Violent Behaviour

FactIncept

 
The last tragic incident of shooting by a young boy at school in U.S had created an upheaval in whole world. Demand to rewrite US gun law dominated the world politics, but one question which somehow got ignored was, why juvenile and adolescents are involved continuously in such violent crimes. Few days earlier from this incident a 12-year-old student of Blanchester Middle School threatened to kill his principal Joel King. Following which he was arrested and taken to the Police; a complaint was filed in Clinton County Juvenile Court. Another news which got enough media attention was, when a 52 years old man was, convicted in a juvenile court for a 36 year old crime. An odd, but cent percent true case of New York City.

Rise in violent behavior by our youngsters who are seen as our future, is really a matter of serious concern. This complex issue must be carefully understood by parents, teachers, and other members of every society. Such aggressive behavior in a child at any age should be taken seriously. It should not be quickly dismissed as "just a phase they're going through!"  At any stage of life violent behavior can be marked with short explosive temper, threats, aggression, frequent fighting, violent thoughts, and cruelty towards animals. According to a report Juvenile crime in Mumbai, India rose scarily by 16% in 2011, and there was a jump of 13% in last 2 years. It is almost same in every city and country.

A latest research blamed violent video games and movies as primordial cause for violent behavior among children and adults. The National Rifle Association (NRA) in its latest research blamed films which are "blood soaked," like American Psycho and Natural Born Killers. The NRA is not alone in this accusation. The assertions that violent movies and video games cause kids to become violent have been made for a long time. But do these assertions on video-games and violent movies make sense?

Many researches lack any relationship between violent video games and Juvenile delinquency. Like US has the highest crime rate in the world but is on a lower side of consumption of violent game and media. On other hand Japan’s rate of homicide is almost zero but is avid video game consumer. There are several factors responsible for this increase in juvenile delinquency like economic problem, social causes and family situations. It can be said that violent games and media is not the only reason for violent behavior, but without any doubt they are one of the major factors helping to cause violent behaviour.

It is practical and can be seen in daily observation that television and films are powerful tools in shaping behavior. We often found our youngsters imitating the characters from film or game. Hundreds of researches had shown the effects of media violence on children and have accepted them as source which enhances aggressive behavior. Children gradually accept violence shown in them as a solution to their problems and imitate and identify what they observe in films and TVs.

Violent games are more harmful than violent films as video game is an active form of what films are passive. Video games are unique in the sense that they give players a chance to become a part of the game. Players live a character according to their will by choosing their powers and weapons (like knives, guns, pipes, bombs, etc.) for fighting. Video games demand an intense attention, which in long run increase child’s aggressive thoughts, hostile feelings and behaviors like they do in these games, which hampers and decrease their compassionate feelings. This effect can be easily viewed in their interaction with teachers, friends, and adults.

Psychology explains that behavior is a reflection of our collective learned things and most effective way to learn is watching people, family, elders and also from characters in movies, video games and television. Violent things around us increases mean-spirited behavior and for this reason psychologist never recommend a violent color in children’s room. Violent games directly reinforce violent behavior with rewards and appreciations like for example, when you kill your enemy you will be praised verbally with words like "Nice shot!" Or it clears you for next level. It is psychologically proved that reward reinforce the rewarded behavior.

Few steps to stop these reinforcements are-:

>> Keep a watch on the time they spend with television and games.
>> Keep them aware with fact that whatever they are watching is far away from real life.
>> So many times you cannot make an immature child to understand the difference between reality and fantasy, in this case strictly deny them to watch violent movies or playing violent games.
>> Say no to violent and offensive material.
>> Reinforce habits of good reading, playing out door games, and developing hobbies like painting dancing etc. 
>> Continuously monitor child's behavior after watching violence on TV/video games/movies.
>> Accept the fact; you do not understand all complex psychological and biological processes.
>> If your child is impulsive, aggressive, it is situation to keep extra watch.
>> Observe your child behavior before and after playing games or watching movies, and try to figure out if there are any negative or positive reactions to games.