Impact Of Television Violence On Youth Behavior example essay topic

I came up with a problem that concerns many parents. It seems as though violence plays a role in the lives of many people. Even innocent children are affected by the negative things that go on in the huge world we live in. Television violence is often overlooked because of its ability to retain children's attention. Countless mothers and fathers put their children in front of the television so they can have time to themselves. As a result, the kids are subjected to unnecessary media violence.

I feel as thought this violence has a great effect on the children's lives. The impact of television violence on youth behavior has been an issue for many years. Television stations and their executives tend to deny television's contribution to youth violence. Unfortunately, there is a direct correlation between television viewing and violence.

This provides one possible cause for the shocking rise in violence on Americas's chool campuses. Communications technology is expanding through the entire global community. Children everywhere are being born into a world of images and messages, which are largely separated from their home, school and spiritual lives. In society today storytellers are seldom parents, grandparents, teachers or the clergy; instead they are the handful of distant forces with something to sell. What is unique about the media industry is that in global and corporate domination they have become part of our culture as well as our identity.

Social scientists and child advocates have been exploring the effects of media for decades, yet it is only recently that the concern has generated a public debate. Disagreements concerning the effect of violence revealed in works of art and entertainment have resonated over the centuries. We must ask ourselves whether or not our versions of entertainment exhibits anymore violence then past forms of recreation, for example gladiatorial games or public hangings. The television is a powerful form of media. The effects of television violence on young, impressionable minds have been studied and reveal that television violence has some effect on youth behavior. Fortunately, government officials and television networks have taken steps to limit the amount of violence on TV.

They too have recognized the direct link between television viewing and violence. HAWKINS PG 2 In this paper I'm going to go back to some studies conducted, research their findings, and try to and explain how the results on television violence relate to our children's latest violent behavior. LITERATURE REVIEW We as Americans live in a nation where almost all households have at least one television set. Not only is the amount of television being viewed an issue but the content and the lack of parental overview also play an extreme role. In a year, the average child spends 900 hours in school and nearly 1,023 hours in front of a TV. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), kids in the United States watch about 4 hours of TV a day - even though the AAP guidelines say children older than 2 should watch no more than 1 to 2 hours a day of quality programming.

(Kids Health). What is even more astonishing that it is estimated that they will have witnessed 8,000 murders and more than 100,000 acts of violence by the time they leave elementary school. As technology improves and the amount of violent entertainment increases, images becoming more graphic and results in a more realistic portray of violence. Television viewing affects children of different ages in different ways. While children may spend many hours in front of a television set at an early age, the programming has little effect.

At the age of two a child will imitate the actions of the live model, example a parent more than a model on television. However by the age of three the child will begin to imitate the TV. characters. The attitudes toward television drastically change over a child's life. When researching the effects of television various points need to be taken into consideration, certain issues affect people in different ways, for example pornography.

However, most parents do not realize that whether aggression is presented in a realistic way or in a cartoon, it makes no difference to a child who has a difficult time differentiating between the two. Though there has always been crime and violence never have there been such extreme acts, as the few which have been committed in the recent years. One very well HAWKINS PG. 3 known instance was the brutal death of James Bulger a British toddler. The movie Child's Play 3 was under debate when two ten-year old boys tormented and murdered the child. The Film was then criticized when Suzanne Capper was kidnapped, tortured and set on fire as the group of young acquaintances chanted: 'I'm Chucky. Wanna play?' Another incident was the Columbine massacre.

If you want to talk about something that hits closer to home, we " ll discuss all the school violence in New Orleans. On September 26, 2000, two students were wounded with the same gun during a fight at Woodson Middle School. On April 14, 2003, one 15- year old was killed and three students wounded at John McDonald High School by gunfire from four teenagers, the motive being gang related. On March 17, 2005, a suspect produced a gun and fired several rounds, striking a 15-year-old male in the right thigh. This incident occurred at O. Perry Walker High School. After such an event there is always an increase in certain emotions within the community.

For example fewer teens feel safe in schools today than shortly after the Columbine killings. Nearly one third of all teens say they have witnessed a violent act at school. Exposure to violence is not believed to increase aggression, but being aggressive increases preference for violent television. Children observe what is considered novel aggressive behavior and learn vicariously that aggressive acts are rewarded.

