Viewing violence

Study after study has shown that viewing media violence encourages aggression, desensitization, and pessimism in children. Most parents know that such violence is harmful to their children, but how harmful? And what can they do to help? Since children's exposure to violence in the media is not likely to end anytime soon, Viewing Violence offers parents clear answers and solutions to the problems created by media violence. Psychologist and mother Madeline Levine looks at the history of television and movie violence in the United States. She translates into everyday language the results of over four decades of research on the effects of media violence -- research that up until now has been inaccessible to most parents. Using a "developmental approach," Dr. Levine helps parents understand that children at different ages think about, understand, and experience the world in very different ways. An appreciation of these differences in how children "see" things is critical if parents are to make wise choices about what is appropriate and what is potentially harmful to their children. Using research findings, common sense, and personal experience, Dr. Levine demonstrates that violence is not generic -- and neither are children: the movie that may be instructive and appropriate for an eleven-year-old may be traumatic and overwhelming for a seven-year-old. Parents frequently underestimate the impact of violent television on their children and may be surprised at what children find upsetting. Dr. Levine argues that the issue of media violence is not trivial, that our society is increasingly at risk not only for higher levels of violence but for a greater tolerance and acceptance of this violence. In spite of efforts from both sides of the political spectrum to claim media violence as a political issue, Dr. Levine insists this is a parenting and citizenship issue. She looks at how parents, governments, schools, and the media itself can best approach the problem. The book concludes with a list of resources to help parents become active in media reform. Viewing Violence is a landmark work for both parents and all those concerned with the welfare of America's children. - Jacket flap.