Some people believe that violence on TV does not affect children in anyway, but after thirty years of research, researchers have proven otherwise. Thousands of studies have shown that children who watch violence on TV have aggressive attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors. Some are more affected than others and the effects are long-lasting and measurable. Children become desensitized to violence in real-life when they extensively watch violence on TV.
The effects come in different forms which include the following:
1. Children will see violence as an acceptable method to solve conflicts and is an acceptable behavior.
2. Constantly watching violence will make children desensitized to violence and real-life and will not help a victim of violence.
3. They will view the world as a violence place and will increase behaviors in self-protection and a mistrust in others.
4. By allowing Children to watch violence on TV, they will more likely commit violent acts in later in life.
Of course, watching TV is not the only factor why children become violent later in life, but nevertheless, it is a major factor.
About a year ago, Anthony Conley, a teenager in Indiana, had killed his younger brother by strangling him. On a Saturday night, when his parents were both out, he killed his little brother, stuffed him in the back of his car, and went to his girlfriend's house. Sometime the next day he dumped his brother's body in the park and went back home. When his parent asked him where his brother was, he said he was at his grandparent's home, which was normal. When he was told to bring him back home, he went to the police station and turned himself in. He then told the police that he stuffed his little brother into a plastic bag to make sure that "the blood did not go everywhere."
He likened his killing to a show on showtime called "Dexter." He identified with Dexter Morgan, the main character, who is a blood splatter analyst by day and a serial killer by night. He only kills people when he finds hard evidence to suggest that they have committed a murder. Police "described Conley as emotionless", which could be because he watched so much violence on "Dexter" and made him desensitized in real-life. Had he not watched so much violence, his brother might have lived and Connely would have been a more sensitive, caring person.
Parents need to screen what shows children watch in order for them to develop properly and have a clear understanding of what is right and wrong. They need a strong moral base, and constantly watching violence will not provide them with the proper morals. Children are highly impressionable and if we can show them what is wrong from the beginning, they can grow up to have a good heart.
Sources:
http://www.aap.org/advocacy/releases/jstmtevc.htm
http://abcnews.go.com/US/teen-enters-guilty-plea-dexter-inspired-killing/story?id=11624672#.TsqkKrJFu7s
Can we assume that an antisocial personality disorder, if that is what Conley's diagnosis might be, is the result of a biological predisposition and that environmental influences might not be the only cause for his action? How do we account for the myriad of people who watch the show with no negative effect?
ReplyDeleteTV was not the only factor in Conley killing his younger brother. He may have had a personality disorder as well, but watching violence on TV was enabling his violent behaviors, values, and beliefs. For those who show no negative effects, they could have had an upbringing where violence was strongly opposed, and when they watch it on TV they are not influenced by it. It could also be that they don't have any disorders that make them more likely to commit violent acts.
ReplyDeleteAs someone to lives in Chicago, I see more and more people see and do like there friends and parents do, not the TV. I see kids who parents have committed crimes or joined a gang do the same thing. I have seen kids whose parents stole, steal back.
ReplyDeleteI feel the parents and friends influence the child a lot more.
I understand that parents and children have a major influence over how children behave and what they believe in. However, I pointed out that watching TV is not the only factor that make people violent, it's just a major contributing factor.
ReplyDelete