: • 121 male children were surveyed in a classroom setting • children surveyed in groups of 13-25 • children ranging in age from 10 – 17 were surveyed • survey took between 50 – 60 minutes • males in this age range were used because this is the primary target audience for professional wrestling • composition of sample was multicultural Wrestling and violence
Results: • Wrestling is associated with racial stereotypes and desensitizing viewers to violence • The use of aggressive stimuli (chairs, ring bells, bats) has been shown to increase the learning of aggression. • Humour in the context of violence has also been shown to increase the learning of aggression ( the Rock’s T-shirt: ‘We Bring the Whuppin’, You Bring the Ass’) • Young male viewers are presented with a narrow portrait of masculinity: • - “white males are the voices of authority” • - “women are sexy props and prizes for male aggression” • - “aggressive players get the prize” & “nice guys finish last” • - “boys will be violent boys” Wrestling and violence
OTHER STUDIES INDICATES: • Teachers noticed students imitating the aggressive language and behaviours that students have watched on professional wrestling shows • Survey among 370 teachers (grade 2-8) found that 50% of those students who watched wrestling were physically aggressive and were more likely to get into trouble in the classroom or at recess. • Teachers viewed wrestling as harmful to children’s development and contributed to students acting out problems in school. Wrestling AND VIOLENCE
In the News: Wrestling and violence • Lionel Tate had claimed he accidentally killed 6-year-old Tiffany Eunick while imitating professional wrestling moves. (2001) • Tiffany suffered a fractured skull, lacerated liver and at least 35 other injuries. • Tate will be under house arrest for a year and probation for 10 years. He also must complete 1,000 hours of community service and receive regular counselling.
DEBATE : • Wrestling is nothing more than entertainment and it is okay to watch it • or • Wrestling promotes stereotypes and violence, and young kids shouldn't be permitted to watch it. Wrestling and violence