Does television violence influence behavior in children?

”Hollywood has been blamed for the downfall of the nation's morals and has been a scapegoat for parent's poor parenting skills,” states author Tim Goodman. While sexual images have been banned from television, violence has been shown on a daily basis. Mike Males, an author of several media books, states that there is no proof that children are influenced by what they see on television. He writes that Mothers Against Drunk Driving accuse certain beer commercials featuring frogs for targeting teens and may influence them into drinking. An in depth survey by USA Today found that while teens found these ads amusing, they did not consume alcohol as a result of watching them. Mr. Males writes that youths learn behaviors from their parents, not television. He feels that kids are taking the blame for being violent when it is actually the parents who are at fault. Tim Goodman writes that parents need to "vote with their remote" (Goodman, page 258) and stop ruining television for everyone. Parents have pressured elected officials into taking action and as a result a ratings system is in place as well as V-Chip which shifts parental responsibility to the government, he claims. Mr. Goodman writes that this sort of censoring is a violation of the first amendment right, freedom of speech. Embrace freedom by changing the channel if its not deemed appropriate, he suggests.

There are counterclaims that children who view violent shows on television suffer long term adverse effects. The American Psychological Association gathered data from various psychology research agencies which has shown that there are three major effects on children who view violence on television:

• Children become less sensitive to pain and suffering of others
• Children may become more fearful in the world
  
• Children are more likely to have aggressive tendencies towards others

Pennsylvania State University conducted a survey on one hundred children, some watched cartoons with aggression, some without aggression. The kids who watched the shows with aggression showed aggression towards playmates. The kids who watched the shows without aggression were patient and cooperative. Psychologists Dr. Douglas Gentile, PHd and Dr. Craig Anderson, PHd supports these ideas. Their studies show the effects of violent video game playing by youths. Their research revealed that kids who are exposed to violent video games have stronger, aggressive tendencies and behaviors (www.psychologymatters.org).

Violence sells, according to George Gerbner, a professor and director of media violence research. Violent images are marketable because they need no translation and speak any language, he writes. The media contributes to the growing exposure children have to violence by creating a “Culture of Fear “ states Jonathan Alter, an author and editor for Newsweek. Media focuses on the violent issues in society causing the public to have an exaggerated sense of fear. Millions of youths face real life violence in their homes while the focus is placed on the media according to Mr. Males. The American Psychological Association reminds the reader that parents have a tremendous power to control their children’s exposure to violence. By being aware of what their children watch, talking to them about violent images, allow and encourage them to see alternative shows, or limit their television time altogether they hold the key to molding less aggressive and more productive young adults.

Alter, Jonathan. “Who’s Taking the Kids?”
Goshgarian, Gary.What Matters in America.
New York: Pearson Education Inc., 2007. 92-93.

Goodman, Tim. "Hate Violence? Turn it Off."
Goshgarian, Gary.What Matters in America.
New York: Pearson Education Inc., 2007. 257-260.

Males, Mike. "Stop Blaming Kids and TV."
Goshgarian, Gary. What Matters in America.
New York: Pearson Education Inc., 2007. 267-271.

Gentile and Anderson, 2003 “Violent Video Games-Psychologists Help Protect Children from Harmful Effects.”
World Wide Web

Gerbner, George. “Television’s Global Marketing Strategy Creates a Damaging and Alienated Window on the World.”
Goshgarian, Gary. What Matters in America.
New York: Pearson Education Inc., 2007. 261-264.