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[ Managing Conflict ] [ Making Peace ] [ Media Violence ] [ Talking About Drugs ]
Self, Home, and Family: Protecting Yourself
Turning Off Media Violence
For too many people, violence is an ordinary way to be entertained,
settle arguments, or blow off steam.
Violence results when many different forces come
together, and we know that exposure to violence in the media can be one
of those forces. American children spend more time each week watching
television than in any other activity except sleeping. But violence
isn't limited to TV - it can be found in music, video games, newspapers,
comic books, radio broadcasts, magazines, movies, and the real world.
Exposing children to violence can make them less
sensitive to the pain and suffering of others, more fearful of the world
around them, and more willing to act aggressively. Fortunately, most media
violence can be turned off.
Take a hard look at what you and your family watch on TV
- action movies, talk shows, sitcoms, cop shows, and even news programs.
Ask the same questions about movies, video tapes, comics, and computer
and video games.
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What values are they teaching? Are the characters
racist, sexist, or stereotypical?
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Do they make violence appear exciting or humorous or
macho?
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Do they solve real-life problems without violence?
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Do the programs show how the victims of violence,
their families, and their friends suffer?
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Do the programs teach skills or convey unique,
valuable, interesting information?
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Technology Can Help
Hi-tech tools can help parents monitor what their
children are watching. The newest device being developed is the V-chip,
which allows the TV to be programmed to block shows that are rated high
in violence, sex, or other material not suited for young viewers. Many
cable companies already offer parents the option of "locking
out" channels they don't want their children to see. This is done
through scrambling channels (parents can access with a key), blocking
out specific cable channels on request, or using programmable remote
controls which can be overridden with a personal identification number.
Similar technology exists to filter Internet material.
However, nothing can take the place of
parents
when it comes to influencing children's habits.
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Ask teachers what they will be covering in the
upcoming school year. Look for TV specials and videos on the topics.
Talk to teachers or school librarians about videos that enrich your
child's studies in school.
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Use everyday viewing to tie into children's school
lessons. Ask them questions as they watch TV. Does today's news have
something in common with what's being studied in history class? How is
a television program different than a book on the same subject? How do
television producers get their message across compared to writers and
artists?
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Use TV to encourage your children to read. Sometimes a
child will get excited about something they viewed on TV. Follow up
that excitement by taking them to the library to check out books on
the same subject.
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If your child has a particular interest or hobby, tape
shows that relate to it. A budding ballerina may enjoy watching a
professional dance group perform or a child who collects and plays
with dinosaurs may enjoy a movie on how dinosaurs became extinct.
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Take action
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Turn off violent television, radio, and movies that
you think send dangerous messages to children about violence and its
victims. Tell radio and television stations and movie theaters about
your decision through calls and letters. Also use calls and letters to
thank the media when they show programming that portrays
positive, non-violent ways of solving problems. Encourage the media to
provide more family-related programming and show positive actions by
people to improve the community.
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Contact your local school to see if it has a mediation
or conflict resolution program. If not, help start one. You can get
information, training, and materials from colleges, community or
neighborhood dispute resolution centers, or national organizations
that focus on dispute resolution.
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Make one night a month a family night. Why not go to
dinner, go for a walk, take in a nonviolent movie, play board or card
games? Play volleyball, ping pong, or a game of catch, go to the
library, read aloud, or go through old family photos and slides? Ask
everyone in the family for suggestions. |
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Don't buy products whose advertisements glorify
physical or verbal violence. Write the manufacturer to express your
concern. Check product packages or call your local library for
addresses.
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Work with a local church, business, or civic group to
sponsor a violent toy turn-in drive. Ask a local business to donate
gift certificates for a nonviolent toy, a book, or sports equipment. |
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