Parents Television Violence example essay topic

Audience: Parents Television Violence went to pick up my daughter from preschool today only to find out that she punched a little girl. She also kicked the teacher. I sat down with her and asked her why she hurt them. She said, 'I didn't hurt them I was using my powers. ' I wondered where she might be getting the idea that she had powers, and that it didn't hurt anyone when she used those powers. I thought back to the last few nights.

The only different thing in her life was the new show Power Puff Girls. It was then I realized that this new cartoon show she had been watching at home just might be the cause. Children learn behavior through examples. Television is a major influence.

One area of concern is the violent content in children's television and their access to other inappropriate programming. The government has the ability to rule and regulate stations both nationally and locally. Exposure to violence on television can affect the way children behave toward their environment. This creates an additional responsibility for parents and teachers to not only protect children from violence but to also teach children to resist violence. Because of the negative influence of violent television programming for children, and their easy access to other violent programs; the government, teachers, and parents need to educate and protect children against violence. Thanks to technology, we have many more opportunities available to us.

This expands the world of education to many who would otherwise not have it. However, this advance of technology has also allowed our children to be exposed to inappropriate programming on television. The violent content is not only on regular programs that children are allowed to view, but it is also a main theme in shows geared to young children, especially in cartoons. I asked Jean Cobb, a Child Care Provider at The Children's Center, 'What type of programming has the most violent influence and why?' She said, 'Cartoons have always been around but the violence hasn't been brought to our attention until recently. There aren't many cartoons that don't have violence. ' Children learn a lot of their behavior through the examples set on television.

These behaviors appear while interacting with other children. I have observed children fight, hit, bite, spit and use many mean words to other children. The same behavior is commonplace on children's programming. This can cause problems and conflict. Cobb said, 'The children play good guys / bad guys, and can't separate reality from fiction. They play out what they see: kicking, hitting, and punching.

But, in reality acting out is violence. There is no-good guy. ' How do children convert the information on television and use it in play?' At different ages, children watch and understand television in different ways, depending on the length of their attention span, the way in which they process information, the amount of mental effort they invest, and their own life experiences. These variables must be examined to gain an understanding of how television violence affects children at different ages' (Child & Family). Children in preschool classes are not yet ready to decipher between fantasy and reality.

They are fighting and hurting their classmates. This can create a loss of friendships, a loss of privileges, and at it's worst, a loss of child care. Cobb said, 'Aggression is a natural instinct and we must guide these children to better solutions for problems. ' The child who is acting out not only can hurt others but can also hurt himself. Who is responsible to protect children from violence, educate, and help teach resistance to violence?

The government has the ability to regulate what is on our television sets, and when those programs should be aired. According to a Factsheet of events, early in 1990, 'The U.S. 'Television Violence Act' is signed by the President and becomes law. This Act gives the major U.S. Networks three years to take voluntary steps to curb depictions of violence on American television' (Chronology). Cobb said, 'The current regulations are not enough because what children do in their homes and at their schools cannot be regulated. ' The government is limited to what it can do to protect children. What are the responsibilities for teachers in educating and protecting children?

Cobb said, 'To let them know what violence is and to help them understand how violence affects them and others. Setting rules and having a no toleration policy, and to deal with it individually as needed. ' Unfortunately teachers cannot control what is viewed in the home. Teachers are limited much like the government. They cannot prevent the problems they can only deal with them as they come. Parents are, after all, the most responsible for what their children are exposed to.

They should teach their children to deal with their aggression in positive ways. Parents should set rules on television usage. The television is not a baby sitter. Parents should watch what their children are watching to make sure that only age appropriate shows are viewed.

Parents should take in consideration, the abundance of help available for parents on television for children. Television Networks have been providing some ratings system to better help prevent children from viewing inappropriate shows. They are warning adults of violence, course language, suggestive dialogue, and sexual situations. 'Parental responsibility is indispensable in making the TV ratings system work. TV Parental Guidelines were created to provide parents with a tool they can use to make better informed decisions for their family's television viewing' (Family Guide, 3). Children can be exposed to violent programming on a daily basis.

Their behavior shows that this media can and does have a negative influence in some degree. The government however limited in its influence, dose help regulate what is on television and when. Teachers can only deal with the side affects of the violent behavior. Parents must be wary of the programming that children are viewing. In combining our efforts government, teachers, and parents can teach children to act and react appropriately and responsibly. Cobb said, 'I think everyone in their daily lives and all of society have stressful times.

Adults need to learn to handle their emotions so that we can be role models for the children. We need peers to use as a sounding board to keep our frustrations in tact. ' In order to teach, we need to be teachable. In order to protect, we need to be informed of dangers. Protecting, educating, and teaching resistance to violence are some ways to help improve children's behavior.

Bibliography

Page " Child and Family Canada' Television Violence: A Review of the Effects on Children of Different Ages web Jean. Child Care Provider USI. Personal Interview. 17 Nov. 1998.
Factsheet' Chronology of Main Events & Initiatives Undertaken Related To The Issue Of Television Violence 1990 web she / tale.