The Influence of Movies on Education

            Almost any movie you watch portrays some kind of information to individuals whether it is good or bad.  Back in the late 1970’s, there was a release of a musical that portrayed what was “in” in the society that was geared toward young students.  The movie “Grease” was released in 1979 and was a favorite for many at that time and still is today.  If an individual were to watch the movie today, one might get the impression that the movie is saying that drinking, smoking, and a non caring attitude about school is being promoted.  That probably wasn’t the thought back then, but that probably was not a problem back then because that is what was “in.”  If you look at the world today, that is not the case.  Over those years, society has taken a tremendous turn around.

            Throughout the movie “Grease,” alcohol was being used several times.  During those days, they did not see drinking as a bad thing because everyone did it and there were not parents to stop them.  It was “in” back in those days and nothing was said to make them do otherwise.  If you look at society today, it is a whole different story.  Drinking is “in” but if caught under age, there are major consequences.  We were taught as children that drinking is bad and if being abused, then it could cause you or another person their life. Today we hear so many stories of people’s lives being taken because they were drinking and driving, lost control of the car and hit something that killed them instantly or they killed another person by crashing into them.  Also, we hear stories of people indulging and dying from too much alcohol in their bodies.  We often do not pay much attention to who these people are, but I would say that the majority of these people losing their lives are young students.  They were taught what was right and wrong but when you go to parties with your friend or even go off to college, all those lectures from your parents get put in the back of your mind and does not come back until it is too late.  In the movie “Grease,” they did not see this as a problem therefore it sends a message out to the media there it is ok when it is not.

            Also, in the movie “Grease” smoking is what I would call taken advantage of.  Almost every scene of the movie, smoking is taking place.  In one point of the movie, Sandy is even asked if she wants a cigarette and takes one.  What kind of influence is that putting on the world today?  I would have to say a lot of influence.  It is ridiculous today the number of young people that smoke.  You hear from the grape vine about smoking starting as early as middle school and in my opinion, that is wrong.  Like drinking, smoking is drilled into student’s minds in elementary school that it is bad and it could kill you.  When students get around their friends, it is a whole different story.  Mom or dad is not around to tell them what is right or wrong so they do it anyway.  The worst part about smoking is it is addictive.  Once you start smoking it is hard to stop and that is one of the things that makes smoking so bad.  It is not until the individuals see pictures about what it is doing to their insides do they regret what they have gotten themselves into and can’t get themselves out of because they are addicted.  The set for the movie is at a school, and most of this goes on at a school therefore today, most of the students start smoking at school.  Getting in with the wrong crowd can be a bad influence on an individual and more than likely, they will be with those friends for the rest of their lives to lead them in the wrong direction.  It is sad what students in middle school, high school, and even college get themselves into these days.  They do not even see what they are getting themselves into until sometimes it is too late which is the worst part about it!       

            Another major issue that could contribute to the bad influence on young individuals portrayed in the movie is a non caring attitude towards school itself.  A couple of scenes in the movie it shows the students in the classroom, but not participating in class or paying attention.  Those students lived for their friends and what was going on after school or on the weekend and did not care much about learning.   If you look at schools today, you might see that kind of trend.  From being a former student of grade schools, I have seen my share of students who just do not care and I am sure it is still that way now.  You are always hearing about students skipping school or sleeping in class because it still happens.  In my opinion, parents do not crack down on this issue like they do drinking and smoking but I think they should.  Students go to school to get an education, not to go out and have fun when you are supposed to be in class.  Sad enough to say, these students more than likely have parents that just do not care or it is not the parents at all, it is their peers and the parents have no clue.  This particular issue was shown in the movie “Grease” many, many times and could be a factor in the activities students choose to participate in even now.

                 All movies portray some kind of message to individuals and some individuals choose to act on it.  Movies are by no means bad, but they do sometimes send a message to students that things are okay like drinking, smoking and not caring, but they are really not okay.  Society is not going to stop making movies like “Grease” because they are fun and entertaining to watch, but parents and students are going to have to crack down on what is right and what is not.