The Negative Effects of Power Rangers on Children

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The Negative Effects of Power Rangers on Children

"Master Sword….. show your power." When Ranger Mike encounters trouble, he calls on his power source for a transformation. He is then empowered with sword in hand ready to fight the giant dinosaur from a distant planet (Haim, 1999). The show continues entertaining children with many more similar scenes of fighting. Children of all ages are attracted Power Rangers' television programs, movies, and toys. Because of the amount of violence, Power Rangers has raised concerns for parents and professionals.

Power Rangers are a group of teenagers who discover their call to save the world from injustice. When they need to fight they simply call upon their power, transform into a superhero then fight. They will fight by using karate chops and fancy moves of martial arts—flying and jumping through the air. Other than their karate moves, they are powerless unless they transform into their outfits—each uniform a different color. It is only by their super power god that they can access their powerful swords, and fight the enemy. After every act is won, they of course are unharmed, they transform back into their normal human beings and life goes on (Haim, 1999).

Some consider Power Rangers as harmless simply because it is a child's program and just a show. Contrary to this, evidence shows that it does harm children in more than one way. Children are not able to perceive it as fantasy, but rather real because of the real-live people and scenery. Whether the children perceive it as real or not, children are influenced heavily by the show resulting in aggressive behavior. Parents, teachers, and the Christian community notice the increased aggression and are concerned ...

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... National Association for the Education of Young Children.

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Marks, A. (1998). What Children See and Do: Studies of violence on TV. Christian Science Monitor 90 (99) 3. Retrieved October 26, 2001 from MAS Ultra School Edition.

Stanley, T.L. (2001). Power Rangers Still Have a Kick. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 25, 2001, from Newspaper database.

Teachers are beginning to fight back against Mighty Morphin Power Pupils. (1995). Curriculum Review 34 (6) 11, Retrieved October 25, 2001 from MasterFILE premier database.

White, D. (1999 June). “Violence is not Child’s Play: Parents fight an uphill battle in teaching non-violence to their children. Christian Social Action 12, 30-32.

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