Gerald Jones in his essay "Violent Media is Good for Kids" written in 2000, asserts that watching and playing violent games could have positive outcomes for the users. This is because there are stressful situations which are experienced by the characters and they have to overcome them through violence to survive. He also asserts that violent media can be used by adolescents and children to satisfy their emotional needs and if used healthily they can help children develop potential survival skills.
They can be used to help them overcome the hardships of life. He also argues that rage can be an energizing emotion. Anger can be used as a source of energy or motivation to overcome the harsh conditions which people go through in their lifetimes.
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It aims at changing the perspective which people have, that violent entertainment has only negative impacts and is harmful. This is due to the positive impact they have in structuring the potentials of children if used healthily. The target which Jones is addressing in his essay is parents and teachers. This article appears in a famous periodical journal. This can be attributed to the fact that violent games were established during the renowned culture 'pop culture' where children are exposed to different risks associated with crime and drug …show more content…
Watching violent media with superheroes helps children to develop superhero characteristics helping them to avoid feeling powerless.
Another argument is that violent entertainment has helped hundreds of people. This type of entertainment is important as it helps people develop superpowers, and helps them focus their rage and anger towards issues which thy face. He also argues that fear of youth violence is not founded on reality and this concern can do more harm than good. Protecting children from exploring their fantasies and desires inhibits them from realizing their potential.
In this essay, there are counterarguments which oppose the perspective of Jones. One of these arguments is by pop culture psychologists who argue that violent entertainment is harmful to kids. Similarly Savage (2004) counters Jones work by concluding that violent media encourages or correlates to violent behaviors. This is according to a study done by the American Academy of pedestrians. Although Jones could have discourse on his argument there is simply more bad than good from what he asserts. The modern-day children are highly influenced by what they interact with on a daily basis. If it's not friends then its video games, films, and music. When these daily interactions encourage crime, drug abuse, and sex these children are likely to grow knowing violence is good and for them to be considered cool they