Children and Modern Society - Essay Example

Children and Modern Society” With the change of culture and trends, people have changed their attitudes and habits too. The increasing competition, status consciousness, high emphasis on the consumption of branded articles and more importance given to materialistic things has changed the overall picture of the society. People are now more motivated to compare their lifestyles with their associates. They are more inclined to compete and somehow defeat others. People are now failing to distinguish between right and wrong. Similarly, they are pushing their children to win in every walk of life. In some areas, it can be seen as a good move towards a brighter future of their children. However, we cannot neglect the darker side of this issue. Children are motivated to win the games and to get the highest grades in the class. This sense of competition and urge to win leads them to win by any means. It diverts their attention from playing well. They are less motivated to gain knowledge but to get the grades. They are less motivated to help others but to defeat them. This competition doesn’t limit to the grounds of sports and studies but further affects the whole lives of children. This paper would further explain how children and their priorities have changed due to the changes in the society. Nowadays, the importance of media in our lives cannot be ignored. Media is somehow responsible for the changes in society. Children are more likely to adopt the behaviors and fashions shown in the television programs. “It is clear that heavy exposure to media violence causes an increase in the likelihood of future aggressive and violent behavior” (Chaves, 2008 p. 148). It is a scientific concept that media is not the only cause of aggressive behaviors and violence however, it is proved that heavy exposure to media violence increases the chance of future aggressive and violent behaviors. Media exposure and advertisement of unhealthy food on television, internet and outdoor mediums is contributing to increased probability of child obesity. Children desire to eat what is being advertised in an attractive way on television, internet and videogames. They even try to get access to that food stuff which they find in their favorite movie or video game. They also try to consume the most popular brands to show their prestige and high living standards. The results of a number of studies and experiments conducted in regards to find out the role of media in increasing smoking habits in adolescents. The advertisement on television, magazines, video games and internet grabs the attention of children and acts as a strong motivational force for them to light a cigarette. They get fascinated to the glamorous way in which the advertisements are made. Television and movies are supposed to have a great impact on alcohol consumption in adolescents. Children, who watch more television, are likely to have increased chances of alcohol consumption. Regardless of the grade of movie, media is continuously exposing alcoholic beverages as a source of fun and fashion. Media is contributing to the likelihood of early sexual initiation in adolescents. Media is influencing the psychosocial environment by sexual exposure on television, music videos, internet and movies. Television is a great cause of adolescents violent and aggressive behaviors. Children who watch aggressive and violent movies are likely to behave aggressively and choose violent games to play than those who do not watch television or violent shows (Chaves, 2008). The problems of smoking, alcohol consumption, violent and aggressive behaviors are severe and need attention to be solved. Media is harming the social, psychological and ethnical condition of adolescents. Media must be used as a helpful technique to stop health compromising habits like smoking, drinking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity etc. (Douglas Evans, 2008). Violence is very common in todays world. News is the most common mean of media which exposes violence. In other words we can say that society is full of violence and aggressive behaviors since the news exposes the real but exaggerated picture of our society and crimes. The exposure of such crimes and violent behaviors are resulting in violent and aggressive attitudes of youth and is continuously harming our society. This violence has been increasing ever since media has started to expose violence in almost every program from the movies for youngsters to the news channels. Since the late 90s, media has made the kidnapping incidents its major subject. Kidnapping is one news topic that the media tend to sensationalize. Since the late 1990s, the number of stories about child kidnap­ping in the news has been on the rise. In 1997, for example, 40 percent of juvenile kidnappings were perpetrated by a family member, 27 percent by an acquain­tance, and 24 percent by a stranger (Wilson, 2008). Children take inspiration from their siblings, parents, friends, teachers and ones they really like or love. The relationship between a child and parent is an important one and the parent is a great source of influence for the child. Through the observation of ancestral and parental habits children pick up the influential practices. Parents, having a great influence on their children, give them a reason to drink (Wilks et al., 1989). Research has shown that the relationship of drinking between parents and children is highly related (D. Herd 1994). Parents must watch ethical movies, programs and news with the children and must explain them the brighter side of the story. Parents are the source who can help their children and reduce the factors that negatively affect children and their physical condition and psychological behaviors. Parents may help children from escaping their fears if they explain them about the special effects used in the horror movie or game. According to Wilson, parents must monitor and help children get rid of fearful, unhealthy and negative influences while connected to any kind of media. Parents are an essential part for the children in getting negative or positive lesson from media. Parental guidance is necessary for helpful and useful outcomes as a result of media usage by their children. Different experiments and researches taken place have clearly illustrated that watching violent shows on the television alters the thinking of a child. It makes the child more socially aggressive in the future. “The television violence aggression link turns out to be larger than the link between lead exposure and children’s IQ.” (Wilson, p101). According to the research conducted if children are exposed to a large quantity of lead their brain can get damaged. Their ability to think and concentrate can also be affected if they are exposed to lead. It can lead the children’s brain to perform hyper activities and therefore move towards the path of aggression. In conclusion, we can say that materialistic approach to defeat others on the grounds of money-oriented things is a common obsession in today’s world. Children adopt the behavior and lifestyle of people around them. It is also evident that media is one of the most important factor that contributes towards the positive or negative effect on children’s lives. Easy and cheap availability of unhealthy stuff, like drugs, alcoholic drinks and cigarettes is also a threat to the society and needs attention. Bibliography: Evans W.D. (2008). Social marketing campaigns and childrens media use. Future of Children. 18 (1), 181-203. Wilson B.J. (2008). Media and childrens aggression, fear, and altruism. Future of Children. 18 (1), 87-118. Escobar-Chaves S.L., & Anderson C.A. (2008). Media and risky behaviors. Future of Children. 18 (1), 147-180. Herd DA. (1994). The effects of parental influences and respondents norms and attitudes on black and white adult drinking patterns. Journal of Substance Abuse. 6 (2), 137-54. Wilks J, Callan VJ, & Austin DA. (1989). Parent, peer and personal determinants of adolescent drinking. British Journal of Addiction. 84 (6), 619-30. Read More