Brainwashing Americas Youth Over many years of research, studies have found that the television violence has increased. Certain role model type characters initiate most of these violent behaviors. These are usually very aggressive incidents and they very often include humor. The average American preschooler who watches mostly cartoons is exposed to over 500 high-risk portrayals of violence each year (DeGaetano). Youth violence has been growing throughout the years. Some effects noticeable in children are mean behavior towards others, aggressive actions while playing with classmates and toys, and also fear. Television has an important influence in the lives of children today. In many households it is the center of activity for the children, or acts as a baby-sitter. What goes on during these shows can have a great influence on a childs behavior, as children often imitate what they see. Three different types of shows include educational, cartoons, and all a prime-time comedies. A young audience watches all these. Television shows that I viewed included Barney and Friends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Simpsons. Barney and Friends is a show on PBS, and the show is geared at preschoolers. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a cartoon watched mostly by young boys. The Simpsons is a show which airs both at primetime and in syndication during early evening hours, more likely to be geared at an adult audience but children watch it too. Some acts of verbal and physical aggressions in these television shows are included in these programs, which were not really appropriate for children.Barney and Friends focuses on a big purple dinosaur playing with little children in a classroom. This was the least violent show, lacking any physical or verbal aggression. This show was basically about the children getting along with each other, sharing and singing. There was no name-calling or anything offensive for childrens eyes. Some simpl...
