Violent Media is Good for Kids by Gerard Jones - Article Example

Topic: “Violent Media is Good for Kids,” by Gerard Jones The word violence is enough to instill fear and disgust in the hearts of people around the word, especially parents. No parents want their children to be violent. The societal fears about the contribution of the media that highlights violence, for overall increase in violent tendencies in small and big issues of life are well-founded. However, Gerard Jones argues that ‘violent media is good for kids’ just like cracking a hard nut is good for the teeth. No parent would want their children to be meek and submissive. A child has to learn to appreciate good and challenge evil with justice at various stages in life. According to Gerard violent media is an authentic tool that provides tough mental exercises and the healthy growth of children as it enables them to adapt to real-life situations. Gerard supports his argument through the use of his own childhood examples, strategies to apply violence, and examples of parenting techniques. The motivating factor for the author to pen this essay and come out in support of violent media is his own childhood when he was carefully prevented from having the firsthand knowledge about the dark sides of life. Using his own childhood as an example allows the reader to better understand the author’s stance on violence. Gerard explains that his parents told him what was convenient to them and him, and did not explain issues in the correct perspective. Since children have impressionable minds and are highly receptive, the way adults teach children is integral. For example, his parent’s tactics took him away from reality and instilled a sense of fear in him. He was not even allowed to mix freely with other children his age and his teachers also treated him as a protective monument. Reading and understanding about Gerard’s past helps the reader to realize why the author believes that the highest challenge is to face the realities of life and not avoid or duck them. This also helps to support his argument that children should know that there are two sides of a coin, and it is foolhardy to make them believe that there is only one side. This may go well, until they have the practical experience of handling a coin. When they come to know the reality, the one who provided them with the misinformation would become the laughing stock, which the children will look upon with indignation, even if they are their parents! Gerard also elaborates on proper strategies to apply violence in order to support his viewpoint. Doing this strengthens his argument as it offers specific tactics to tackle violence rather than just general ideas. For example, Gerard states that to know the art of self-defense is essential for children as they have to learn to meet a violent incident, should it befall on them, with confidence. The attitude of the parents to shield their children from possible violent situations is a negative approach. It is as good as taking the children to a sea shore and tell them that they will be allowed to take bath in the sea, when there will be no waves. Tell them that the waves shall be there always, the only question is how to tackle the waves and swim with courage; negotiate to reach the intended destination and develop right frame of mind to face the challenge squarely. The author points out emphatically that children need to be taught to rebel against the procedures that hold up the growth of their personality and individual talents, be it from the side of teachers or from the parents. They are part of the internet revolution and nothing can stop them from participating in it. Only by knowing merits and demerits of violence, they can transcend it. Ignorance about violence is dangerous and it may shape a society of cowards. Gerard further elucidates on strategies for applying violence by explaining that children form part of the combustible younger generation. Their age is their rage and they need to find suitable outlets for expressing their anguish over issues. They think that their temper is valuable and they often lose it to achieve their objectives. Suppression will lead to deterioration of their personality and may contribute to disjointed growth. For example, he explains how the contacts changed his perceptions and attitudes on violence and he cites the role of Marvel Comics, the character of Hulk, challenging the world in style for the injustice meted out to him. Hulk’s dispositions pierced the heart of Gerard, and channelized his latent literary genius. That was the beginning of the discovery of the journey of life, from rigid stance to moderation, and finally to find out the real identity. By elaborating on such strategies, Gerard is able to offer practical approaches to violent situations instead of a list of assumptions and recollections. Gerard also gives examples of parenting techniques to show how they can be effectively applied to instill bravery in children. For example, when his own son was afraid to climb trees, he showed him Tarzan comics, which inspired and helped him to get over his fear. This reinforces Gerard’s notion that media violence cannot be treated as an exclusive factor that leads to moral deterioration of children; it is inclusive with so many other influences that are part of the revolution in the area of entertainment. Sometimes these strategies might seem harsh to the parents but they are necessary to help the kids face challenges in their young lives. For instance, Gerard gives the example of a mother who exclaims, "Ive turned into the bad mom who lets her kid eat sugary cereal and watch cartoons!"(p.195) Gerard effectively uses his own childhood examples, strategies to apply violence, and examples of parenting techniques to illuminate and support his stance on violence. These all work together to help the reader to understand why he supports violence in media. Gerard’s writing offers a heavy stroke of the hammer, provoking reactions like—justification for violent media? Exposition of children to violence? Gerard’s own memories and examples show that his love for violence goes in tandem with his love for children. Gerard’s advice to the children is, remove thorn with the thorn. It is easy for the parents to make the children submissive by injecting repeated doses on morality, but it requires guts to tell a child, retaliation is the best answer when you are attacked. A brave child of brave parents will be happy at the recollections of the past, as to how he challenged the vicissitudes of life. No one is defeated in life unless one admits defeat and the child that has been sensitized about the values of violent reactions will have the last laugh. Work Cited Barnet Sylvan (Author) Bedau, Hugo (Author).Critical Thinking, Reading, and Writing: A Brief Guide to Argument; Bedford/St. Martins; Seventh Edition, July 14, 2010. Read More