Effects of Violence on Child Development - Term Paper Example

Effects of violence on child development Exposure of violence to children covers a broad area in our society particularly in the U.S. Some children are brought up in violent neighborhoods and this has a great impact on their development. In addition, contemporary issues such as drug abuse have contributed to an increase in domestic violence and this is also associated with a variety of developmental issues in children. It is also worth noting than the world is constantly changing and new innovations are being developed on a daily basis. In terms of modern innovations, the introduction of computers and the internet has exposed children to violence particularly through the development of violent games, movies, and pictures. This paper outlines how all these aspects of violence impacts on child development. According to Siegel and Welsh, "Nearly half of all children ages six and under have used a computer, and just under a third have played video games. Even the youngest children, those under two, are exposed to electronic media for more than two hours per day; more than 40 percent of those under 2 watch TV every day" (111). A methodical investigation conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2003 cited by Siegel and Welsh reiterated that most children under the age of six years spend two hours on average watching cartoons on television and using computerized gadgets in the U.S. and spend very little time playing outside with other children their age (111). The U.S. Department of Justice posits that one in every fifteen youths in the U.S. today have been exposed to domestic violence in past years (3). In a study cited by Hill, Mann and Fitzgerald, 52 percent of African-American teenagers reported to have seen a aggressive or brutal incident while in primary school (99). Siegel and Welsh mentions that social learning theory is based on the fact that children mould manners of actions as well as their personalities based on the characters they see on televisions, movies, and video games (111). Children learn from observation and hence are likely to take-in whatever adults are engaged in. It is difficult for them to different what is real and what is fiction at their age particularly if what they see in television is done by adults. This means the genesis of violent behaviors among children is likely to be from their favorite violent TV characters. To sum it all, Siegel and Welsh explicates that "Watching violent media may create changes in personality and cognition, which in the long term produces negative behavioral changes" (112) The U.S. department of Justice asserts that violence, especially domestic violence, have an impact on mental development of a child. This is explicated in terms of development of psychological problems such as post-traumatic stress and depression (2). For instance, a child who has witnessed a parent or a someone close to him or her use a deadly weapon to commit a crime such as stabbing is likely to commit a similar act in later life. These perspectives on violence shows that exposing children to violence at an early age poses a threat on their development. A lot is being done to mitigate the effects of violence on child development. Numerous programs have been introduced in organizations aimed at sensitizing parents on how they can teach their children ways of calling for help or assistance in cases of violence, either domestic or community violence. An assessment conducted in a Police Department by the U.S. Department of Justice showed that eleven percent of emergency calls were associated with domestic violence (3). Data on violence has been used in the creation of action plans as well as procedures for screening children exposed to violence aimed at creating intervention plans. Examples of interventions that have been introduced to help children exposed to various forms of violence include therapy aimed at helping them deal with their experiences. There has also been public awareness campaigns that have been projected towards educating the general population on how they can bring up their children without exposing them to violence (U.S. Department of Justice 8). There are also other solutions to this problem. In my opinion, community violence is largely contributed by poverty. High levels of crime are mostly prevalent in areas characterized by low economic status all over the world. In some neighborhoods for instance, incidents of robberies with violence are very common. Addressing poverty issues in my opinion can help cut down on violence within the society and hence children can be brought up in peaceful neighborhoods. Children brought up in peaceful environments are likely to take up or imitate constructive behaviors from adults. Subsequently, effects of violence of child development can be mitigated through the introduction of educational programs that focuses on the disadvantages and effects of violence on the society as well as on individuals. Children spent most of their time at school. Therefore, learning institutions can tremendously shape childrens behaviors. It is important to posit that since children are likely to practice what they have learnt from their favorite TV characters with other children, these incidents can be used to shape behavior. In other words, punishing children involved in violent activities at school can help them different good behaviors from bad behaviors. Using learning institutions as avenues to foster positive child development has both advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage is in relation to diversity. Each and every child experience different incidents in their lives in the course of their development. A form of violence within the community that one child has witnessed may be different from what another child has witnessed. Therefore, encouraging children to open up and discuss their incidents makes it possible for children to learn from each other. In such instances, teachers can take up the role of counselors or link up affected children or students to the help they need. In so doing, children are likely to develop and grow up with the ability to differentiate good from bad, and with skills and knowledge on how to deal with violent incidents. Children can on the other hand learn delinquent behaviors in schools if teachers fail to implement proper strategies. There have