Do you think that seeing people use drugs on television or in movies makes it seem cool for viewers to try it?

Question

Have you ever tried a drug or specific drink that you saw someone do on television or in films?

i.e. Have any of you females answering this question ever tried a "Cosmo" after seeing the women of "Sex in the City" drinking them?

Has anyone seen John Travolta doing Heroin in "Pulp Fiction" and thought it looked cool (when he is driving in the convertible after and seems all relaxed and mellow)? Have any of you thought that you might be more prone to try heroin because of seeing this scene in Pulp Fiction?

Do any girls/women think that it is funny when the women of "Absolutely Fabulous" drink and pop pills? Does the humor you see in this make you think that drinking and taking pills might not be as dangerous as people have always told you it is? How about "Karen" on "Will and Grace"?

This is a poll that I am taking for a project I am working on. I appreciate any answers you can give. I will NOT use your names, screen names or ANY personal identifying information in this venture.

Answer 1

Movies and television have never affected me that way. I don't think using drugs or alcohol is "cool" I think it's stupid.

Answer 2

Some movies and TV dramas also show people dying from drug ODs or alcohol poisoning--so it's uncool, depending on what you watch.

No, if you were raised right (or have raised your kids right) the drug use won't seem cool. It can be funny if the movie or show is a comedy, or sad if it's a drama. Except for a Cheech and Chong movie--you rarely even see weed--and that's still everywhere.

It is hard to believe that they hardly show any more people smoking cigarettes and drinking booze any more. Especially for me, as when growing up everybody did these things regularly.

Answer 3

Well. I'm long past the point (if I ever was at it) where the media can influence my feelings and behavior to any great extent.

Or perhaps I'm fooling myself....

In any case, I do not find drug use amusing. I'm pretty puritan on that point (in spite of my delightfully sinful past).

However, the media does play a huge role in our lives. It colors our perceptions of things. So although my answer to your specific question is no, you'd better believe that our opinions are colored by what we see on TV. Whether or not we realize it.

Look at the subject of smoking. Back in the day, it was accepted. There were a few who were adamant about not wanting people to smoke around them. But look at the stigma that is now associated with it. THAT came from commercials. Oh, not totally, but those obnoxious ads have definitely played a part.

Answer 4

I think that your mindset comes first, and the shows you watch and things you do are both based on your headset. For instance, people who would never do drugs would find the John Travolta scene very offensive, it wouldn't make them see drugs in a new light. If you thought that scene was cool, you already had the headset that drugs are acceptable. Same with sex and the city. Nondrinkers would think those girls are pitiful, they wouldn't be influinced by that behavior.

Answer 5

It can be depicted in many ways from Cheech and Chong laughing it up to Gia dying from aids due to needle use, so I guess it depends on the film.

Answer 6

No, they show killers on tv and in movies really enjoying what they are doing too. Most people can separate movies from reality, but what about the few that can't?