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analyze violence as a real problem.
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inform people about dangers of violence.
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warn people about violence effects.
Violence in our children
starts at home. Children brought up in safe, warm, and healthy environments
tend to be less violent. As you can imagine, children who see violence at home
are more likely to accept it as normal and continue with that violence both
inside and outside the home. Also, children who have a lack of discipline are
also more likely to become violent.
Parents,
however, are not all to blame. Cartoons and TV shows show an increasing amount
of violence today. Children are watching TV too young, and are not watching age
appropriate shows. They say that children under the age of 3 should not watch
TV at all. However, I know this isn �t the practice some parents use in their
homes. Children are stuck in front of the TV while parents cook meals, check
other kids homework, etc.
TV
shows become addicting to children. They grow attached to a
favorite character, animal, or show and think that show is life. Children, especially toddlers and preschool
age, are not yet aware of the difference between the TV shows and reality. Even
movies today are violent. My son loves the movie Cars. I thought there would be
no violence for a kid’s movie. However, when one car rams into the other one on
purpose, causes a major crash, and laughs about it, what is this teaching? It �s
teaching them that it �s OK to harm someone else to win or get what you want.
Children
also see violence directly from their parents. Parents or couples who fight or
argue around their children are sending the message that this is OK behavior.
They are more likely to hit or yell at their siblings and friends because it �s
"OK" at home. Children that grow up in an abusive household are also
more likely to become violent. We need
to show respect and courtesy to everyone in the household. Keep arguments quiet
and behind closed doors, where children cannot be made privy to it. Talking out
your problems is OK in front of the kids as long as the words are chosen wisely
and more complicated subjects are left for another time.
Now,
children do see and witness violence outside the home from friends, friend �s
parents, and even on the street. But it is up to us as caregivers, parents, and
family to teach our children right from wrong. It is up to us to
make sure that outside influences do not bring up our children.
