The film industry, in this generation, has produced several great and highly successful films, many of which contain some form of excessive violence. Some examples of these movies include The Boondock Saints, The Expendables, and Fight Club. Although these films are indeed wildly successful, it is important that such films are watched by only their intended audiences, namely adults. Many children are getting their hands on, violent films which could alter their moods and behaviors. Even though the film industry continues to produce violent films, it is imperative that parents actively continue to make sure they are distant from children as they may evoke negative social behaviors, such as fear, violence, and aggression. Children continue to get hold of these violent films, mainly in their own home. It can be a difficult task these days for parents to see what their kids are constantly doing. “…in the real world, it can be hard for parents to monitor their children 's media habits. With TV, movies, videos, and computer games, many parents do not know what their kids see every day,” says Miranda Hitti, writer for WebMD (Hitti). The expanding technology of this generation is certainly not on the parents’ side. According to Hitti, children are able to access violent material from the use of technological advances such as cable or satellite (Hitti). The role of the parents also play a big part in a child watching violent films. According to Prof. Kevin Browne, and Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis, families with one parent, apathetic parents, or parents who don’t actively care for their children may lead to the deliquency which comes from them watching violent films (706). As can be seen, it is important for parents to censor what their kids watch.
Many children in the U.S. are watching violent films. “Almost 13 percent of the nation 's estimated 22 million children between the ages of 10 and 14 are viewing extremely graphic depictions of violence in film, whether in theaters, on DVDs, or on television,” says Alan Mozes of Consumer Health Complete (Mozes). The viewing of these violent films can cause many forms of negative reactions from children. Although tied to aggression, that is not all media violence can evoke in a child; there is also fear (Hittie). Viewing the events of September, 11 on television brought out fear in American children seeing the attacks of terrorism on the country (Hittie). These fearful events may go on to impact the child’s life later on. Another behavior violent films can evoke is drug use; most often films receive their R-rating for more than just violence. Worth, Chambers, Nassau, Rakhra, and Sargent, all manuscript authors for the National Institutes of Health, state that films violence can evoke more than just aggressive behavior, but that it can evoke alcohol abuse or drug use that can potentially stunt development (307). The most important negative social behavior that violent films can produce in children however, is violence itself. Aimee Tompkins of Allpsych Online states, “…that violent media is associated with aggressive behavior” (Tompkins). Children who watch violent films are usually more hostile, have no concern for the rules, and do not have any remorse of the consequences of their actions (Tompkins). Obviously, violent films often have very negative effects on children.
Viewing violent films, under the right circumstances, can be a positive experience as well. According to Hittie, parents can view violent films with the company of their children in order to get them to think critically about the situations (Hittie). Tompkins also states, “…exposure to violent media can actually provide a healthy release for the frightening emotions of children and young adults” (Tompkins). Although violent films can provide children with some positive learning experiences, ultimately, the cons outweigh the pros. According to Browne and Hamilton-Giachritsis, those who watched violent films, were more susceptible to violent acts even ten months down the road (706). In reality, showing children violent movies to stimulate them and to show them what not to do is not worth the possible life of crime they may live (706). It is better to keep children away from violent films than it is to expose them.
Showing children violent films can be a postive thing, as they may cause the child to think critically, as well as learning what not to do in life. Ultimately however, showing children violent films may evoke negative behaviors and emotions such as fear, drug use and alcohol abuse, and violence which are more of a concern. It is important that this nation’s youth be not exposed to violent films at an early, adolescent age.
Works Cited
Browne, Kevin D., and Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis. "The Influence of Violent Media on Children and Adolescents: a Public-health Approach." Consumer Health Complete. EBSCO, p.702-710 19 Feb. 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
Hitti, Miranda. "Media Violence Spurs Fear, Aggression in Kids." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. n.pag. 17 Feb. 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
Mozes, Alan. "Many Kids Under 15 Watch Violent Movies." Consumer Health Complete. EBSCO, n.pag. 4 Aug. 2008. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
Tompkins, Aimee. "The Psychological Effects of Violent Media on Children." Allpsych Online. n.pag. 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 27 Oct. 2010.
