Children Aggression From Violent Television Essay

Viewing violence encourages children to see other people as enemies rather as individuals with thoughts and feelings like themselves. Violent scenes less arouses children whom watch a lot of TV than those who only watch a little. They are less bothered by violence in general and less likely to see anything wrong with it. "For example, in several studies, children who watched a violent program instead of a non-violent one were less quick to intervene or to call for

When it comes to the topic of violent media, some of us would readily agree it’s a controversial subject as to whether kids should or shouldn’t be exposed to it. This is because many children who view violent media react negatively rather than not being affected at all. Where this agreement usually ends, however, is on the question of what effects does it have on children. Whereas some are convinced that it is a healthy alternative for kids to express themselves, others maintain that it causes kids to become more aggressive and contributes to juvenile crimes.

In the modern-day world, people are convinced that the Earth is plagued by mass shootings and other acts of violence because of violent media. Children and adolescents being exposed to violent media is deemed, by society, to be detrimental to their mental health. In Gerard Jones’ “Violent Media is Good for Kids,” he vindicates violent media. Exposing children to violent media through video games, comic books, and movies are beneficial to children in Jones’ claim. He believes that violent media creates opportunities for children and teaches children to overcome their fears in order to battle their own subconscious hurdles.

In fact, there has been many tests done that have proven that the kids that do watch violent shows, even if they appear to be harmless, will progressively have negative attitudes. And being disobedient and destructive will become normal for them. For example, young children learn from things that they see. If a child sees someone say thank you they may learn to be polite also, which means if they see people reacting in violent ways on television they may start to react the same way.

Many teenagers who are around my age have been born into and raised in a generation where violence is idolized in video games and in the media. Although parents monitor and guide their children, “[the] media is everywhere. TV, Internet, computer and video games all vie for our children's attention]” and often times are the sole free-time activity (American Academy of Pediatrics). As media monopolizes the adolescent generation, society has begun to look at the effects it may have especially material that promotes violence. Although much of this violence is fictional, it still been found that violence in the media has many negative effects on developing children and even grown adults ( CITATION NEEDED). Based on the research conducted on the effects of violence in the media, society and especially children should not be exposed to violence in video games and the media. This opinion is congruent with the Catholic Church.

Media Violence is definitely harmful to children as the exposure of media violence can desensitize children (age 6-12) to violence and in the real world; violence becomes enjoyable and does not result in apprehensiveness in the child. There have been several studies and experiments regarding the adverse effects of violence used in video games, television, as well as movies. With both preschool and school-aged children, studies have found that they are more likely to imitate the violence they see on screen if someone they see as a 'good guy ' is using the violence to solve a problem, especially if there are no realistic consequences for the violence. Examples are marvel comic characters such as Spiderman, The Hulk, Batman. These characters appear unhurt after smashing a building; this may lead to young adolescents thinking that violence will solve the problem. The relationship between media violence and children are positively related, if the media content contains violence, it will show in the behavior of the child eventually. Quantity is also another factor that plays an important role in influencing a child. Excessive TV watching in childhood (3+ hours a day) is associated with an increased risk of criminal convictions and anti-social behaviors in young adults. The main claim is to prove that media violence will affect a child’s behavior, using the research and experiments as evidence. One common reaction to television violence is fear, which has received a good deal

By the time a child reaches the age of one, they see about 200,000 acts of violence on television. (Nakaya, 3). The Media has been becoming more and more violent over the years. A poll in an issue of Times Magazine, from 2005, showed that 66 percent of Americans think that there is an abundant amount of graphic acts of violence on televisions (Nakaya, 18). People are exposed to thousands of acts of violence through video games, television, and movies. Many studies show that media violence increases violent behavior in in humans. Studies show, violent video games, and graphic television have physiological effects on children. The government has very few regulations on media violence. Some people believe the government shouldn’t limit content because others might be insulted by its material. Even though the government shouldn’t censor the media, Media violence is becoming a serious issue because it is becoming more violent, it makes people behave violently, and it has little regulations.

The researchers noticed real differences between the kids who watched the violent shows and those who watched nonviolent ones. According to Aletha Huston, Ph.D., ?children who watch the violent shows, even 'just funny' cartoons, were more likely to hit out at their playmates, argue, disobey class rules, leave tasks unfinished, and were less willing to wait for things than those who watched the nonviolent programs.? Findings from the laboratory are further supported by field studies, which have shown the long-range effects of televised violence. Leonard Eron, Ph.D., and his associates at the University of Illinois, found that children who watched many hours of TV violence when they were in elementary school tended to also show a ?higher level of aggressive behavior? when they became teenagers. By observing these youngsters until they were 30 years old, Dr. Eron found that the ones who ?had watched a lot of TV when they were eight years old were more likely to be arrested and prosecuted for criminal acts as adults?.

understanding that what they see on television is not reality. To them, the acts of

For many years, there has been an ongoing argument that claims that the violence watched in television programs has an effect on the type and amount of aggression children display. Researchers believe there is a correlation between childhood aggression and the degree of violence they view on television. Additionally, the way parents explain the violence children view has a direct influence on how children interpret and display aggression. The research discussed in this paper will explore the effects violent television programs play in the development of aggression in adolescents. The research is based on social learning theory. Anderson and Bushman (2012) define social learning theory as behavior that is learned through experience or by viewing others’ actions. This supports the research which proves that children are learning and displaying the violent actions they see when watching television programs and learning the violent behavior that they witness. Various peer reviewed academic journals study the effects of viewing violent television and the aggression it causes children. These journals review the results found in their studies and the statistics that explain the correlation that exists between violent television and aggression. It will also review journals that explain how children mimic the behavior they see. In addition, news articles are presented that show children’s aggressive actions and how they relate to a children viewing various forms of violent

some adults), however, do not always realize this is not the way difficult situations are handled in

Some watched cartoons that had many violent and aggressive acts; others watched shows that did not have any kind of violence. The researchers noticed real differences between the children who watched violent shows and those who watched non-violent shows. Children who watched the violent shows were more likely to argue, disobey, strike playmates, and become impatient ( ). Children’s minds are like sponges; they take in everything around them, and unless they are told something is not ok, they will believe that it is ok to do the example presented to them.

WWF were also found to be more violent in school as DuRant observed violence being

Not to mention all the food commercials. In today 's society, the television is used for

In the book Critique of Violence ,author Walter describes Violence as "The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, male development, or deprivation .The violence that is portrayed in the media has been debated for decades ,and it has rose a question about how does it influence the youth?. From movies to video games society has been accustom to seeing violence in their everyday entertainment. Since children are easy to be influence by their environment, it is safe to say that violence in the media can and will contribute to violent behavior.