The more the child can relate to the characters in the program the more likely they will be to emulate the characters actions. Not only do the actions of a child reflect the programs viewed but watching a violent program causes desensitization. There is a widespread agreement that television habits can be harmful. Psychologically speaking the effects can be devastating. A 1993 report by the American Psychological Association stated: Viewing violence increases fear of becoming a victim of violence, with an increase in self- protective behavior and an increase in mistrust, viewing violence increases desensitization to violence, resulting in rough attitudes toward HAWKINS PG. 4 violence. violent programming increases the viewer's appetite for becoming involved or exposing themselves to violence. LITERATURE REVIEW II There have been two well known theories which have been stated in relationship to the effects of violence.

The 'Cathar is Hypothesis' was developed by Feshbach and Singer. This theory says that by viewing violent programming the individual is able to release previously built up tension anger. This theory explains why people take pleasure in viewing brutal violent acts, though they never would commit such actions they view it as to test their reaction to mortal danger without actual risk. Another theory which is widely accepted is the one developed by Percy Tannenbaum and Leonard Berkowitz.

The 'Stimulating Effect', states that exaggerated violence and an increase in emotional arousal cause and aggressive behavior, and the presence of weapons will heighten arousal. Though both theories are widely acknowledged, researchers tend to agree with the later of the two. There have been other studies that also demonstrate the effects of violence on youth. For example, a study by A ACAP found that as a result of TV violence, children may: become immune to the horror of violence; gradually accept violence as a way to solve problems; imitate violence they observe on television; and identify with certain characters, victims, or victimizer's. As a member of The Children's Broadcast Institute, Toronto child psychiatrist Dr. Arnette Lefebrve was actively crusading against the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a show which was eventually taken off the air; but not necessarily due to violent content. She found following examples of the impact the show had on younger viewers.

A six-year-old boy wearing a turtle costume stabbed a friend in the arm for not returning a borrowed toy; a three-year- old boy picked up the family cat and swung it around his head like a turtle hero wielding a weapon. These studies are not HAWKINS PG. 5 without controversy, but are enough evidence to convince some researchers that there is an effect of early violence viewing on later aggressive behavior". A relationship has been established between youth violence and television violence. Now we must ask how we can reduce the impact of violence on television. The easiest way would be through parental limitation of their children's television viewing. Parents can limit television viewing by reducing the number of hours children are allowed to watch.

This will limit the number of violent acts they see. This will also free up more time for more beneficial activities such as reading, socializing, playing sports or developing other hobbies. Unfortunately most parents work outside the home, and since no one is home to enforce the limited viewing, some children will not follow. In 1996, President Clinton signed a Telecommunications Act into law. This act required any television thirteen inches or larger to contain a V-Chip. This chip allows parents to block material that the Parental Advisory System (PAS) considers inappropriate for children.

The PAS sorts television programs into groups according to their amount of violence, foul language, and sexuality. This technology was designed to enable you to block television programs and movies you don't want your child to see. All new TV sets that have screens of 13' or more now had internal V-chips, but set-top boxes are available for TVs made before 2000. So how exactly does the V-chip work? It allows you to program your TV to display only the appropriately-rated shows - blocking out any other, more mature shows In April 1995, the Federal Communications Commission announced a rule making procedure (FCC 1995) that would enhance the implementation of the Children's Television Act of 1990.

In the proposed rules, broadcasters would be required to air three hours of educational programming for children each week. Increasing the number of educational shows will improve the quality of education our children receive from television. Children's shows like the Teletubbies, Mr. Rogers, or Sesame Street improve children's social skills and do not surround them with violent images. It is still too early to assess the impact on youth behavior.

I believe more television stations are attempting HAWKINS PG. 6 to limit violent programming. The number of nonviolent programs has increased over the last four years; but many violent programs still exist. Programs, such as the Power Rangers, still amuse our children with various violent acts. Fortunately programs, like Arthur, The Big Comfy Couch, Wishbone, and Blues' Clues, have been on the increase and have taken over many of the early morning time slots.

The FCC's ruling has helped station operators realize the problem and take steps to improve children's programming. PERSONNEL ANALYSIS. Exposure to television violence is an important factor in aggressive behavior in children. Take cartoons for example. Children of all ages love to watch cartoons. In many cartoons, the main plot is for the good guys to destroy the bad guys.

Look at such cartoons as Batman, Power Rangers, and Xmen. In each of these cartoons, violence occurs in every single episode. Young children view these cartoons and see the violence in every single episode. After seeing this on TV, they feel that it is all right to go out and reenact what they saw on television. Granted it would probably be almost impossible to eliminate violence from these programs, a line must be drawn to let children know that what they are viewing is not a part of reality. I wake up to the radio, eat breakfast to the TV, drive to school to the radio, use computers for schoolwork, and read magazines and watch TV before bed, the media is always there.

