Media violence has become a topic of concern for agression, rage, and vioelnt acts by and among children. Many believe that gang violence, murders, and injuries are mainly caused by the violence that is seen in television, books, and other media. Children are succeptible to what they see in television and are inspired to copy what they see in their daily lives. It is also seen as the fuel for kids to exercise their agression and rage. However, is the violence corrupting the children or helping them experiences emotions that they have been sheltered from?
Gerard Jones argues in his essay “Violent Media is Good for Kids” that children should be exposed to violence in media because it allows them to find themselves. “Identification with a rebellious, even destructive, hero helps children learn to push back against a modern culture that cultivates fearand teaches dependency” (232). Children should not be isolated from feeling certain emotions. Exposure to good values and negative values alike allow them to express themselves fully. When children are pushed to act a certain way and to avoid natural urges they act out against what they are told to do. However, when they are encouraged to explore they are more willing to learn what is right and what is wrong.
Jones’s argument is valid because children are inclined to disobey their parents when they are being pushed to behave a certain way. Children that are constantly pressured to avoid their interests, such as violence and outlaws, they will act like their idols more frequently because now they have a reason to break the rules. On the other hand, if they are allowed to carry out their fantasies it will have two outcomes: they will get bored with it, or more likely, it will build their character. When children let out their emotions and express their rage and agression it relieves stress and become less prone to violence as they age. The children that are forced to avoid violence end up bottling up their problems to the point where their rage exploads. Being exposed to violence teaches children how to learn from that violence and to understand what it really is early on. Children that are sheltered from it don’t comprehend it and abuse that violence when they are exposed to it.
Overall, Jones’s is effective in arguing his opinion that children should be allowed to exposed to and act out media violence. He provides examples of how allowing chidlren to act out their fantasies of violence and agression built their character and ultimately brought value to their lives, as well as his own personal experience. I agree with his argument because children should be free to explore their interests. It allows them to discover their place in their world and become better people because of it. Children that are sheltered from natural emotions and impeded from discovering themselves.
