Questions About Acts Of Terrorism example essay topic

Comm 100 War on Terrorism: It's Effect on Children According to the American Heritage Dictionary, terrorism is defined as the unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. Basically, terrorism is imitating the practices of third graders. With the leader, or bully, and his group of followers illegitimately intimidating another group of equal or weaker value for the pure purposes of frightening or provoking them to attack back. The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, did much more damage than most people think. It took away most Americans's else of security and made people, especially children, learn to deal with heartache, depression, apprehension, anxiety, fright, resentment, and other strong emotions that they weren't used to. Economic uncertainty that came with September 11th only added to millions of families's tresses.

Children obviously have more trouble dealing with these pressures, and there are many reasons for this. A study issued in 2001 by the Children's Hospital Medical Center of Cincinnati says 40 percent of 2-year-olds are watching a minimum of three hours of television a day, and as many as 25 percent of 3-years-olds are also sitting in front of the television at least that much. Kids who watch this much television are bound to ask lots of tough questions but questions about acts of terrorism or war. While the news provides immediate and graphic details of war, parents wonder if they should protect their children from the harsh reality, explore the topic, or share their personal beliefs. Children of different ages may all respond differently to the news they hear. Preschool age children may be the most upset by the sights and sounds they see and hear.

Children this age confuse facts with their fantasies and fear of danger. They do not yet have the ability to keep things in perspective and may be unable to block out troubling thoughts. School age children can certainly understand the difference between fantasy and reality but may have trouble keeping them separate at certain times. They may equate a scene from a scary movie with news footage and thus think that the news events are worse than they really are.

They also may not realize a single incident is rebroadcast and so may think many more people are involved than is the case. Middle school and high school age children may be interested and intrigued by the politics of a situation and feel a need to take a stand or action. They may show a desire to be involved in political or charitable activities related to the violent acts. The National Institute on Media and the Family suggests that parent monitor what your kids see and hear about the tragedy through the media to make sure you are comfortable with the messages they are receiving based on their age, maturity level, etc.

Also, parents should try to balance the attention you give to the tragedy and unfolding events with maintaining "normal" activities and routines at home and let children know its okay to ask questions and to answer their questions directly, but do not give them more information than they need or more than you think they can handle. Children should know about what is going on in the world that they live in. The graphic details are unnecessary, but allowing them to discuss their feelings and ask any questions they have is not. The media strongly affects children, especially when it is showing the war on television where kids can have a direct view of what is going on.

Children need lots of hugs and physical reassurance, limited television coverage, acknowledge of their fears, sadness, and anger, and make sure not to place blame on a whole group of people or targeting particular groups.