Does Viewing Television Increase Aggression?.
I love watching television, although I have found that I do not have as much time as I used to. Cartoons are my favorite and I have noticed that Nickelodeon has some of the best cartoons I have seen, they may have no point whatsoever but none-the-less I crack up every time. Yet I see myself changing the channel when my nine year old sister walks into the room. Because even though I can distinguish the difference between right and wrong and make believe and actual events, I am not sure that she can completely do that herself. This is why I agree with Centerwall's argument. I feel that television violent or not has a great impact on all people especially children. Centerwall also believes that television has a huge impact on the amount of violence that is shown in children. He believes that this television caused violence stays with them throughout life and can affect how they act as adolescents and adults. He also feels that there should be controls in the amount of violence that is allowed on TV or at least that there be some kind of controls for parents to monitor what their child is watching.
Centerwall has two main arguments to defend his beliefs about television violence. His first argument is that children imitate almost everything they see and hear adults or other people do. An imitation of adult's facial expressions has been noted in newborns only a few hours old (Centerwall, pg 128). Even though these children are able to mimic the things they witness, many are unable to discern between moral right and wrong. "The average American preschooler watches more than 27 hours of television per week up through ages 3 and 4 most children are unable to distinguish fact from fantasy on TV" (Centerwall, pg 128). Centerwall also supports his claims by presenting the many different studies that have been done that have evidence supporting his claims.