Effects Of TV Violence On Children Argumentative Essay

This is a subject that has for years caused a great deal of debate. There are those who simply dismiss the possibility of a link between violence on the TV and consequential effects on the younger TV viewers. In contrast, there are parents who refuse to permit their children to watch any TV programmes that might portray violence as a “normal” part of their content.
The possible adverse effects on children, especially if they are given the freedom and the opportunity to watch unlimited “violent” television with little or no parental guidance, may be considered to include the danger that they become so used to the “everyday” violence they see on their screens, that the violence portrayed not only loses its impact after a time, but becomes “normal.” For such children it can cease to be in any way horrific or shocking, effectively making those children immune to what should be shocking, unacceptable, and even scary.
For children who develop that apparent immunity to the violent behavior they see on the television, it can gradually but inexorably affect their own standards and values, so that they may begin to feel that violence may be the accepted and appropriate way to resolve their own conflicts and disputes with others, even imitating particular violent acts witnessed by characters in TV dramas. There may also be situations where the child can develop empathy for certain TV “hero” characters who resolve issues using violence, and therefore identify with the characters to the extent they feel they are acting out that role when he/she settles conflicts in the same manner.
For the very young children, gratuitous violence seen on TV can also cause the child to be seriously disturbed as a result, perhaps having recurring nightmares, to become afraid of the dark, or having a fear of anything resembling whatever it was that was frightening in the content of the TV programme resulting in those fears. For example, a lifelong fear of large dogs could begin with seeing a savage dog attacking someone on the TV.
A particular issue is when the TV-portrayed realistic violence does not result in the perpetrator apparently being punished for it. That can send a subliminal message to children that such violence is acceptable. Although the likelihood of children imitating the TV violence is increased if the subjects have learning difficulties or emotional/behavioural disorders, it is by no means only those children who can and will be affected.
In addition, effects of children seeing repeated TV violence is not always immediately apparent. Although consequent aggressive behavior may be seen immediately after viewing such TV programmes, the effects in an individual’s behavior may not become apparent until many years afterward. It is also not necessarily the case that the transfer of violent behavior from TV to the viewing child occurs only in families with prevalence for violent behavior themselves. The effects can often be seen in children coming from families with no violent history or violent tendencies.
There is little doubt that children readily learn from and subsequently imitate the violence they see on their TV screens and – unfortunately – often without realising they are doing anything particularly bad. Because violent action in the TV dramas helps increase ratings, it is unlikely to diminish without regulation and/or legislation, but is that likely? There has recently been an attempt to introduce U.S. legislation against violent content of video games, but – as yet – no such initiative for TV programmes.
So, if parents accept that TV violence can and does affect children in the ways described, what are the ways they can avoid that happening to their own children? The following are some suggested ways:
- Be aware of the TV programmes your children watch, and sit with them to watch them yourself(ves);
- Restrict the total amount of time your kids are allowed to watch TV daily. If necessary, do not allow them to have their own bedroom TV;
- Where applicable draw your children’s attention the fact that although the characters are only actors, in real life the victims of violence suffer pain and even death;
- Prohibit their viewing of particularly violent programmes. When “unsuitable” programmes begin, either switch channels or turn off the TV, explaining why that programme is unsuitable viewing;
- Demonstrate your own opposition to violent behavior shown on the TV, underlining for the benefit of your children why that portrayed violence is the wrong way to resolve such conflicts;
- If viewing restrictions cause your children to quote friends who are not so restricted, try to persuade their parents to adopt similar rules to your own;
There is little doubt that TV violence has become a matter of real concern to parents and to our society as a whole. With the growth in the number of TV sets in our homes in recent years, we have a generation of youngsters growing up with at least one TV in virtually every home (many homes have TVs in almost every room), and a culture where in many families kids watch TV for more hours a week than they spend in school. Because the effects on children of watching violence on TV are real, and can affect their personalities even in adulthood, it is time that the amount and degree of that violence is restricted by legislation. It will not happen without legislation. So long as violence in programmes increases viewer ratings and therefore helps sell advertising, the programme makers will continue to make and show even more “violent” TV.