Worth, Keila A., Jennifer G. Chambers, Daniel H. Nassau, Balvinder K. Rakhra, and James D. Sargent. "Exposure of US Adolescents to Extremely Violent Movies." 2009. MS. Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon. Pubmed. p.306-312 17 Nov. 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
Cited: Browne, Kevin D., and Catherine Hamilton-Giachritsis. "The Influence of Violent Media on Children and Adolescents: a Public-health Approach." Consumer Health Complete. EBSCO, p.702-710 19 Feb. 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. Hitti, Miranda. "Media Violence Spurs Fear, Aggression in Kids." WebMD - Better Information. Better Health. n.pag. 17 Feb. 2005. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. Mozes, Alan. "Many Kids Under 15 Watch Violent Movies." Consumer Health Complete. EBSCO, n.pag. 4 Aug. 2008. Web. 25 Oct. 2010. Tompkins, Aimee. "The Psychological Effects of Violent Media on Children." Allpsych Online. n.pag. 25 Oct. 2010. Web. 27 Oct. 2010. Worth, Keila A., Jennifer G. Chambers, Daniel H. Nassau, Balvinder K. Rakhra, and James D. Sargent. "Exposure of US Adolescents to Extremely Violent Movies." 2009. MS. Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon. Pubmed. p.306-312 17 Nov. 2009. Web. 25 Oct. 2010.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
With an uprise of violence in the media today, it is important to evaluate how exposure to such media may affect its viewers, especially children. Conclusive studies have been ran that indicates there may be a connection between aggressive behavior in these adulesents and violent materials such as movies, television shows, and different forms of art. These materials have been suggested to have short-term and long-lastings effects.…
- 888 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
(1).The problem is that in the last four decades, the government and the public health amassed an impressive body of evidence identifying the impact of media violence on children. Since 1969, when President [Lyndon] Johnson formed the National Commission on the Causes and Prevention of Violence, the body of data has effectively grown and grown and it leads to an unambiguous and virtually unanimous conclusion: media violence contributes to anxiety, desensitization, and increased aggression among children. When children are exposed to aggressive films, they behave more aggressively. And when no consequences are associated with the media aggression, children are even more likely to imitate the aggressive behavior.…
- 698 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Cutler, Maggie: Research on the Effects of Media Violence on Children Is Inconclusive". Is Media Violence a Problem? James D. Torr, Ed. At Issue Series. Greenhaven Press 2002…
- 1891 Words
- 8 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Therefore, the media should reduce the amount of violence that is in children television shows. Rethinking the plots and making shows more educational but fun at the same would leave a more positive affect on the young children watching. The violent media displayed to kids can influence the decisions they make in everyday life. According to the American Psychological Association, “Violent programs on television lead to aggressive behavior by children teens who watch these programs”(APA,249). In other words, the American Psychological Association believes that these violent programs have a high influence on children and young teens. These aggressive behaviors exhibited by young children can cause bodily harm and also emotional harm for children. Once a child develops a pattern of aggressive behavior caused by TV Violence, it is a very process to reverse or get rid of this…
- 1550 Words
- 7 Pages
Good Essays -
Cited: Adams, Nicole. “How TV Violence Affects Kids.” Livestrong. 20 July 2012. Web. 10 Nov.…
- 801 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Movies and television are an obvious part of everyday American life; however with such a habit of watching the screen, one’s mind has the power to be influenced and their morality to be questioned. It has been recognized that the average American child spends at least 28 hours a week, either watching T.V., surfing the web, etc. “The average American will also witness approximately 20,000 simulated deaths in his or her lifetime. Violence has been so glamorized that it can be found almost everywhere in media” (Parents). While this data should be shocking, it is really no surprise that this is the kind of media one’s mind is being exposed to. Because of the moral decline taking place in the United States, most any child would not view televised violent death as anything grotesque while decades ago such violence would never be exposed to the young mind, or any mind for that matter. America seems willing to sacrifice its views and others morals for the gain of the money made by these movies and T.V. shows. Movie ratings have recently been viewed by much of the public as skewed. Movie producers and raters make it their goal to make what could be an R rated movie a PG-13, so as to attract a wider spectrum of viewers. “These restrictions can severely limit the amount of money your film will make, as teens form a huge part of movie audiences” (Parents). The morals…
- 942 Words
- 4 Pages
Better Essays -
Violent video games have become increasingly popular. Not only are adults enjoying the new fad, but young children are too. Many studies have been conducted in order to determine how the newest violent media has been affecting the children of today. It is a common misconception that the children who play these violent games, watch movies and television shows grow into a violent adult, while the children who more sheltered from this media become model citizens. In the article, “Whodunit—The Media?” Maggie Cutler addresses the controversy that follows the notion that violent media has a negative effect on children and asserts her opinion that instead of exploiting the media violence as harming this latest generation, working with the media will prove beneficial to the safety and sanity of the children.…