I definitely think that the media affects kids in this culture. For example, what people wear and how people want to look. And it especially influences girls who want to be like T.V. stars, they definitely want to look like the models that they see, whether it's wanting to wear the same clothes or wanting to be 5'10' and 120 lbs. It influences the way I speak, the words I use, the clothes I wear, and the food I eat. I see people in the movies and want the life they lead. I see clothing advertisements and want HAWKINS PG. 7 the clothes I see.

I want to eat the food on TV because it looks so good and "comes as the complete breakfast". CONCLUSION There are many practical ways you can make TV viewing more productive in your home. Limit the number of TV-watching hours: Stock the room in which you have your TV with plenty of other non-screen entertainment, books, kids' magazines, toys, puzzles, board games to encourage your child to do something other than watch the tube. Keep TVs out of your child's bedroom. Turn the TV off during meals.

Don't allow your child to watch TV while doing homework. Treat TV as a privilege that your child needs to earn - not a right to which he or she is entitled. Tell your child that TV-viewing is allowed only after chores and homework is completed. Set a good example by limiting your own television viewing. Check the TV listings and program reviews ahead of time for programs your family can watch together. Preview programs before your child watches them.

Come up with a family TV schedule that you all agree upon each week. Then, post the schedule in a visible area like on the refrigerator or somewhere around the house so that everyone knows which programs are ok to watch and when. And make sure to turn off the TV when the scheduled program is over, instead of channel surfing until something gets your or your child's interest. Watch TV with your child, if you can't sit through the whole program, at least watch the first few minutes to assess the tone and appropriateness, and then check in throughout the show. Talk to your child about what he or she sees on TV and share your own beliefs and values.

If something you don't approve of appears on the screen, you can turn off the TV, then use the opportunity to ask your child thought-provoking questions such as, 'Do you think it was OK when those men got in that fight? What else could they have done? What would you have done?' Or, 'What do you think about how those teenagers were acting at that party? Do you think what they were doing was wrong?' If certain people or characters are mistreated or discriminated against, talk about why it's important to treat everyone equal. You can use TV to explain confusing situations and express your feelings about difficult topics like sex, love, drugs, HAWKINS PG. 8 alcohol, smoking, work, behavior, family life. Teach your child to question and learn from what he or she views on TV.

Talk to other parents, your child's doctor, and your child's teachers about their TV-watching policies and kid-friendly programs they'd recommend. Offer fun alternatives to television. If your child wants to watch TV, but you want him or her to turn off the tube, suggest that you and your child play a board game, start a game of hide and seek, play outside, read, work on crafts or hobbies, or listen and dance to music. Something needs to be done to keep innocent children exactly what they are, innocent.

Parents have to realize that putting their kids in front of a television can be causing more harm than they think. They need to regulate what their children watch. When the clock strikes 9: 00, very small children should not even have access to the channel changer. Programs after this time are targeted at an older, more mature audience. Kids over 10 can still watch TV after nine o'clock, but they too should be monitored. Statistics show that almost 95% of all shows' plots are about sex and violence.

These topics are not appropriate for individuals under 14 or 15. Even at those ages, discretion should be used. Almost every channel "rates" their shows before they begin by flashing an age on the bottom of the screen. If parents would take the extra time to check out what they put their kids in front of, they could avoid further problems. After all, kids of the present time will be running this world in the future. HAWKINS PG. 9

Bibliography

1. Chidley, Joe (1996).
Toxic TV". Maclean"s, vs. 109, n 25, pg. 36 (6) 2. Gerbner, George (1996) "TV Violence and what to do about it".
Nieman Reports, vs. 50, N 3, pg. 10 (3) HAWKINS PG. 10 APPENDIX Television violence according to many psychologists, can lead to heightened aggression in people today. "Research shows that children who watch a lot of violence can become desensitized to real-world violence and less empathetic to the pain and suffering of others" (Chidley, 1996, 3).
As children watch increased levels of violence on television they develop sort of a mean world syndrome. This leads the children to perceive the world as much more cruel and sinister than it really is. Many children might grow up being afraid of the world because of the violence that they see in the many hours that they spend watching television. This does not only have an effect on children, but also on the adults and the elderly. Adults and elderly people are becoming more and more afraid for their lives as violence in our culture increases. They are not used to these high levels of violence like is seen every day now. They are still adjusting to the fact that television has much more violence than it has ever had before. Surveys show that heavy viewers are more likely than comparable groups of light viewers to over-estimate their chances of involvement in violence, to believe that their neighborhoods are unsafe, to state that crime is a very serious personal problem and to assume that crime is rising, regardless of the facts of the case (Gerbner, 1996, 3).