In “Violent Media is Good for Kids” Gerard Jones introduces us to his fearful and lonesome childhood. He lived in a world where he was taught to be the violence fearing, and passive boy his parents wanted him to be. But, when one of his mother’s students gave him a Marvel comic book, his fearfulness was transformed into inspiration. He found a way to escape these discouraging feelings through the “stifled rage and desire for power” (Jones 285) that he had newly found. The popular comic book hero “The Hulk” freed him from his passive and lonely persona. Throughout the article he cites his testimonies and the testimonies of others as examples; and shows how they used violence as a positive realm for “overcoming powerlessness.” (Jones 287) Ultimately, Jones is trying to convey the message that violent media can provide kids with psychological tools for coping with the problems that they face as they grow. Although there are slight hints of biased evidence, “Violent Media is Good for Kids” should be considered for the top prize for persuasive essays. Jones proves to be deserving of the persuasiveness prize due to his success in refuting the alternative viewpoints. But, not only does he express how violence is beneficial, but he also concedes with the alternative view by expressing how “it has helped to inspire some people to real-life [crimes].”(Jones 287) Although he displays concession for the contrasting view, Jones strongly supports his own opinion by referencing his life experiences. This allows us to reflect on our own childhoods and remember the times of powerlessness and helplessness. When Jones generates the abnormal opinion that violent media can be constructive, he makes reference to a specified psychologist. Melanie Mo... ... middle of paper ... ...ssibly help more than harm. Experience has taught me that when a child walks in fear of expressing their feelings they bottle up all of their emotions; simply because they’re afraid of the consequences. Teaching children to appropriately use and appreciate violent media will help them build confidence, “power, and selfhood.” (Jones 287) He successfully executes the use of rhetorical methods and offers solutions to the opposing viewpoint. Jones’ consistent use logical and emotional appeal entices the reader and effectively persuades; this clearly substantiates his deserving of the top persuasiveness prize. Work Cited Jones, Gerard. “Violent Media is Good for Kids.” Analytical Writing: A Guide to College Composition 1. M. Clay Hooper.,D. Marzette., Beth Wade. Cengage Learning, 2011. 285-88. Print.
Violent Media is Good for Kids, by Gerard Jones, is an article which makes many claims to support the argument that a controlled amount of violence could be beneficial for a young, developing child. Even though the topic of this article can be controversial, the claims serve to support the argument in many noteworthy ways. It is written in such a way that it tells a story, starting when the author was a child and working its way to adulthood. In this case, the author uses, what I believe to be just the correct amount of rhetorical strategy, and fulfills his goal of writing the article. This argument is interesting and, at the same time, effective.
In “Violent Media Is Good for Kids,” Gerard Jones states that violence is good for children. Even with all the bad things people have said about the media and the effect of violence on kids, it has helped many kids reveal their feelings and their fears. In Jones article, he uses his own experience as an example of himself when he was a kid. Also, he uses his son and other kids experience as an example. Most kids use their imagination to pretend to be a protagonist they like. From reading this article it has helped me understand more that not all media violence are harmful for children. Violent media have helped kids express their feelings in a good way. With my own experience as a kid, I can relate to Jones experience. In his essay he uses diction, tone, organization and examples.
In “Killing Monsters”, Gerard Jones describes his personal experiences and his work with children to support his claim of violence in media being beneficial to children. He tells of his childhood and how during it, comic characters and violent fantasies helped him deal with his frustrations and problems. He also describes his interactions with different children and how they used violence to empower them and give them strength. Jones uses all this evidence to assert that violence in media helps children in many ways and shouldn’t be criticized the way it is. While I agree with Jones’ claim that violence in the media can be good for children, I think that his evidence is too personal and weak to strongly support an argument.
In today’s world there has been huge increases in violent acts being done. Kids are turning into to bullies, murders, thieves and more. This can be happening for many different reasons. One could say it is the way the children are raised, what they see going on in their neighborhoods, what they are watching on television, seeing online, or on their video games. Everyone reacts to things differently and the violent media kids see can have different effects on each of them. According to the article “Violent Media is Good for Kids” written by Gerard Jones, violent media and other forms of ‘creative violence’ help far more children than they hurt. Gerald Jones gives examples through the article on experiences that are personal to him where violent media has been helpful but he does not give enough facts to make the reader believe it helps more children than it hurts.
