Monkey-See Violence, Monkey-Do Violence
"Children's cartoons typically have on violent (physical force use against another person) act every three minutes. The average North American youngster will see several thousand murders on TV before reaching adolescence (Waters, 1993)." How do these two statements make you feel?
I have very mixed feelings about this topic. On the one hand, I do feel it is very important to limit horror and violence to young children who are not ready to process what it actually means. Though, on the other hand, a lot of what children see on the television actually happens in real life. Are we supposed to shelter our children so much so that they later have an unrealistic expectation of the world? If that is the case, then as soon as these children become adults and are on their own, they will have one big surprise coming to them (and not a good one).
Based on a study done by Huesmann & Miller in 1994, 8-year-old children who were exposed to extensive amounts of TV violence had the most extensive criminal records as 30-year-olds. This was found with both male and female, though higher for the boys than the girls. TV was originally created to be a "window of the world," but has turned into a monster full of nightmares and brain washing (my opinion) polluting peoples' minds--especially young children.
How do we draw the line between what is logically to show children, and what is not? The rating system for television was created as a tool to guide parents as to what is "age appropriate." Though, I think it's being ignored way too much. "G" is rated as "Guidance" and is generally good for all ages. "PG" is rated as "Parental Guidance," but even some PG movies have bullying portrayed in them, fighting or even death. The death may not be bloody in the PG film, but it's obvious what happened to the deceased. When "PG" was first announced by the rating system, they had suggested these are the types of movies that parents should sit-in on with their children and be available for explanation or further guidance. Though, nowadays, many parents sit their children in front of a television to be occupied and turn on any cartoon or show available, not really knowing what is being taught. TV is being used more as a convenience than a tool anymore.
When my son was 2 and 3 years old, he watched a lot of Thomas and Friends shows. I liked it, because it taught a lot about friendship and responsibility. Though, as I became a more busy parent, and did not have time to occupy my son, he soon started to mingle with his siblings and watch Star Wars. It was not until 2 years later, after he had been battling a very aggressive stage, that I realized where he learned all of these angry habits. He felt connected to the character, Anakin, so much so that he developed a depressed, bitter feeling towards people when they made him angry; his expressions became just like Anakin's when he was "turning to the dark side". The first time I saw this resemblance in expression, I thought, "Oh my God! What did I do?!"
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