Between
1998 and 2005, the number of violent incidents on prime time network TV
grew by 75%. There is now an average of 4.41 instances of violence per
hour during prime time, according to a recently released report by the
Parent’s Television Council.
Those
statistics do not include the increase in violence on cable TV, which
would probably drive the numbers higher. For anyone watching TV, these
numbers probably do not come as too much of a shock. However, given the
plethora of studies which document the negative results of watching
violent TV, it is surprising that this trend towards more violence has
continued unabated.
TV violence causes short-term aggression, fear, and desensitization
TV is not so strong an influence that all children who watch will grow
up to be murderers and criminals. Nonetheless, according to the
American Psychological Association, they may:
• Become less sensitive to the pain and suffering of others
• Be more fearful of the world around them
• Behave in aggressive or harmful ways toward others
• Be less likely to see anything wrong with violence
In one study done at Pennsylvania State University, researchers
observed approximately 100 preschool children both before and after
watching television. Some watched violent cartoons, and others watched
completely non-violent programs.
The children who watched the violent cartoons, were “more likely to hit
out at their playmates, argue, disobey class rules, leave tasks
unfinished, and were less willing to wait for things” than those
children who watched nonviolent programs, according to Aletha Huston,
Ph.D.
TV Violence causes long term aggression Watching violence on TV may
also have serious long-term consequences. According to a long-term
study by Dr. Leonard D. Eron, watching television violence at age 8 was
the strongest predictor of aggression 22 years later--stronger even
than exhibiting violent behavior as children. The groundbreaking study
statistically controlled for initial aggressiveness, intelligence, and
social class.
A later study of students from the first through the fourth grade
reached similar frightening conclusions. Men, who were heavy viewers of
violent TV shows as children, were twice as likely as males, who were
light viewers of violent TV, to push, grab, or shove their spouses and
three times as likely to be convicted of criminal behavior by the time
they were in their early 20s. Women who were heavy viewers of violent
programs as children were more than twice as likely as other women were
to have thrown something at their spouse and more than four times as
likely as other young women to have punched, beaten or choked another
adult.
What’s a concerned parent to do?
So, as a concerned parent, you have decided to take more firm control
of your child’s TV viewing. However, depending on the v-chip may not be
enough. The Parents’ Television Council Report also notes that the
rating system for the v-chip is flawed and unreliable. If you want to
help limit your child’s exposure to TV violence, you will have to:
1. Regularly watch your child’s favorite shows to make sure they are acceptable to you.
2. Permanently remove any TVs from your child’s bedroom. It is too easy
to lose touch with what your child is watching. Enterprising youngsters
can often override parental controls too.
3. Cut back on the amount of time your entire family watches TV and
spend that time together. Quality family time is a great antidote to
disturbing TV images. It reinforces the belief that your child is safe
and loved. It also helps provide a more solid moral foundation.
These seemingly small steps can make a world of difference to your
child. It can set him or her on a healthier, less violent path - no
matter what garbage the networks show on TV.
Sources: http://www.parentstv.org/PTC/publications/reports/violencestudy/exsummary.asp http://www.apa.org/pi/pii/vio&tv.html
Frederick
J. Zimmerman, PhD; Gwen M. Glew, MD; Dimitri A. Christakis, MD, MPH;
Wayne Katon, MD “Early Cognitive Stimulation, Emotional Support, and
Television Watching as Predictors of Subsequent Bullying Among
Grade-School Children.” Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2005;159:384-388.
About the Author:
Katherine Westphal is the founder of Trash Your TV which examines the effects of TV violence. Get in control of your TV addiction today.