Abstract
Violence has been a regular and popular component of media for as long as we have recorded literature. Similarly, efforts to condemn, control, regulate, or censor “offensive” media have been a regular component of popular discourse. This chapter tracks trends regarding the inclusion of violence in popular entertainment, as well as efforts by societal leaders to control media. Although violent content in media or popular entertainment varies somewhat from culture to culture, few are without substantial violence in popular entertainment. Interestingly, as mass media entered its golden age in the second half of the twentieth century, societal violence decreased overall. It is argued that understanding these past, historical trends is essential if we are to fully understand how society treats media in the modern era.
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Ferguson, C.J. (2013). A History of Violence in the Media. In: Adolescents, Crime, and the Media. Advancing Responsible Adolescent Development. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6741-0_2
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