- 656 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Many movies, television shows, music songs, and video games are filled with violence: murder scenes, nonstop profanity, rape and torture scenarios. By placing scenes like these in the movies for the children and teenagers to see, the media is causing them to become more violent than it already is. What has our society come to these days? Everywhere we look, violence is present; in the streets, back alleys, schools, and even at home. Even if one might be a pacifist, violence will keep its way into our homes through the television. Many parents these days are busy with their work, and sometimes it is hard to keep track what their children do. They are working singles or couples who must rely on others for the parenting and raising their children. Even baby sitters use television as the easiest source of entertainment for the children. Since every family has televisions and the children play video games almost every day, truly the media affects the children. The average hours of American youth watching television is about four hours, which means children spend more time watching television than in any other activity, except sleep, after school. So, parents should control the television that children watch. They need to be aware that media violence affects in the real world.…
- 888 Words
- 3 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
Cited: Anderson, C.A., Berkowitz, L., Donnerstein, E., Huesmann, L.R., Johnson, J.D., Linz, D., Malamuth, N.M., and Wartella, E. (2003). The Influence of media violence on youth. Psychological Science in the public interest, 4(3), 81-110.…
- 3210 Words
- 13 Pages
Best Essays -
Whether it’s a television show, movies, video games, music lyrics, or the Internet, a worldwide communication network, a young viewer cannot escape the cataclysm. As per Roberts DF, “the average child spends 5.5 hours daily with electronic media. Including all forms of media, between 8 and 18 years of age, the average time with media is 6 hours and 43 minutes daily. (Kaiser Family Foundation; 1999). Adolescents are growing and developing individuals who are continually going through changes in every aspect of their lives. Each experience in an adolescent 's life will continue to shape knowledge, attitude, and behavior, and media continues to be an important influence. Most adolescents are able to separate fantasy from reality, but there are children who are susceptible to the theory, that media represents the real world. What effects do violent media messages and images have on adolescent? Research on violent television, movies, video games, and music reveals evidence that media violence increases the likelihood of aggressive and violent behavior. Pediatricians and other health care…
- 933 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Thesis statement: Media violence has a serious negative impact on youths and to curtail this influence, we have to understand how and why aggressive behavior is encouraged through media viewing, experimental studies that support this claim, why youths are attracted to on screen violence, but more importantly how to curb the adverse effects of media violence on youths.…
- 2236 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Experts even suggest that the evidence linking media violence to aggressive behavior is stronger than the evidence linking smoking to lung cancer (Gentile). In the United States an average of 20-25 violent acts are shown in children's television programs each hour (Media Wise). Violence (homicide, suicide, and trauma) is the leading cause of death for children, adolescents and young adults, more prevalent than disease, cancer or congenital disorders (Youth Violence Facts at a Glance 2). In fact, six prominent medical groups (American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, American Psychological Association, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Psychiatric Association) warn of these effects of media violence on children: Children will increase anti-social and aggressive behavior, become less sensitive to violence and those who suffer from violence, children may view the world as violent and mean, become more fearful of being a victim of violence, children may desire to see more violence in entertainment and real life, and children will view violence as an acceptable way to settle conflicts (National Institute on Media and the Family). While most adults realize that media violence is fabricated, children are more vulnerable. Preschoolers cannot distinguish the difference between reality and fantasy. Children who identify with aggressive heroes are more likely to be more aggressive. They learn that violence is effective, courageous, socially acceptable and rewarded, and they get caught in the aggression cycle. Aggressive children prefer aggressive programming (Medscape). These…
- 4709 Words
- 19 Pages
Good Essays -
We live in a society that dignifies and makes violence seem like an acceptable part of life. However, studies and research suggest that not just parents are to blame for this epidemic. This paper will attempt to justify and defend the belief that a child’s viewing of violence in movies leads to an increase in violence and aggressive behavior. It will also provide evidence to support the theory of positive correlation between violence in movies having a negative impact on human behavior. This paper will provide evidence from studies of children viewing violent movies, strategies that parents can use to stay informed and how to suppress aggressive behavior expressed by their children, and how this epidemic unless stopped has the potential to…
- 1328 Words
- 6 Pages
Good Essays -
I think it is very important that people don’t underestimate the influence that violence media has on children or adolescent. This kind of violence effects children’s behavior. Children get used to it and children can associate violence with fun. For all those reasons it is important that parents have an eye on what their children watch on TV, or what kind of video games they play and for how…
- 506 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Children are very susceptible to the “monkey see-monkey do” complex, they are raised to walk, talk, and act like the adults they see. So when a child is shown large amounts of violence, for example “…13 to 22 acts of physical aggression per hour in Saturday Morning television” (Scharrer 25), they tend to feel less disturbed by it. This style of desensitization is prevalent in anything that is presented to children on a regular basis. The short-term effects of media violence are easy to indentify by simply asking kids how they feel about violence after seeing said images, but the long-term effects of media of violence are harder to study because the generation that has been exposed to it the most (the current generation) has not yet fully matured. Many of the children who media violence may potentially affect haven’t grown up enough to have the freedom to commit a violent act.…
- 788 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays