Violence In Cartoons, And The Effects They Have On Our Youth.

Violence In Cartoons, And The Effects They Have On Our Youth

“In 1961, I worried that my children would not benefit much from television, but in 1991, I worry that my grandchildren will actually be harmed by it.” (Jamison 3). Violence in television is a major concern facing society in this day and age. The major priority is our children and how they react to this violence in the media. The programs our children watch need to be regulated and censored. Even cartoons are becoming a bad influence on our young society. There is too much violence in media directed towards the young audiences. One prime example is cartoons. Cartoons have grown to become very violent and need to be censored and evaluated in order to preserve our youth. Many violent crimes and effects have resulted from violent media on television.

It is unbelievable, how much time a child spends in front of the television. On the average, a child spends 1,680 minutes every week, watching television. They spend 38.5 minutes a week talking one on one with a parent. A child spends 30 hours a week at school, and watches 32 hours of television a week. Out of all the programs on television, 80.3 percent contain violence. Other alternatives need to made in order to direct children’s minds away from television. If not many problems may arise in the future.

Television is the most influential and most popular form of media on the planet. Children are attracted to the images and sounds that are created from these cartoon programs, and other television media. Statistics show that children spend far more time in front of the television. Television media easily influences children. Unfortunately, children learn by imitation. This can be positive or negative. When violence in cartoons is discussed, this trait becomes negative. Three major effects occur when children view violence on television. “Children may become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others. Children may be more fearful of the world around them. Finally, children may be more likely to behave in an aggressive matter.” (Murray 6). Studies by George Gerbner, at the University of Pennsylvania, have shown that children’s television shows contain about 20 violent acts each hour and also that children who watch a lot of television are more likely to think that the world is a mean and dangerous place. There are about 25 violent acts an hour during Saturday morning cartoons. This is when most children watch cartoons.

Children often behave differently after they’ve been watching violent programs on television. In another study done at Pennsylvania University, about 100 preschool children were observed and after watching television; some watched cartoons that had a lot of aggressive and violent acts in them, and others watched shows that didn’t have any kind of violent acts in them. There was a huge difference between the kids who watched violent shows and the ones who viewed the nonviolent programs. “Children who watch the violent shows, even ‘just funny’ cartoons, were more likely to hit at their playmates, argue, disobey class rules, leave ...

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Researchers found out that the youngsters who watched Batman and Superman were more physically active, both in the classroom and on the playground. They were also more likely to get into fights and scrapes with each other, play roughly with toys, break toys, take toys from others, and get into little arguments. Other cartoons that caused violent activity include “Ani-maniacs” and “Looney Toons”. The other group that watched Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood was more cooperative with others, offered to help others spontaneously. Believe it, violence in cartoons is a serious matter. More than 40 percent of 8 year olds have a television in their room. Something has to be done to limit violence in cartoons and other children television programs.

Another example also helps prove the violence in cartoons. A Teacher in Minneapolis named Mrs. Nierenhausen states, “I’d suspect that some of the things the kids were doing and some comments they were making were picked up from TV, but I didn’t want to make judgments without watching the programs myself.” (Murray 11). After she watched the programs, she said, “I’d seen kids acting out the same exact actions and saying the same words I thought were inappropriate that were on ‘Beavis and Butthead’”. (Murray 12).

There are some cartoons that do promote learning; however, they are no longer on air. Fat Albert, Cosby Kids, and Archie. These programs came about after the Surgeon General’s show of concern for violence in cartoons, which took place in the 1970’s. Since then there have been educational cartoons created, but there are still more violent cartoons present than the educational programs for children. The public needs to wake up and discover new methods that allow the kids to laugh and learn at the same time, while also eliminating violence.

One factor that will call parents attention is that when television was introduced to the United States, Canada, and South Africa, the homicide rates in those countries doubled. In one Canadian town were television wasn’t introduced until 1973, there was an increase in biting, shoving, and name-calling. This is among adults. Who knows how the children reacted in this small town.

A significant study has shown there are three major affects from watching violence in cartoons. These three effects are known as direct effects, desensitization, and the mean world syndrome.

The direct effects process shows that children who watch a lot violence in cartoons may become more aggressive and may develop favorable attitudes and values about the use of aggression to resolve conflicts. This could become very dangerous for children and may cause negative effects on other children.

The second effect, desensitization, suggests that children who watch a lot of violent acts in cartoons may become less sensitive to the world around them and more able to tolerate violence in society. We do not want our children to accept violence and put up with it.

Finally, the third effect, the mean world syndrome, which means that children begin to believe that the world is a mean and dangerous place because of the violence they have viewed on television, portrays society in that fashion. Our children should not be afraid of the world around them.

These three effects are very serious because they hinder the development of our children and may cause a huge wrinkle in our future.

Many argue that violence on television is a result of violence in society. When the numbers are considered, the argument becomes preposterous. Television characters are murdered 1,000 times more than the rate of American Citizens.

The problem with violence in cartoons is a great concern for society and has a number of solutions. These solutions involve the cooperation of parents along with their children in order to eliminate the effect violence has on children. Violence in cartoons will never completely be destroyed but parents and other authority figures can help the children understand the violent aspects that take place in the media.

Parents can do the following in order to teach children to watch properly. First, they can limit the use of television. Second, the parents should watch television with their children. Third, don’t give the television the most prominent location in the house. Don’t put televisions in the children’s room. Finally, the parents can provide alternative activities that are enjoyable for the youths. There are tons of web pages on the net that provide other alternatives for parents.

Another method involves writing letters to your local congressman and the FCC. These letters may not seem significant; however, if a large number of parents show concern and do so, then changes will be made. Changes may place stricter rules on the FCC and other television organizations. Changes start in the home and spread to create a huge impact.

Cartoons have become too violent and need to be censored for our youth. Many consequences and risks may take place if action is not taken soon. Our children represent the future. We must pull together and find and stop the violence in cartoons and make television appropriate for children. Research has shown us the results and problems that arise. In order to prevent this form happening, we must take a stand against cartoon violence. From Batman to Thundercats, everything needs to be evaluated and made suitable for children many actions can be done at home. Others will follow as parents show concern. Cartoons have become too violent and changes must be done before the situations in these cartoons become worse.