been many cases of bullying in schools whereby some children may even be discriminated based on ethnicity or the color of their skin. Children also learn at different rates. As a result, teachers may pay much attention on fast learners are fail to address issues affecting slow learners, meaning impartiality. On the basis of violent games and television shows, it is the role of parents to ensure that their children engage themselves in constructive activities. Traditionally, children used to spend much of their times playing outside with others as opposed to current trends whereby most children spend much of their time indoors watching television and playing computer games. In my opinion, encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities can promote positive development as it encourage them to socialize. In other words, outdoor activities promote physical, emotional, mental, and psychological development as children are able to exercise their bodies, socialize, and learn new things. This is because outdoor activities encourage children to explore their surroundings and therefore learn new things. However, this should be done in peaceful environments away from any violence. Parents can also buy non-violent games for their children but limit their the time spend playing them. Using nonviolent games to promote positive development helps children develop their problem solving skills as well as their creativity. This is attributed to the fact that many computer games involve solving problems. Problem solving skills can also help them learn the art of negotiation and hence prevent confrontations that may be violent. However, video games denies children the chance of exercising their bodies hence may contribute to lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes. In terms of community violence, children can also developed a sense of right from wrong through learning what their parents and neighbors address their problems. In cases whereby a parent or even an adult is involved in a violent incident infront of a child, it would be important to apologize and let the child see that he or she has apologized for the delinquent behavior. It would be good to make them understand that a person can learn from his or her mistakes through change of behavior. Through this technique, children can learn how to care for others and as well treat others with respect hence developing good behaviors as they grow up. This form fostering positive development can however give the wrong signal to a child that doing wrong and then apologizing is how things should be done. It does not show them ways to prevent violent behaviors. Domestic violence can involve harsh punishments whereby a child is abused verbally and physically. Forms of punishment administered to children can also impact both positively and negatively on children. Being lenient when punishing a child helps them understand that they are being punished on the basis of love and their parents need for them to change. Harsh punishments on the other hand teaches them how to be insensitive and cruel. Additionally, harsh punishments only hardens them and hence such children are likely to engage themselves in delinquent behaviors. Therefore, punishments ought to focus on teaching and giving instructions on alternative actions and behaviors. It would also be important as a parent to reward good behaviors and actions. For example, a parent can buy a toy for a child who treats others with compassion. This will encourage the child to always exercise good behavior. In my opinion, parents ought to be very observant and be more involved in their childrens lives in order to always be aware of people their children develop friendships with. Peer pressure play a huge role in shaping a childs behavior and character. Associating and spending time with delinquent peers also elevates the chances of a child engaging in delinquency. This will eventually give rise to well mannered individual in adulthood and hence future generations will be brought up in peaceful and nonviolent environments or neighborhoods. The Federal and State governments also have a role to play in reducing violence within the community. The Police can also introduce a program in schools whereby rehabilitated individuals or former criminals are asked to give speeches on their experiences to children in order to show them that crime does not pay. This will enable the children to develop socially in terms of morals and ethics. However, there is a disadvantage in this form of fostering positive development among children as some rehabilitated criminals may fall back into their lives of crime and recruit some of the children they know. The advantage of such programs is that children are able to learn firsthand from an individual who has been into crime and hence receive first hand information on how to stay away from crime. Law enforcers ought to be careful of individuals they engage in these programs. In conclusion, the kind of violence that impact on the development of children range from domestic violence, violent neighborhoods, playing violent video games, and watching violent television shows. A childs character and manner of behavior is molded buy what they see on recurrent occasions. In other words, growing up in a household where a father physically abuses his wife will create a wrong picture to the child that being violent towards women is right. Such a child is likely to engage in similar behavior. Ways that the effects of violence of childs development can be mitigated include creating strategies that address poverty, giving lenient punishments to children, buying nonviolent games that promotes positive development, and showing a child the importance of apologizing after a wrong doing. Works cited Hill, Nancy, Hiram Tammy and Fitzgerald Hiram, eds. African American Children and Mental Health, Volume 1. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2011. Print. Siegel, Larry and Welsh Brandon. Juvenile Delinquency: Theory, Practice, and Law. Belmont: Wadsworth, 2011. Print. U.S. Department of Justice. "Childrens Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Other Family Violence." Juvenile Justice Bulletin: National Survey of Childrens Exposure to Violence, 2011. Web. 6 Oct 2014. < http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/jvq/NatSCEV- Children%27s%20Exposure-Family%20Violence%20final.pdf> Read More