Pros and cons of television violence
On television, children can see violence, but is this always bad or can positive parts be drawn?
Violence has been a part of television for as long as it has existed, and throughout this relationship, scientists and academics have studied how violent programming affects viewers, both young and old. The conclusions of these studies are not black and white, but point to both positive and negative consequences of watching violence on television.
Although it may seem difficult to believe, violence on television can have both pros and cons, as long as parents are a good emotional guide for children. It is important that children and adolescents do not “immunize” themselves to violent scenes since this would only be a problem for themselves, both in the short and long term.
TELEVISION VIOLENCE REINFORCES VIOLENT SOLUTIONS
Many studies show a correlation between television violence and learned violent behavior in humans, especially in children. In 1994, The Independent published an article on the relationship between television violence and real life violence. Author Raj Persuad wrote that television “is bound to teach children over time that violence is a viable and acceptable solution to life’s problems.”
Time and again, television characters face major and minor problems, and their solutions often involve violence because violence is seen as more interesting to watch than passive mediation. In this view, when viewers, especially children, venture into the real world, they will first consider violence rather than safer solutions, because they have the pattern ingrained in their minds.
TELEVISION VIOLENCE DESENSITIZES PEOPLE TO VIOLENCE
People have a natural instinctual aversion to violence. According to a 2007 study by the Association for Psychological Sciences, “most people have an automatic aversive emotional response to scenes of violence, often assessed by changes in heart rate and skin conductance. These emotional responses negative ones help to inhibit aggressive behavior and inspire helpful behavior. ”
But the study adds that people exposed to violent television showed reduced skin conductance and heart rate reactivity when faced with real- life violence . Therefore, the study suggests that the act of observing simulated violence inhibits people’s ability to react naturally and effectively to actual violence, and this inhibition can lead to serious problems when dealing with real-world problems.
TELEVISION VIOLENCE TEACHES CHILDREN ABOUT CONSEQUENCES
By watching violence on television shows and news broadcasts, children can learn about the world. They can understand problems to better prepare for solutions. But watching violence on television can also teach them about the consequences of violent acts.
Most television shows teach children that good will prevail over evil and that crime is paid for. If children know about prison, revenge, fines, and all the other negative side effects of violent acts, they are less likely to commit violence in real life.
In all cases, parents are the ones who should help their children to understand that violence on television is sometimes fiction and other times it is real, but that it is almost never justified. Violence only generates more violence and does not help solve real life problems. It is important to equip children with the necessary resources and skills to cope with life’s obstacles.
Dr. Tabriella Perivolaris, Sara's mother and fan of fashion, beauty, motherhood, among others, about the female universe. Since 2018 she has been working as a copywriter, always bringing to her articles a little of her experience and experience as a mother and woman.