Critical Analysis

Discussion #2: CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 Gerard Jones, “Violent Media is Good for Kids”, gave an in-depth view of Jones’ feeling toward violence in comic books and video games when supplied to minds of children. Jones feels that children should be allowed to read or interact with these sorts of media to build on their self- esteem and self-confidence: that it is healthy for a child to channel anger and hostility through the interaction of violent games and the reading of materials which promotes such anarchy.

  Jones explanation of his opinion is more on a personal level than a critical level. His theory is based on his experience with comic book violence and the effect that it had on him. Having a superhero who; fights crime, bring the bad guys to justice, watch over the innocent, protect the weak, and stop evil doers in their track.

 When viewing comics and video games that carry these values, one can see how Jones could conclude that this kind of violence in the media being a good thing for children. Unfortunately this type of media is not on the shelves alone.

There has been a drastic change in the creativeness at work in literary and video games from just over a decade ago. Sexual innuendo and vulgarity of language has crept its way into the most innocent of comic media. As for video games: the need for even bloodier and gorier ways to kill has become the main issue of their creation.

 Gerard Jones feels that the exposer to the heroism in comic books and video games can help children with their issues of indifference by helping them to open up their mind and imagination to the strength they themselves have within, that the violence is just a basic part of life that one can be exposed to at any time in the real world but by exposer through video game makes it a good thing by preparing their minds for whatever may transpire in their lives.

Not all media is good or healthy for kids. The only way a child is going to know how to challenge their emotions of fear, anxiety, or anger in the right way, when by chance they do come across media that is inappropriate, is by taking time to read or view the media that the child is interested in and giving explanation to what is being viewed instead of criticizing and opinionating.