Aggression in Children
Institution Affiliation
According to the article “Violent Media and Aggressive Behavior in Children” by LoBue (2008), violent content is increasingly becoming a daily phenomenon on television, most-watched movies, on the internet, and even in the children’s video games. This raises a concern and a question as to whether violent media contributes to aggressive behavior. It is a matter that needs parents and society to address. It is, therefore, necessary, especially with the mass shootings and violence in our societies.
Although in most cases, the matter is presented as debatable in the media, it is evident that exposure to violent media does make children more aggressive (LoBue, 2018). Children who are exposed to violent media, especially watching violent video games do not only imitate the actions they see but do so more aggressively. Reports tell that these behaviors can be extremely problematic where lethal weapons are involved like guns. Undeniably, children are exceedingly curious about firearms and my not have the knowledge to differentiate between a toy and a real gun. The article, in the same way as the book Psych by Rathus (2015), addresses social aggression. As a matter of fact, behavior shows that guns do not necessarily need to be included in the media to cause aggression. It is clear that the mere presence of a firearm, whether in the house or in the vehicles, makes people behave more aggressively.
A clear inference from the above is that if parents do not want their children to be aggressive or violent, they should keep them off violent media, including violent media games and toy weapons that can promote aggressive behavior. However, it does not imply that a child may not be aggressive at all without engaging in violent media since some children are, by nature, violent. It is a measure to prevent children from being violent, prompted by violent media.
References
LoBue, V. (2018). Violent Media and Aggressive Behavior in Children. Psychology Today. Retrieved from .
Rathus, S. A. (2015). Psych. Cengage Learning.