Gerard Jones's 'Violent Media Is Good For Kids'

“Violent Media is good for Kids” is an article which attempts to persuade the reader that violence (if used in the correct manner) can help children more than it hurts them. Famous comic-book author Gerard Jones claims that gory video games, comics, and cartoons may do a thing or two in helping to increase a child’s self-confidence. Jones says ‘creative violence’ can help by “giving kids a tool to master their rage.” In this time and age parents are more than ever protective of what their child watches, hears, or even comes into contact with. For all the right reasons including the ‘thug’ culture that was first displayed in hip-hop music but now throughout entertainment even including cartoons such as The Boondocks, Family Guy, and The Simpsons.
Even in the public setting America has seen its fair share of violence in schools. So it's not surprising that parents are overwhelmed with the fear that one day their child might get entangled in this mess. But Jones urges us to think the other way. How about all the children who are bullied each and every day in classrooms? Isn’t this a more ‘common problem’? How about the many civilians that are approached by thieves or burglars who steal their most prized possessions? Watching violence may teach our children to stick up for themselves. Jones uses both himself and his son as prime examples of how ‘violence’ built their confidence till one day they weren’t scared to face their fears. Whether their fear was to stop being socially awkward, and being able to climb a tall tree.
I was especially fond of Jones’s creativity in not using the overused example of “standing up to a bully.” As a child Jones describes himself as “small and puny” unable to face any of his fears. Then one day his mother’s friend suggested that she bought The Hulk comics for Jones. Beginning that day Jones describes his delight to fulfill his inner rage and relate it to the Hulk. Jones claims that this is his inspiration to one day becoming both a famous action movie film writer and comic book writer. As he interviews and comes across children who have also been inspired by his works he says they all had one thing in common, they overcame personal fears as “people pulling themselves out of emotional traps by immersing themselves in violent stories.” In modern society where rage is absolutely opposed, so many kids are unable to release their rage. Where is all this bottled up anger supposed to
go?
Jones’s son on the other hand was introduced with violence right from birth (no shock here right?). Jones explains how his son got through preschool watching dinosaur cartoons then used Power Rangers to help with kindergarten. But one day at school while all his peers were climbing the tall tree he was afraid. Afraid of any worms which may climb onto his skin, any sharp branches, and the worst of all his friend’s ridicule if he did climb but fell. After arriving home that day Jones introduced Tarzan to his son. The tough, muscular, and ‘violent’ character who lived off of climbing trees. After two weeks of indulging and immersing in Tarzan the son confidently went to school and was able to climb the tree willingly! This is what Jones preaches throughout the article. If used and taught correctly violence can and will teach self-confidence to kids.
Atop of the great writing, Jones ethical appeal refers to credibility. Jones introduces the paper by explaining how modern society rejects of any sort of violence. Specifically how his English teacher convinced his mother long ago the effects of violence on the young mind. Then he explains how his parents who raised him in the 1960s literally shielded him from any source of entertainment to “build a wall between me and the crudest element of pop culture.” Later in the article Jones explains the fear of parents being heightened by recent school shootings. Some pop psychologists even claimed that kids should stay away from violent stories. The ironic part is that these shootings are done by adults and adolescents who were raised in a violence-free environment. If the last generation of parents kept their children completely exiled from any forms of entertainment, could this not be a problem? Apart from his writing Jones also began a research recently with Melanie Moore, a PhD psychologist.
In this research Jones and Moore look for how violent children stories help children develop confidence. How it can help them fulfill both their developmental and emotional needs. Moore and Jones created a Power play program which help kids realize their self-worth by having those reading books such as Tarzan, Hulk, and Superman. These books instill that the child can imitate whatever the hero does. The hero who is ruthless and brave does not let anything or anyone stop him/her from achieving their goal. From just reading these stories the child can feel that they can take over the world and nothing can stop them. Pretending to be a hero helps a child conquer fears which can come from being so little, small, and powerless due to such great dependency. Children are also able to fight back against bullies, fears, and great dependency which they can mold into
independency. Throughout this research it is shown the kids only developed well human behaviors. None seemed to want to hurt someone which is the image parents receive when they hear about violence. In a world filled with uncertainty and doubtfulness, children should be able to confront their problems and have someone to help them. Being non-violent has many setbacks such as bullying, burglary, and even death if completely vulnerable. Children who are able to stand up to their problems are much fit to grow up in today’s society. If the child is incapable of standing up to their fears it creates much chaos in the small world they own. Looking at this issue like this has opened up the reality of solutions created by facing our issues. When our children are constantly told to stay away from things or not associate/communicate with certain groups it leaves them clueless as to what to do when the situation presents itself. Jones has done a terrific job using both his writing skills, relevant examples, and a thorough research. This leaves the reader with thinking opposite of what they have been programmed to think for so long. With this new way of thinking maybe violence can decrease and our children could be much more confident.