Effects Of Media Violence Essay

I think it is common belief to say violence on television is very impressionable on its young viewers. Of course, to ask a child this imposing question would result in a stern denial; as I did when I received such a preposterous inquiry as a young one. To believe that any outside input as such that had an affect on the way I saw to conduct myself was ridiculous to me. I was an individual. Nothing but me could knowingly change my intentions. But here I am now, years later thinking (even though I dread the notion of it) that it is true some people take in the chaos they see on screen and reflect it in the way they act, even my-unimpressionable-self.In Diane Brady’s cover story over TV’s influence of behavior a preschool teacher, Terry Harrison, is quoted saying “…that the sound of a three-year-old boy yelling ‘Cowabunga’ is a war cry that can unleash chaos in the classroom. ‘Suddenly, we are faced with a little gang of Ninjas trying to kick each other in the face…”’ ( 1 ). I was a Teenage Ninja Turtle fanatic. I was in the fan club. I always pretended I was Donatello because both our names started with the same letter, naturally. Though I secretly enjoyed Leonardo’s double sword wielding fighting style better, but I settled with Don’s stick. As I look back, I realize what a violent kid I actually was. My daycare years, my friends and I would spend having daily wars with the older kids. Not pretend wars but actual fights and skirmishes between the two gangs of hooligans. I can not even begin to count how many times I jump kicked other little kids. With my jump kicking people left and right and spewing out obscenities I did not understand I found myself spending a lot of time in the corner. So, knowing that, I can no longer claim that my infatuation with the Ninja Turtles and Karate Kids in no way caused me to act out a little as I thought my idols might. I can completely agree with Mary Morrison where Diane Brady quotes her, “Television is not reflecting the world, but the world is starting to reflect television” ( 1 ).Extended amounts of graphic violence on TV is now worried of the desensitization of the public from actual violence to other people, which many believe causes some to be more violent themselves (“Media Violence” 3-4). I believe desensitization can go both ways. I think it can be somewhat helpful in preparing people to deal with the sometimes harshness of reality; where we see violence and it is not so shocking and disturbing as to scar...