THE EFFECTS OF PORNOGRAPHIC FILMS ON NIGERIA YOUTHS
ABSTRACT
Pornographic materials are the representation of erotic behaviors in books, pictures, statues, motion pictures etc. that is intended to cause sexual excitement. The effect of pornographic films on Nigeria youths was embarked upon with the intention of establishing the impression of youth exposures. It is apparent that youths exposure to pornographic films will have negative effect on them. Here lies the objective of our research which seeks to find out why youths watch pornographic films and the extent to which these youths practice behaviors acquired from viewing pornographic films The survey research methodology was in use because the study in question involved the kind of population that would be too large to be observed directly, this method helped us in finding out that exposure to pornographic films affects the psychological state of a person and can influence such a person to participate in or practicalize what is being watched. Also realize was the fact that sexual crimes and abuses meted out by youths in our society today is very much attributed to their exposure to pornographic films. In conclusion youths are the lewdest of tomorrow as such should be emotionally and psychological; balanced. Youth should therefore not indulge in watching pornographic film because the consequences which is negative, will surely tell on them.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROND OF THE STUDY
This study “The effects of pornographic materials on youths” aim at identifying the influences of pornographic materials on the youth, with particular emphasis on the youth in two Nigeria Tertiary institutions. The study will be able to ascertain whether the widely held view that pornographic materials do not have adverse effect on the moral and behavior of youths is true or not. However, this study will narrowed down to pornographic films only. In view of the foregoing films began in the minds of people who came long before the film pioneers themselves. In attempt to capture and recreate motion can be traced too when civilization began, the care drawing which showed a horse with eight legs the fleeting arrow from a hunter’s bow and even carefully detailed drawing of kings with one foot outstretched to suggest or walking motion. Bither j.r (1989) said that history Is somewhat not clear as who deserved glory of inventing still motion pictures, but that Willam Dickson and Thomas Edison were associated with the effects to move.
The earliest forms of pornographic film were seen in France during the 1920s. the development in France brought about fun and all sorts of condemnation from the public. For instance Dellu cinema practitioner and also a French man said that the exhibition of such pornographic films contributed to melancholy fatal condition social and other negative attitude among the people. Down here in Nigeria, pornographic films started pervading our country in the late sixties and became more rampant in the early seventies. Today pornographic films have become so prevalent that access to them is with reckless abandon. “Film” according to Black Africa greatest film producer Ousmance senibene is tool or communicator of social change and culture” he went further to stress that “A film is but a driving belt, a vehicle that convey an idea and by this we will see that communication knowledge and ideas help people make their own decisions about the environment they live in. more so, film is categorized under mass media.
Therefore, associated with the enormous influence of the mass media. To buttress this, Walter Lippman (1922) also said that the media do not only tell the people what to think but also what to think about. That is to say the media shapes the picture in our heads. Inferentially, there is no consensus of opinion on the power and capabilities of pornographic films or media to propagate sexual abuse, crime, violence etc. among youths by way of projecting such message to them. The stand which one takes on this issue depends on individual perception and indeed prepositions towards the controversial topic. But the air of this research is to investigate this issue scientifically keeping emotion aloof. That is to find out if there is any relationship between youths exposure to media portrayals of pornographic film and sexual pervasion / abuse among the youth.
1.2 STATEMENT OF RESEARCH PROBELMS
Undoubtedly social scientists who are interested in the study of mass media particularly films effects have been involved in the effects to find out the relationship between media and anti-social behaviors like crime, violence, sexual pervasion, abuse, rape. There has been series of researches and counter researches which shows that audio-visual media can be described as an all powerful all pervasive and all manipulative medium capable of producing the most vociferous outburst through the portrayal of pornography, violence and other immoral acts thus Therefore this project is geared towards ascertaining if sexual crimes pervasion and abused among the youths could be attributed to their exposure to pornographic films.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
This study is aimed at the following
· To find out the various reasons why youths watch pornographic films
· To determine the extent to which the youths respond or practice behaviors acquired form viewing pornographic films
· To proffer useful suggestion and recommendations in this area of study.
1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The study in question is very important to the Nigeria society especially now that we witness all sort of negativity tendencies among our youth. Therefore, the researcher hold the view that there do exist significant effect of pornographic films on youths. The significance of this study therefore is as follows.
. To examine how pornography films negatively affect the youth so that the government and society at large can control and eradicate them.
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