INTRODUCTION
Cultural and social problems attributed to gun violence have been a prevailing phenomenon for years. In a society where one could be fragile to the effects of cultural crackdowns and psychological breakdowns, guns have been a prevalent tool in addressing violent actions. Guns induce both violence and personal protection, but using it would likely trigger more instances of violence than self-defense. Gun violence could be attributed to irresponsible parenting and exposure to pop culture as causes, which may be interconnected between one another. In curbing gun violence, proper steps must be taken in order to elicit public awareness. Such steps in promoting gun awareness may not focus solely on gun control. Another solution discussed was gun owners need to be more responsible by knowing the difference of gun ownership and gun violence.
ANALYSIS OF SOURCES
Causes and Effects
The first known effect of gun violence in America is the probable misuse of parenting styles, which directly affect strict parenting and family values. The first parenting style is known as permissive parenting, wherein parents show compassionate feelings to their child and reluctance to impose discipline through strict efforts (Dewar, 2010). When a child can do anything in his power, there will be a notion that any action would be acceptable, regardless of the outcome. In some way, permissive parenting would likely be the cause and result of a violent action. The second parenting style is known as authoritative parenting, wherein parents show some “tough love” for their children by emphasizing on discipline. Authoritative parenting breeds a disciplined child, but it may elicit signs of negative emotion and aggression within a child (Chang et. al., 2003). Parent aggression could take its toll on a child, and could be the cause of anger and violence. The effects of poor parenting may not trigger gun violence right away, but it can significantly impact and effect on the child’s future violent-induced decisions.
The second cause of gun violence is exposure to elements depicting crime, hate, and gore. Regardless of the parenting style used, the exposure of children to images and signs of anger is inevitable. Numerous cases explaining both sides of pop culture as an element that triggers gun violence have been documented. One of the common tropes present in American pop culture is to justify violence, wherein the protagonist has to hurt and shoot the antagonist (Pevere, 2012). Another instance where pop culture fuels gun violence is that the depiction of gun ownership having a positive effect on the social status of a person (Bethell-Bennett, 2013). Pop culture usually depicts influential people, and most people from other demographics look up to these people. If they see an influential person holding a gun, then people may consider owning a gun, emulating that influential person in the process.
Solutions
In an attempt to curb instances of gun violation, advocates, researchers, and policymakers should continue their efforts in spreading awareness regarding the negative consequences correlated to gun ownership. Thus, a public health approach is needed to define the problem, identify factors, and develop prevention strategies in ensuring prevention of gun violence (Hemenway and Miller, 2013). Hemenway and Miller (2013) further suggested that creating good data systems through collection of significant information could highlight the problems, and another suggested approach would involve changing social norms. A similar approach by Mozzafarian, Hemenway, and Ludwig (2013) discusses the public approaches on solving tobacco-induced problems, but it relates to implementation of strategies on gun implementation. They further suggest that such distinction between ownership and violence is important in designing and implementing a coordinated public health strategy to reduce risks of gun-related tragedies (Mozzafarian, Hemenway, and Ludwig, 2013). Making the public aware about the horrors of using guns may have personal and psychological implications, but it is important to value that guns never solve existing problems and conflicts.
REFLECTIONS ON THE RESEARCH PROCESS AND OUTCOMES
Some of the known causes and effects of gun violence have been discussed thoroughly on this research paper. Parenting styles have different loopholes, and it could cause a child to use a gun for self-defensive purposes, to incite some form of fear and respect, and as a tool for raising self-confidence. Since styles have loopholes, it would be a good move if parents would be responsibility by taking it upon their children’s corresponding actions. People can be swayed by pop culture easily, and influential figures could be the sole reason why most people consider owning personal guns. Being influenced by pop culture is evident, but people are advised to exercise self-control when it comes to handling things correlated to violence.
Annotated Bibliography
Bethell-Bennett, Ian. "Is Popular Culture Fueling Gun Violence?" The Tribune. 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.tribune242.com/news/2013/feb/12/is-popular-culture- fueling-gun-violence/>.
Bethell-Bennett discusses the relationship of pop culture between gun culture, and how could it trigger gun violence. The author connects different links that are evident, and found out that popular culture influenced more violent behavior in teens because some see it as a normal and cool thing. The author points out the masculinity factor, which emphasizes that a man should have a strong posture when facing problems. People who are more exposed to popular culture are likely to act out what they have observed, but some are quick to point out some elements of violence. However, this lies on how adults care towards disciplining their children. While it is a useful source for finding opinions on pop culture’s impact to cognitive abilities, there is a clear objective presented on the opinion. There is a call-to-action, wherein the author emphasizes that parents must have a sense of responsibility and urgency in disciplining their child.
Chang, L., Schwartz, D., Dodge, K. A., & McBride-Chang, C. (2003). Harsh parenting in relation to child emotion regulation and aggression. Journal of family psychology, 17(4), 598.
Dewar, Gwen. "Permissive parenting: A parenting science guide to the research."
Hemenway, D., & Miller, M. (2013). Public health approach to the prevention of gun
violence. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(21), 2033-2035.
Mozaffarian, D., Hemenway, D., & Ludwig, D. S. (2013). Curbing gun violence: lessons from public health successes. JAMA, 309(6), 551-552.
Pevere, Geoff. "Pop Culture Isn't the Root of American Gun Culture – Its Own Myths Are." The Globe and Mail. 27 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/pop-culture-isnt-the-root-of-american-gun- culture-its-own-myths-are/article6752528/>.
Pevere discusses why pop culture is not the sole reason that gun culture and gun violence are prevalent within the cultural norms of American society. He takes the case of watching action movies as an example, where people are expecting tropes inducing violence. The author quoted an excerpt from Richard Slotkin’s book Gunfighter Nation, wherein America has been peculiarly a violent nation. He further quotes Slotkin, that when history turns into myth, then individuals and heroes could recreate social and historical complexities in action. The brand of violence has become one of America’s linchpins in the trend of globalization, and the world has patronized such kind of pop culture. The author could have made a stronger point if he simply implied the value of self-control in controlling the use of guns. After all, some might even have the notion that it is right to point a gun towards other people.
References
Bethell-Bennett, Ian. "Is Popular Culture Fueling Gun Violence?" The Tribune. 12 Feb. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.tribune242.com/news/2013/feb/12/is-popular-culture- fueling-gun-violence/>.
Chang, L., Schwartz, D., Dodge, K. A., & McBride-Chang, C. (2003). Harsh parenting in relation to child emotion regulation and aggression. Journal of family psychology, 17(4), 598.
Dewar, Gwen. "Permissive parenting: A parenting science guide to the research."
Hemenway, D., & Miller, M. (2013). Public health approach to the prevention of gun violence. New England Journal of Medicine, 368(21), 2033-2035.
Mozaffarian, D., Hemenway, D., & Ludwig, D. S. (2013). Curbing gun violence: lessons from public health successes. JAMA, 309(6), 551-552.
Pevere, Geoff. "Pop Culture Isn't the Root of American Gun Culture – Its Own Myths Are." The Globe and Mail. 27 Dec. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2014. <http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/pop-culture-isnt-the-root-of-american-gun- culture-its-own-myths-are/article6752528/>.
