TV Violence on Children the Research Paper

Total Length: 2062 words ( 7 double-spaced pages)

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In contrast, TV influences children in abandoning the theories they were taught and embrace other concepts, most related to violence. Also, after being exposed to TV violence children feel that it is perfectly natural for them to behave similar to the characters on TV (Langone, 1984, p. 48).

It is extremely important for a child to be assisted by an adult when watching TV. Studies have shown that children are influenced by the way adults perceive TV programs, meaning that a child is likely to gain a better understanding of right and wrong when he or she is supported by a mature individual. Even with that, TV violence can negatively influence children, as they will merely hide their aggression in the cases when they are assisted by an adult who disapproves of violent behavior in watching TV (Langone, 1984, p. 56).

Children are generally willing to do anything in ordered to be rewarded with objects or behavior they consider to be beneficial for them. Thus, consequent to seeing that a character in a cartoon or in a movie is rewarded for the immoralities he or she committed, children are likely to express a desire to behave similarly, in hope they will get benefits from this exploit. Media violence is likely to produce harmful effects in children, as it has long-term consequences in some (Hoffman, 1996, p. 66).

Society has experienced great changes along with the appearance of TV. A large number of individuals dedicated their time toward finding more information regarding TV and the effect that it has on people.

It is not surprising that children get a false understanding of the concept of violence, given that their early years are filled with cartoons showing characters being subjected to physical violence and walking away unharmed.
It is absolutely natural for children to want to imitate everything they see and when their tutors are either unable or unwilling to provide them with a beneficial education, they will get all their education from their TV sets.

The characters in cartoons or children's TV shows who commit immoralities end up without being punished or with receiving a minor punishment for their crimes. This influences children in thinking that they will receive a minor punishment or no penalization at all if they act immorally.

If the character they identify with is shown as being good even in the situations when he or she behaves violently, children understand that it is not wrong to be violent when this is done with the purpose of doing right. In spite of the fact that a great deal of individuals claim that TV violence does not desensitize children, matters are very different. As a result of watching an evil cartoon character being killed by a good hero and the latter joking and laughing about it, children are expected to feel that the former's life is of little value and that some people's lives are more important than others'.

Works cited:

1. Barker, M. & Petley, J. (2001). Ill Effects: The Media/Violence Debate. New York: Routledge.

2. Hoffman, A.M. (1996) Schools, Violence, and Society. Westport, CT: Praeger.

3. Josephson, W.L. (1995). "Television Violence: A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages." Retrieved August 16, 2010, from the Media Awareness Network Web site: http://www.media-awareness.ca/english/resources/research_documents/reports/violence/tv_violence_child.cfm

4. Langone, J. (1984). Violence!: Our Fastest-Growing Public Health….....

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