Things Parents Should be Thinking About

I have been looking at some studies on the impact of media (in all of it’s expressions) and find some contradiction but mostly agreement.

The Journal of the American Medical Association published the definitive epidemiological study on the impact of TV violence. The research demonstrated what happened in numerous nations after television made its appearance as compared to nations and regions without TV. The two nations or regions being compared are demographically and ethnically identical – only one variable is different, the presence of television. In every nation, region, or city with television, there is an immediate explosion of violence on the playground, and within 15 years there is a doubling of the murder rate.

The Journal of the American Medical Association also stated – “the introduction of television in the 1950’s caused a subsequent doubling of the homicide rate, for example., long-term childhood exposure to television is a causal factor behind approximately one half of the homicides committed in the United States, or approximately 10,000 homicides annually…if, hypothetically, television technology had never been developed, there would today be 10,000 fewer homicides each year in the United States, 70,000 fewer rapes, and 700,000 fewer injurious assaults” (June 10, 1992).

Now the BBC comes out with conflicting opinions regarding two other forms of media – gaming and Death Metal music. I was mortified to see a game on TV for sale called “Hitman” I believe, where your young gamer can murder people and choose his method i.e. knife – gun and more. You can choose your victims and bla bla… I couldn’t believe my eyes. My kids can’t sneak a “Slayer” concert past me as easily as a cd.

Back on topic this BBC piece seems to make a ho-hum argument that violence in gaming is not specific to the game but a whole host of other “weird science”.

In another article the BBC published – this article reporting that music about death and murder are connected to Satanism and the occult, violence and murder.

Just speaking for myself but I find this sort of entertainment repugnant, but it does exist and we make our choices in life – Moms and Dads – talk to your kids. Read the stuff you find in their rooms, like the inserts and dust jackets on books, music and gaming CDs and try to be a part of their life and not a spectator. Don’t be afraid to say “no” about certain games or movies that your kids want to watch. Sometimes that means saying “NO” to yourself as well, as you change the channel on the TV set. Try to discuss and oppose behavior that appears unduly violent, or aberrant in your children. You’ll thank yourself years down the road!

For my money – Woody Woodpecker was one of the most violent TV characters ever – but that’s me!