How we interpret social phenomena often depends on how we see them depicted in the media. Whether understood through television, cinema, music or advertisements, much of what we believe is influenced by the messages we consume.
Most of the time, this is not a bad thing. The media is a tremendous tool capable of teaching us about common decency, personal triumph and human capacity. Other times, however, the media invites us to consume ideas that are both erroneous and detrimental.
Domestic violence as depicted by the media is a prime example of this. Although it is a very real and difficult problem people on this campus face, the media often trivializes the issue. This can be done by sexualizing and making light of this crime, ultimately leading to society’s desensitization to the issue.
Shows like “Family Guy” and “South Park” are successful because they take typical situations and make them hysterical. That said, a line is crossed when the butt of the joke is a horror countless people live with on a daily basis.
Furthermore, shows often depict domestic violence as a burden only faced by people of lower socioeconomic statuses or lower education levels. Oftentimes, these depictions spotlight “white trash” or African-American families, an inherently racist implication. Adding insult to injury, this both trivializes the issue while advancing stereotypes around it. Domestic violence is a plight faced by people in all walks of life, regardless of gender, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, race, age or socioeconomic status.
What’s perhaps even more revolting is when violence is depicted as sexy, something inherent in a relationship that makes situations hotter or more desirable. In Maroon 5’s music video for “Misery,” a traditionally attractive woman is shown beating Adam Levine, threatening him with a knife and pushing him off a balcony, among other violent acts.
Still, the depiction is meant to be arousing, and Levine appears to be – at the very least – passively accepting her behavior. This instills in the audience that violence is both accepted and hot, when in reality it is an unwelcome and sometimes life-threatening dilemma many people face. To portray it otherwise is dangerous to society’s understanding of a profoundly widespread problem.
It is important to note that the media is not the cause of domestic violence. What makes media so powerful today is that it is interactive. When we see a funny joke on our favorite television show, we share it with a friend, who shares it with his or her friend, ultimately spreading what can be a trivializing concept. If we see a misrepresentation of domestic violence in the media, we carry that with us, building assumptions about the issue based on how we’ve observed it in movies or online.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and thus the perfect time to reflect upon the messages we consume and their effects. We might not be the actual perpetrators of violence, but that does not mean we are not contributing to a culture that encourages or minimizes it.
Challenge yourself to become more conscious of the ways media can minimize, trivialize or make light of the very serious and real issue of domestic violence. By doing so, we will see our violent culture diminish.
Would you like to discuss this issue further? Come to PAVE’s Domestic Violence in the Media workshop on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Vilas 4008. Questions? Email [email protected].
Are you currently in a violent relationship? Help is available. Contact Domestic Abuse Intervention Services at their 24-hour help line at (608) 251-4445 or email them at [email protected].
Jaqueline O’Reilly ([email protected]) is a senior majoring in journalism and political science. She is a PAVE Media Advocate.