Jones, Gerard. "Violent Media Is Good for Kids." Mother Jones. 27 June 2000. Web. 16 Feb. 2014. Rpt. In Current Issues and Enduring Questions: A Guide to Critical Thinking and Argument, with Readings. 9th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2011. 195-99. Print.
In Gerard Jones’ essay titled “Violent Media Is Good for Kids”, he discusses the issue of media violence kids are exposed to. He personally believes violent media is good for children and their development. While many people may argue with him on his stance, he experienced violence as a child, even though his parents tried to shield it from him, and thus it resulted in him believing violence is acceptable for children (Jones 565). His belief that violence is good for children came from Marvel Comics, particularly the Hulk (565). Jones and Melanie Moore, a psychologist, agree violence stories “… to meet their emotional and developmental needs…” (Jones 566). Jones has created a program called Power Play, to enable children to tell heroic, combative, and powerful stories. However, he does believe violence has caused some real-life violence (Jones 567). Jones said that, ‘“I am going to argue that it’s helped hundreds of people for every one it’s hurt…’” (qtd. by Jones 567). Jones thinks American society has such a huge fear of ‘“youth violence’”, it has progressively made the fear into a reality (567).
The video hosted by Bill Moyer that we watched in class on March 4th involved violence in the mass media and the effects that it may have on children in modern day society. Video games sometimes display graphic violence as well as violent verbal messages that often convey a message of appeal to children. Movies often combine humor, violence, and/or sex in order to be more appealing to the audience. Usually two or more of these factors are used. Whether it is through these sources or as something as simple as the evening news, violence is everywhere in the media today and displays messages of approval that American society may not realize.
Jones, Gerard. “Violent Media Is Good For Kids,” Current Issues and Enduring Questions. Ed. Sylvan Barnet. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2011. 195-199. Print
“Some Things You Should Know About Media Violence and Media Literacy.” American Academy of Pediatrics. <http://www.aap.org/advocacy/childhealthmonth/media.htm>. 13 Dec 2003.
Levine, Madeline. "Media Violence Harms Children." Media Violence. Opposing Viewpoints. Ed. William Dudley. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 1999. 28-36.
Overall, violent media places our children in unnecessary danger. There is no way to end violence in the media, but by understanding its effects on children, society can develop new ways to protect our youth. Never before in history has media been so prevalent and accessible. Humans are most vulnerable and easily influenced when they are children. Yet, children are exposed to an unnecessary amount of gratuitous violence in the media for excessive amounts of time for a week (28 hours per week). This is time that could be spent playing outside and developing positive social skills; instead they it is spent learning violent behavior. This can potentially lead to aggressive and violent behavior in real life. Violent media has adverse effects on the development of children and can have a serious negative influence on their behavior.
Is exposing young children to violence in literature beneficial to their development? The article, “Does Violence Have a Place in Children’s Literature?”, by Megan Creasey delivers insight on how violence placed in children 's stories can be beneficial to their development. Creasey appeals to logic by providing statistics on why violence in literature can be a good thing. However, the article was lacking in diversity of point of views. Sources used by Creasey, compiled a clear image on the pros of violence in literature but, not on the cons. The information itself was well presented and coincide with Creasey’s thesis to show beneficial traits of having violence in children’s literature.
Teperman, Jean. "Toxic Lessons What Do Children Learn from Media Violence?" Children's Advocate newsmagazine. Online. www.4chilren.org/news/1-97toxl.htm. Accessed October 23, 2001.
First of all, when children see characters on TV or in movies triumph by using physical force, they begin to see violence as an acceptable way of resolving conflicts. As a result, children use physical or verbal abuse toward others on the playground or at school. Some parents often worry that their children will not fit in with their friends if they do not watch popular children's television programs. The same 20-year research tell us that children who watch more violent television are actually rated more poorly by their peers. Also, according to Dr. Jeanne Beckman, children who spend more time watching violent TV programming are rated more poorly by their teachers, their peers, have few problem-solving skills, and are more likely to get into trouble with
Kalin, Carla. Television, Violence, and Children. Media Literacy Review. University of Oregon College of Education, 10 May 2003. Web. 16 Oct. 2013.