Juvenile delinquency has always been a thorny issue for the American government. According to Leapman, every four violent crimes committed by the adults are followed by one carried out by those under the age of 18 (p 118). Superficially, crime is a result of people’s personal aspirations and negative impacts of the environment. Although the direct causes of this process are unknown, violence on television is arguably the most powerful trigger of the juvenile violent behavior.
The first argument to be considered is that children, especially the little ones, are superb imitators. Simulation and modeling of their favorite heroes’ behavior can be frequently observed among the young. Children eagerly imitate whatever they see. For instance, when …show more content…
Over time, people become emotionally insensitive to the cruelty and violence on TV. The human nature is such that people respond to violence both emotionally and physically. This occurs unconsciously and does not depend on whether the act of violence took place in real life or was portrayed on television. Nevertheless, these responses fade after having been elicited too often. Desensitization to violence is inevitable if one regularly watches it on television. Adolescents who repeatedly encounter violent scenes in movies or TV shows gradually become desensitized and start perceiving violence as something that is generally acceptable as a norm; they no longer feel apprehensive of it. The consequences of such transformations are often irreversible and can influence teenager’s judgment in a way that will push him or her towards violent or aggressive …show more content…
For instance, films such as Justice League or X-men represent the “good guys” combating the “bad”, with the latter being punished. It is easier for children to realize that evil acts are culpable. Moreover, they usually identify themselves with the movie heroes and prefer to follow the positive characters. From such a viewpoint, watching the good beating the evil may be seen as beneficial. However, the situation is not one-sided since it also shows the youths how to respond to the wrong deeds by the “bad guys”. Typically, the screen offers a battlefield where the good juxtaposes the bad. What is important here are that the characters that are referred to as the positive heroes frequently practice violence to overcome their opponents. The methods can include kicking, smashing, punching and other forms of aggression. The appalling side effect of this is that children develop the idea that issues can be resolved with physical dominance. Thus, children who are exposed to violent scenes are more prone to consider violence an efficient way of managing disagreements. Furthermore, it is evident that children tend to copy their favorite super heroes. Most often, the imitation involves taking a fighting stance or pulling out imaginary swords as if signifying of their readiness for a battle. The situation is such that even positive heroes in television justify
The first argument to be considered is that children, especially the little ones, are superb imitators. Simulation and modeling of their favorite heroes’ behavior can be frequently observed among the young. Children eagerly imitate whatever they see. For instance, when …show more content…
Over time, people become emotionally insensitive to the cruelty and violence on TV. The human nature is such that people respond to violence both emotionally and physically. This occurs unconsciously and does not depend on whether the act of violence took place in real life or was portrayed on television. Nevertheless, these responses fade after having been elicited too often. Desensitization to violence is inevitable if one regularly watches it on television. Adolescents who repeatedly encounter violent scenes in movies or TV shows gradually become desensitized and start perceiving violence as something that is generally acceptable as a norm; they no longer feel apprehensive of it. The consequences of such transformations are often irreversible and can influence teenager’s judgment in a way that will push him or her towards violent or aggressive …show more content…
For instance, films such as Justice League or X-men represent the “good guys” combating the “bad”, with the latter being punished. It is easier for children to realize that evil acts are culpable. Moreover, they usually identify themselves with the movie heroes and prefer to follow the positive characters. From such a viewpoint, watching the good beating the evil may be seen as beneficial. However, the situation is not one-sided since it also shows the youths how to respond to the wrong deeds by the “bad guys”. Typically, the screen offers a battlefield where the good juxtaposes the bad. What is important here are that the characters that are referred to as the positive heroes frequently practice violence to overcome their opponents. The methods can include kicking, smashing, punching and other forms of aggression. The appalling side effect of this is that children develop the idea that issues can be resolved with physical dominance. Thus, children who are exposed to violent scenes are more prone to consider violence an efficient way of managing disagreements. Furthermore, it is evident that children tend to copy their favorite super heroes. Most often, the imitation involves taking a fighting stance or pulling out imaginary swords as if signifying of their readiness for a battle. The situation is such that even positive heroes in television justify