This paper reviews three articles discussing the issue of children being bombarded daily by advertising, and the effect that these advertisements have on our children, and society as a whole.
2,025 words (approx. 8.1 pages), 0 sources, 2006, $ 80.95
Abstract This paper discusses how advertising has become a ubiquitous part of our culture, such that it is close to impossible to get through a day without being targeted by advertising of one kind or another. Moreover, none of us finds this very surprising, given that we live in such a materialist, consumerist society - our economies are fuelled by conspicuous, largely inessential consumption. But what does this mean for the innocents in our society, the young children? This paper reviews the research that has been done on this matter.
Abstract This paper discusses the specific roles that children play in society. It looks at it through the social constructions people have of children and discusses the way that children affect culture whether it is by advertisements or through the ideologies that children have. The paper also looks at the reasons why children are important in a society.
From the Paper "More parents must take their ideology even when it is difficult to tell their children no. Children should not be empowered to do whatever they want or to receive all the things they want. Parents must be the dominant ones. The media may use a form of hegemony to get the attention of children, but it is the parents place to refuse their children at times. Parents must be able to take the gazes that their children have and let them know who does have the power. Otherwise, more children will become unproductive adults who have little knowledge of responsibility or how rough life can be. In your family, who has the ideology?"
Abstract This paper discusses the impact that the media has on children and society. The paper also discusses the idea that due to television and the media, childhood has disappeared.
From the Paper "Gauntlett (1998) disagrees. He believes that researchers go about their studies the wrong way. Instead of looking to the media as influencing and encouraging violent behavior, we should be looking at social factors like poverty, unemployment, and abuse. He cites a study of young offenders who watched the same TV programs as non-offenders. When they were asked to name someone on TV they would want to be like, they were unable to name anyone, and according to Gauntlett, this shows they were not very involved with television watching, yet they engaged in violent behavior. He believes the "effects model" of research treats children as though they were unable to think for themselves. Researchers often view children, he says, as other. They define children negatively in terms of what they cannot do, while research that seeks to establish what children can do shows that children are really sophisticated about the media and therefore not that influenced by what they see. "
Abstract This paper discusses how the existence of pornography is not a new phenomena and has, in fact, existed in human society through the ages. It looks at how the widespread availability and easy access, coupled with the increasing trend towards violent, aggressive pornographic material, poses a risk to wholesome societal values and how this is particularly true in the case of children who are exposed to pornography, especially child pornography, in their formative years. It examines how there is considerable research evidence that pornography results in adversely affecting the psychological development of children, with far reaching consequences in terms of their ability to later function well as adults. Since children are the future of any society, it is critical that adequate measures be taken to ensure the healthy and well-rounded development of children in order that they grow up to be productive, humane citizens. One such measure is to ensure that children grow up free of the harmful effects of exposure to pornography.
From the Paper "Protecting children from the harmful effects of exposure to pornography, however, is easier said than done considering that society, including legislative and scholarly opinion, has yet to reach a consensus on whether pornography does, in fact, have significant harmful effects on human sexual and social behavior. For instance, public opinion including some social commentators, are of the view that pornography is primarily a form of entertainment and essentially harmless, even if it is sexually arousing. To support their point of view, they claim that there is no conclusive scientific evidence that pornography is harmful. Even the United States Supreme Court distinguishes between pornography and obscenity, with only the latter being unprotected by the First Amendment."
Abstract This paper examines how both male and female children in our society are socialized from a very young age to behave in specific, predefined ways that are considered to be appropriate for their genders. It looks at how, beginning with the parents of children and then including many other influential factors in society, many sources define what type of behavior is to be expected from children of each gender. Male and female children of all ages are given guidelines to follow regarding proper interaction with others and acceptable behavior in social situations.
From the Paper "A reflection of how gender roles are determined and enforced in society can be seen in a number of sources. For one example, research has shown that children's literature is influenced by gender role definitions, as well as helping to make and encourage those definitions. ? In children's literature, males typically are portrayed as competent and achievement oriented, while the image of females is that they are limited in what they do, and less competent in their ability to accomplish things. Female characters are involved in few of the activities and assigned few of the characteristics or goals that are accorded prestige and esteem in our society.? (Kortenhaus) This separation of the abilities of boys versus girls in something as influential as children's literature creates something of a self-fulfilling prophecy."
Abstract This paper explores the topic of television violence and the impact it has on children. In recent years there have been increasing allegations that television violence is having a negative impact on child development. The writer begins with an overview of the problem, looking at specific examples of television in America. Next, the paper defines some key terms for understanding the topic as well as providing a background about why this topic is important to society. The writer concludes by arguing that children are not developmentally advanced enough to separate fantasy from reality and that the increased violence they are seeing on television is creating more violent and aggressive children.
