Amanda+Distefano+Media+and+Violence

=Media and Violence: Is it everywhere?= Research, interview, and reflection done by Amanda Distefano on the topic of Media, Children, and Violence.

The simple answer is __yes.__
====Below is a video I selected because it shows how violence in media is very assessable to children eyes. From video games to pop up ads as well as in popular cartoons and everyday interaction, violence in encouraged in the media. The video is done by an average man who posts on YouTube from Canada and brings about some valid points artistically about violence in media.==== =Does Violence and Media Matter?= =media type="youtube" key="OjAd63ysFTI" height="215" width="353"=


 * ==== Name: Maureen ====
 * ==== Age:31 ====
 * ==== Children: Two (11 and 6 mo.) ====
 * ==== From: Fairmount section of Philadelphia, PA ====
 * ==== Occupation: Full Time Medical Assistant ====
 * ==== Race: Caucasian ====
 * ==== Physical or Physiological illnesses in Family: No ====

Interview
**Q: Do you believe that the media has an effect on childhood development?** A: Yes because of the type of programming. A: Yes. Children have curious minds and are impressionable. A: Yes. My own child has an attitude due to “being cool.” Some children also witness domestic violence and act a certain way. Exposure to violent music is a factor as well. A: The inner city A: No. It is equal. People imitate in society what they see on TV. You can not stop a child from witnessing something crazy in the world. There is no off button. A: Crime reports. A: Not that I see in short term effect, but maybe long term. A: Violence yes, but alcoholism and drug addictions one is born with.
 * Q: Do you believe violent video games and TV shows play into the development? How?**
 * Q: Do you notice negative attitudes and behaviors in children due to this? How? Who?**
 * Q: Where are these children from?**
 * Q: Does the exposure to home and community matter? Differ?**
 * Q: How would you measure the negative effect?**
 * Q: Does the attitude of a child change after game play or movie watching?**
 * Q: Do you think the media effects children in violent behavior, alcoholism, and drug addiction?**

Analysis
I conducted a survey with my cousin Maureen. Her stats, the questions, and the answers are listed above. The article we read for classes discussed topics of media violence. It talked about the transgression of aggression. This means that in some media violence does not intend to be viewed in a negative aspect and the creators will argue it is entertainment. This could also apply to the news programs that portray real life violence. For example, in fighting games you are rewarded for knocking out the enemy. However, in reality an actual person could die and you could be sent to prison for it. News programs are tough. There is a battle between projecting what actually happens and overwhelming minds with a harsh reality.

Fictional and non-fictional violence are relevant factors. The mind reacts to dramatic violence like sports and realistic violence such as crime differently. A child is more sensitive to the realistic crime. After interviewing a parent of two children who grew up in the inner city, my thoughts on measurement were questioned. The idea of measuring negative effects by crime stats is tricky. She believes that the media influence people to behave violently. She also viewed measuring media violence as a long-term effect. I think that if you are viewing the ways of society, short-term effects have a greater impact due to acting impulsively. If you play are submersed in violent video gaming and someone picks a fight with you, the reaction is different for some then if you are submersed in tranquil media. Your reaction may be to fight over just walking away. However, the question now is, does a “tranquil medium” exist. Also, if music and movies have such a great influence, it makes sense that children may turn to drinking and drug use to “be cool.”

It seems like parents are trying to find middle ground within these studies because parenting is a factor. The media can not be blamed solely because there are options of on and off. However, a parent can not monitor his/her child all the time and can not control what the outside world does. Awareness, communication, and understanding from the parent to the child are a solution. The community could also play a role through activist groups and organizations for children.