Influence Of Hollywood Films On The Cultural Values Of Nigerian Youths

Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

The mass media exert great persuasive effects on the thoughts and behaviors, by encouraging people into new lifestyle patterns, fashion, etc. Among all media, films play a major role in affecting the thinking pattern of the society (Evra, 1990).

Films also referred to as motion pictures, involves projecting a series of images into the screen to create an illusion of motion. It is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, enabling people to immerse in an imaginary world for a short period (Olaleye, 2007).

In recent times, subtitles that translate different languages have increased appeal of films, especially those from foreign cultures. Subtitles give the audience the opportunity to watch films that were not produced in their primary language. This innovation therefore created room for rapid spread of films from their country of origin to other countries, in which Nigeria is not an exception. Today in Nigeria, films made in Hollywood USA, France, India, China, etc. are always in high demand.

Our present Nigeria society now has a Europeanized look. Our youths now strive to talk, walk, behave, eat, and dress exactly like characters in foreign films, to the detriment and abandonment of our indigenous cultures.

The effects of movies can be traced back to the late 1920s. At that time, the earliest coordinated social scientific research or investigation into the impact of these effects began in the Western countries. It was intended at studying the harmful impacts of movies on societies. The development of this medium as a common mass entertainment and information source during the 1950s encountered similar concerns about potential harms, especially in connection with young audiences (Gunter, 2004). Nowadays, in this modern era, many concerns have been raised about the kinds of values and attitudes that may be inculcated by exposure to certain kinds of media contents, especially enculturation and violence in movies (Kubey & Larson, 2005).

In recent times, subtitles that translate different languages have increased appeal of films, especially those from foreign cultures. Subtitles give the audience the opportunity to watch films that were not produced in their primary language. This innovation therefore created room for rapid spread of films from their country of origin to other countries, in which Nigeria is not an exception. Today in Nigeria, films made in Hollywood USA, France, India, China, etc. are always in high demand. Recently, foreign movies and TV shows are stealing the limelight and is becoming a major player in influencing students’ behaviour and character disposition. Foreign movies today involve a lot of violent scenes, from new ways on how to fight an enemy, to new ways on how to kill a person using some new weapon. They learn all about revolvers and knives from movies, and this in turn gets them curious; curious enough that they buy them and try it out in school on other students and even their teachers (Williams, 2009)

Students and youths are gradually losing their morality because of violent and romantic, satanic and evil scenes showed in foreign films. For these students who have been doing violent activity, moral values are but a small piece of their curriculum at school and pay less attention to it. For them, it is more interesting and worthwhile to watch foreign films and their violent, sexual and evil satanic sequences. These students believe that if they exhibit acts of violence and romantic stance in school they will become famous and everybody will know them. It is a fact that it gets their names known and gives them the fame they want, but it is also enough to ruin their entire future and their life. Taking this into consideration, parents and schools are enjoined to work together and take serious steps and actions to stop these violent outbursts of exhibition. The learning environments which a student is exposed to are also assumed to contribute to the increase of aggressive behaviors and attitudes as well as his inclinations to customs, values and norms of the society (Bernard, 2012).

The media, as one of the specific learning condition is believed to be a potential contributor to the growth of antisocial attitudes and behavior in students and teenagers. While social scientists work on determining the major causation of violence, such as social environments, cultural factors, family instruction, and group membership parents, teachers, politicians and school administrators continue to blame the media for increased cultural alienation and attitudinal change among adolescents (Fraser & Staub, 2006).