From the Paper "In recent years there have been increasing allegations that television violence has a negative impact on child development . There have been school shootings, children acting out both at home and in classrooms and other developmental traits that have been laid and the feet of television violence".
Abstract This paper presents the argument that children in the U.S. do not actually benefit from their current status. The paper argues that, while the law entitles children and families to many benefits, in reality, it is children who suffer from the growing poverty rates, poor education and health systems, and general degeneration of the U.S. society. Specifically, the writer believes it is the fault of parents who bring children into the world without realizing the responsibility that goes with it.
From the Paper "Our society has good intentions and good people who espouse them, yet the reality of our situation rests on our shoulders. Our children bear the weight of poverty and self-reliance with our best intentions. When our children could understand their contribution to the family, they could understand their place in it. Perhaps they would not eat if they were unwilling to help bring the harvest to safety. The lines are not as clear today. What is their contribution? We have children and ignore them, or we bury them in stuff. They have no sense of purpose in the family as the family has no sense of purpose in itself."
Abstract This paper discusses the issues involved in raising children to be productive members of society. The paper contends that, in addition to whatever innate qualities a child is born with, as children grow up, they are exposed to a variety of environments. The effects of these environmental influences are described. The paper presents an observation of interactions between adults and children in order to demonstrate that a variety of methods exist to socialize our children.
From the Paper "It could be argued that the goal of raising children is to produce adults who function well in society. However, a quick look at the evening news or a newspaper tells us that some children turn into productive adults who function well while others, even as children have great difficulty conforming to society's most minimal standards. Some people even as children act with aggression and hostility; for instance, researchers report in instance of two ten-year old children recently convicted of murder (Scott, 1998). We know how to raise well-socialized children in theory."
Abstract Children learn as they grow. They learn through their education at school, they learn from the things they see on television. They learn through experience, by exploring the world around them. In addition, they learn from their parents. The paper shows that parents teach their children not only in what they say to them, but also by their actions. This process is called modeling. This paper discusses how children learn gender roles and the roles those genders play in society by watching their parents modeling the behaviour.
Abstract This paper demonstrates children of divorced parents may experience anger, withdrawal, rebellion and sometimes even poor academic performance. The paper argues that some school violence may be a result of broken homes. These children are greatly affected by their parents divorce which often results in long term psychological issues.
From the Paper "Long ago were the days when there were more intact marriages than divorce. In today's society, divorce is as common as catching a cold. Unfortunately, divorce is often followed with negative effects. Some people end their marriage amicably while others end up in messy court battles. However, divorce can be damaging when children are involved. Children are often the innocent victims of custody battles, witnesses to parental fighting, and subject to a rearranged, single-parent household. Children of divorced parents may experience anger, withdrawal, rebellion and sometimes even poor academic performance."
An exploration of the societal views on juveniles in the articles "Learning From Explaining: Does it Matter if Mom is Listening?" by B. Rittle-Johnson, et al and "Psychology and Society: An Overview" by Jeroen Jansz.
Abstract The paper examines two articles, "Learning From Explaining: Does it Matter if Mom is Listening?" by B. Rittle-Johnson, et al and "Psychology and Society: An Overview" by Jeroen Jansz, which respectively discuss today's view on parenting and the emergence of modern society and its treatment of children. The paper compares past societal views, norms and practices with more modern views and shows how in today's society, the community, school, church, and family tend to treat the acts of juvenile delinquents in a reformative and restorative way that allows them to become a productive member of society.
Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Today's View on Parenting and the Child's Learning
Compare and Contrast
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The work of Jeroen Jansz entitled: "Psychology and Society: An Overview" states that during the period spanning 1775 to 1920 that "individualizing tendencies that had previously emerged were further intensified. 'Traditional' society with its emphasis on the family and the village was gradually replaced by a modern society that emphasized the individual rather than the collective." (Jansz, nd, p.22) Modern society (1800-1900) is stated to have "generated new forms and conceptions of individuality...[as well as witnessing] "...a dramatic expansion of attempts to monitor and control the populace..." also known as "social management." (Jansz, nd, p. 24) This was the second development following individualization that would "prove to be crucial as a breeding ground for the social sciences in general, and psychology in particular." (Jansz, nd, p. 24) During this period of history, custodial institutions were the solution for individuals who were "socially deviant...in particular for the mentally disturbed." (Jansz, nd, p. 24)"
Tags: delinquency, parenting, upbringing, children
Abstract A discussion of the negative and fewer positive effects that television has on children and their language skills. Several propositions seem undisputed by all the researchers such as: children are the largest audience for television, television is a continuing interest for most children, and television can provoke a response in children. This paper concludes that television can invigorate the vocabulary of children, encourage their reading, and inspire their writing.
