Sometimes, TV and video games don't tell the whole story. Violent events occur, and then everyone seems to recover very quickly and live "happily ever after." What do you think would really happen in the following situations?
In a video game...
When you hit someone so they bleed, you get points and win the game.
In real life.....
On TV....
When you have a car chase, cars crash and sometimes explode. But no one ever goes back to remove the crashed cars or take care of injured people. Often those in the crash get out, and continue the chase on foot!
In real life.....
In a rock video....
Kids have a party and wreck the house. No one has to clean up the mess or pay for the damages.
In real life....
In a movie....
The hero can destroy property and kill people, but never has to go to jail or pay for what was destroyed. In fact, people still admire the hero even though this has happened.
In real life....
In a movie....
The hero gets shot, but keeps chasing the bad guy.
In real life....
Can you think of other examples?
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Adapted, with permission, from Beyond Blame, Challenging Violence in the Media by the Center for Media Literacy.