The mass media exert great persuasive effects on the thoughts and behaviours, by encouraging people especially students and young people into new lifestyle patterns, fashion, etc. Among all media, films play a major role in affecting the thinking pattern of the society (Evra, 1990). Films also referred to as motion pictures, involves projecting a series of images into the screen to create an illusion of motion. It is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, enabling people to immerse in an imaginary world for a short period (Olaleye, 2007). The influence of hollywood films has not been in question, however, the type of influence, that is whether it is negative or positive has been the question in the front burner of recent studies in that area. This is exactly what brought about this research work, and it is to examine the influence of Hollywood films on the moral values of Nigerian youths.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

The mass media exert great persuasive effects on the thoughts and behaviors of people by introducing them into new lifestyle patterns, fashion, etc. Among all media, films play a major role in affecting the thinking pattern of the society. The largest sampling of contents of foreign films carried out by Harvard Medical School, reveals a disturbing amount of violence as well as unrealistic views of racial and sexual relationships. In another research carried out by Olaleye Victoria (2007), it was discovered that youths are greatly exposed to foreign films. This entails that the behavioral disposition of students, especially the undergraduate students are really at stake. Most violent, absurd, sensual and annoying behaviors exhibited by undergraduate students are claimed to have been copied from foreign films. However, some schools of thoughts claim this is not true. Hence, there is a conflict on whether foreign films negatively or positively influence the behavior of students/youths.

The largest sampling of contents of foreign films carried out by Harvard Medical School, reveals a disturbing amount of violence as well as unrealistic views of racial and sexual relationships. In another research carried out by Olaleye Victoria (2007), it was discovered that youths are greatly exposed to foreign films. To this end, this research seeks to validate that claim and find out how these films affect the moral values of Nigerian youths, using Ivo Local Government as study.

1.3. Objective of the Study

To find out if the youths watch Hollywood filmsi.

To find out if Hollywood films shape the attitudes, behaviors and general lifestyle of the youth

To find out if the youths accept and practice American cultures and values, that they are exposed to through Hollywood films.

To find out ways through which the youths cut down exposure to Hollywood films

1.4. Research Questions

How many of the youths watch Hollywood films?

Do Hollywood films shape the attitudes, behaviors and general lifestyle of the youths?

Do the youths accept and practice the American cultures and values that they are exposed to through Hollywood films?

What are the ways through which the youth cut down exposure to Hollywood films?

1.5 Hypothesis of the Study

The study formulated the following hypothesis

Ho: Hollywood films have no significant effect on the cultural values of Nigerian youths

H1: Hollywood films have a significant effect on the cultural values of Nigerian youths

1.6. Significance of the Study

The significance of this study lies in that fact that it will intimate youths of the inherent consequences of the films they watch, Hollywood films to be specific. It will also be significant to anybody studying youth behaviors and maladjustment, by providing a background on the origin of certain attitudes and behaviors that Nigerian youth engage in.

This occupies a strategic place of relevance given that it will go a long way to reveal the influence of hollywood movies on the behavioural disposition of youths in Ivo local government area. The significance of a research work is expressed in its importance and benefits. This research is considered important given to the fact that it will be of high relevance to media houses. The media houses will find the findings of this study relevant as it will introduce some reforms in the airing of foreign films. The findings of this study will also enlighten students as it will expand their horizon on the issue of foreign films and its influence o students. The general public will also find this research relevant as it will educate them on the subject matter. Finally, this research will be an addition to the existing stock of knowledge.

1.7 Scope of the Study

The subject scope of this study is to examine the influence of hollywood films on the cultural values of nigerian youths (a case study of Ivo local government). This clearly shows that the study is restricted to the youths in Ivo local government.

1.8 Limitation of the Study

In the course of carrying out this study, the researcher experienced some constraints, which included time constraints, financial constraints, language barriers, and the attitude of the respondents. However, the researcher were able to manage these just to ensure the success of this study.

1.9 Definition of Terms

Influence:

This the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects on the actions, behaviors or opinions of others.

Pattern:

This is the way in which a person performs his/her activities or functions in life. It can also be seen as the repeated or regular way in which something happens or is done like in dressing in a peculiar manner.

Moral Values:

Moral values are the standards of good and evil, which govern an individual’s behavior and choices. Individual’s morals may derive form society and government, religion, or self.

Hollywood Films:

Hollywood is a district in Los Angeles, California. It has long been a film and an entertainment center, in the USA. Hollywood films are films or movies produced in America or films produced y American film producers.

1.10 Organization of the Study

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows.

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study.

Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature.

Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study.

Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.

Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study.