From the Paper "Without doubt, television influences the mental processes and speaking habits of young people who may develop their language skills in the family den as much as they do in the classroom. Indeed, statistics abound on the television habits of children. High school seniors will have watched about 15,000 hours of television by the time they graduate (1986 Nielson Report as cited in Powell 41). To gain perspective, Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet put it this way: "By the time the vidkids matriculate at their favorite institution of higher learning, almost one-half of their waking life will have been spent being Superseted, Chromacolored, and Colortaked" (22-23). Sister Rosemary Winkeljohann reports this incident: A few seasons ago, on an episode of "Happy Days," Fonzie got a library card as a small part of the overall story. The producers thought nothing of it until they later learned that librarians all over the country were swamped the next day with children coming to the library. Children who had never used the library facilities now wanted library cards! (100) "
Abstract A comprehensive analysis of the legality of parents denying their children access to health care on the basis of their involvement in a "faith healing" religion such as Christian Science or Faith Tabernacle. The paper explains that for some residents of the United States, traditional medicine is not religiously acceptable in the face of sickness. On the contrary, these residents are so strongly against medicine that they will not even allow their children to see a doctor if they suffer from life threatening illnesses. It discusses how many followers of these religions are denying the use of traditional medicine and joining a movement that shies from what society considers the norm for treating sickness by putting their belief in God's ability to heal their family's illnesses. The paper argues however, that parents' religious convictions about the disuse of any type of medicine for their children should not be allowed as a legal means of denying their children this medicine because these convictions often cause the needless deaths and suffering of many children whom medical care would have helped.
From the Paper "For centuries America has debated to what extent church and state should be separated. More recently the argument about the disuse of medical treatment for religious reasons and the resulting deaths of the children of certain religious organization's followers has arisen. Since the seventeenth century when settlers came to America to escape religious persecution and seek religious freedom, the issue of separation of church and state has been in debate (Council 1). However, not all religions were given equal rights before the Bill of Rights was created: in Boston anyone preaching outside the established church could be fined or banned from the settlement (Weiss 11). Also, in areas that practiced South Anglicanism, those who spoke out against the Christian faith were sentenced to death (Weiss 11). However, the first amendment to the American Bill of Rights, which was passed in September of 1789, changed these discriminatory practices on a federal level and caused less religious discrimination to occur (Weiss 31). This amendment states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (Bartlett 3). This amendment did not, however, guarantee the protection of United States citizens from state religious discrimination; but the fourteenth amendment, which was passed at a later date, did (Weiss 32). Opponents for and against parents' rights to deny their child medical care based on religious convictions are eager to solve the question of the relationship of church and state and the necessity of parents to obtain medical care as required by state governments. This issue has thus become a pressing argument that must be solved quickly because many children's lives are at stake."
A look at three children's books: E. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner", and C.S. Lewis' "The Magician's Nephew" and how they reflect children of that period.
Abstract This paper looks at children's literature in Great Britain in the first half of the 20th century and considers whether children's books of that time gave access to the voices of children of that time. The books consulted are E.E. Milne's "Winnie-the-Pooh" and "The House at Pooh Corner", and C.S. Lewis's "The Magician's Nephew". In conclusion, the author of this paper states that even in books written about children and for children, children seem to be all but mute due partly to the various agendas of their authors.
From the Paper "The first half of the 20th century was a dynamic and volatile time historically for Great Britain, given that during this time Great Britain played a primary role in two world wars, and also that - at the time - it was the most dominant nation in the world, with a huge colonial empire that spanned the globe. By the end of this period, Great Britain had begun to be eclipsed by the USA, as the USA leveraged its scientific and military might to gain global ascendancy. Also during this period began the huge changes associated with decolonization, as nation after nation claimed independence. This of course had a massive impact on Great Britain, as her colonial possessions were part of what made the British nation rich, powerful and strong. All in all, it was a time in which British power and control was slipping away. Yet at the same time, many Brits still retained a self-image of themselves as rulers of the world, and assumed that British standards of morality, decency and behaviors were universally valid (Cannon). This self-image, as we shall see, comes through more clearly in children's books than do the authentic voices of children."
Abstract The paper quotes Manchester (2003) who contends that women who murder their children often suffer from postpartum depression, causing women to believe there is no hope of an adequate future for themselves or their children. The paper discusses how the article provides discussion on this topic with research into the historical evidence of women murdering their children and how these cases were handled in the criminal justice system. The paper explains that according to the author, society has historically been lenient with women that suffered from postpartum depression although children's lives were taken by these women.
