There are several things that influence people to conform to certain rules, make certain choices, or even join certain clubs. Since the movie Fight Club was released in 1999 there have been several “fight clubs” forming and the influence of the movie Fight Club can be accredited for the sudden rise in the gatherings. These fight clubs consist of members who gather and watch a couple members fight until one wants to stop. This is supposed to be a way for the members to work out their frustrations and to help them feel better about themselves. The number one rule according to Fight Club is to never talk about the club, but the kids in the Northwest Area High School in Wilkes-Barre, Pa not only broke that rule but also posted the fights on the Internet (Guydish, 2010).
Fights have always taken place in high schools for one reason or another, but the difference with these kids is that these fights are not to settle a disagreement but are a way for them to entertain themselves. Fighting has been a form of entertainment for many years from boxing to the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but since the movie Fight Club, there have many kids who have fallen victim to the laws that are not detailed in the movie. Some kids have been charged with disorderly conduct and assault and these clubs are not isolated to particular school or district (McKenzie, 2009). Many participants believe that they are only hurting themselves when fighting but they are finding different when charges are being filed. Even though participants are willingly engaging in the fights, the charges are still being brought forth because of the manner in which they are being conducted.
The movie did not make the kids go out and form a fight club but it did present the idea the same as Million Dollar Baby and all the Rocky movies give ideas to kids to become a professional fighter. Movies are produced to provide entertainment to the popular culture the same as regulated fighting does, but the audience still has the choice of how they are going to allow the entertainment to affect their lives.
Works Cited
Guydish, M. (2010, February 9). The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Pa., Mark Guydish column: Rules of fight club: Don't talk, don't post. Retrieved July 28, 2010, from Newspaper Source database: http://0-search.ebscohost.com.olinkserver.franklin.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W61585907002&site=ehost-live
McKenzie, K. (2009, September 2). 31 students to be charged in Collierville High School 'fight club' case, Commercial Appeal, The (Memphis, TN). Retrieved July 28, 2010, from Newspaper Source database: http://0-search.ebscohost.com.olinkserver.franklin.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nfh&AN=2W62311327590&site=ehost-live
I watched the movie fight club and ended up turning it off. This type of club has been accepted into our culture and it will be difficult to get rid of it. We have accepted violence into our lives.
ReplyDeleteJulia,
ReplyDeleteI did not realize that fight clubs were such a popular item among teens and young adults. Maybe, it is because most clubs do honor that number one rule from the movie. I think it is despicable that violence in that manner is acceptable within our society and agree with Nicole that it will be difficult to get rid of in our society. Thanks for the insight and heads-up to keep an eye out for in raising my children.