What Parents can do to Counteract Media Violence (voodoo magic)
No commentsBy Mark Arens
The statistics related to violence in the media are staggering. According to the National Institute on Media and the Family, an average of 20 to 25 violent acts is shown in each hour of children’s television programs. Another study done by the organization showed that 61 percent of children’s television programs contain violence, with 71 percent of the offenders showing no remorse. A 2005 study showed that children, ages 8 to 18, spend more time in front of computer, television, and game screens than any other activity in their lives except sleeping.
With all of this time spent observing violence and violent behavior, children are bound to be negatively affected. A 2006 study proved that exposure to media violence is positively related to subsequent aggressive behavior, aggressive ideas, arousal and anger. Young children are especially vulnerable to violence in the media because they learn by observing and imitating, and they are easily impressionable. Content does matter, and the negative content that flows through the radio airwaves and through our cable antennas are harming our children’s development and growth.
Much needs to be done in this area to ensure that our children are protected from the images and references to violence in the media, but much needs to be done to undo the damage that has already been done. Parents need to counteract the negative statistics and give kids what they need most unconditional love.
The most routine way that parents can counteract these alarming statistics and show unconditional love to their kids, is to routinely offer positive words of encouragement. Words matter and positive interactions and positive reinforcement can make the difference in a life of a child. A 2003 study of college students found that songs with violent lyrics increased aggression-related thoughts and emotions, which was directly related to the violent content of the lyrics. If those violent lyrics were routinely replaced by encouraging words from the parent related to anything from the child’s school work to the child’s chores around the house, large strides could be made in offsetting the negative words and influences in the media.
Violence in the media often centers on demeaning a person’s self-worth or destroying a person’s self confidence. Positive words of encouragement build self worth and build self confidence by giving each child the tools to achieve. Encouraging words help children gauge what is right and what is wrong, what is worthy of praise and what is not worthy of praise. Parents are able to guide this process, which leads to positive youth development.
The statistics related to media violence may seem daunting, but parents have the power to enhance their child’s self worth and increase their child’s self confidence by the words they use, the interactions they have and the values they instill in their children. Positive and encouraging words will convey to the children that they are loved unconditionally and that the messages in the media are not meant to be followed.
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Mark Arens, owner of ThumbPeople, Inc. & author of Thumbuddy Books & products, shares his heart on the importance of spending time together as a family. ThumbPeople provides traditional children’s products and books that help build and fortify strong relationships within the family. Building self worth and self respect within our children is vital. Visit ThumbPeople for more –>> http://www.thumbuddyspecial.com
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