Quote:
Originally Posted by TalnSG
I would agree that it is not the media, only to the extent that the media is only dramatizing what is already in society. They are to blame for their part in the increased saturation levels and glorification of it.
I think the numbers of children who cannot distinguish between the appropriateness of violence as a response, or means to an end increases, as the age and socialization levels decrease. Unfortunately younger and younger children are being babysat by video games instead of interacting with people, so there is less and less input from other non-violence sources.
The result is the violent, hitting and kicking fits I witness from children from 4-8 yrs old in the hall outside my office when they are told "no" when they scream till their voices give out for candy from the vending machine. Years ago you might see and hear that once in a while, but these days its the norm. When they don't get their way they resort to what little violence they can extert. There size and strength seem to be the only limiting factors - not discipline, not rationality. We are talking the old "terrible twos", these are children we once considered "old enough to know better".
Just who and when are they going to be taught that the entertaining destruction of people and property they are amused by daily is not acceptable in real life. The lesson is being taught later and later in life - if at all.
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I'm sleepy and it's late, so forgive me if I've missed the point a little. It sounds like you're saying that from what you've seen in children the increased exposure to violent games has left them more violent, and whilst I would agree that children are more violent, I disagree that it's the exposure to violent media. Kids 4-8 aren't going to (usually) be playing Manhunt or Grand Theft Auto, or watching Halloween or Saw. . . they play Pokemon and watch Twilight and (at the risk of sounding old) whatever else kids today watch
As a general reply to some of the other posts, I think violence in children and adults is a result of society and the expectations we have. Media may desensitise us, but it doesn't influence us. I don't play violent games, but I've watched horror films since I was twelve and haven't once commited a single violent act, and students I've taught are obssessed with Twilight, and not one of them has wanted to sparkle in the sun or fall in love with a vampire :P Media and entertainment have very limited effects in my opinion.