Every person has something about themselves they keep locked up, quiet inside themselves; to name a few: passion, anger, humor, personal perceptions of the world, and violence. Cartoonist and screenplay and comic writer Gerard Jones defends the violence of media as a beneficial tool for inner aggression in “Violent Media is Good for Kids”. Jones does not outright state his position as a proponent for violent media in a single sentence, but instead does so through a retelling of his life and how violent media has been a good influence throughout it.
Jones’s main defense for violence in media is through presenting cases in which youth with fears and personal issues overcome them through the help and presence of violent media in their lives. However, these cases are very specific and cannot be regarded as general application to the population. In his examples, he includes himself who overcomes his social awkwardness through the Incredible Hulk comics, a little girl whose violent tendencies were due to her tomboyish nature and circumstances which involved divorcing parents channeling her violent tendencies into writing and drawing, and a teen surrounded by gang violence and a rough family situation turning to rap. His one example that was did not include extenuating circumstances involved his son overcoming his fear of climbing trees through Tarzan comics, but is not a truly significant accomplishment if Jones wishes to continue in his stance as a supporter of media violence.
In, his argument, Jones attempts to make concessions by addressing the general argument of those against media violence by claiming, “…it’s helped hundreds of people for every one it’s hurt” which is simply a ridiculous claim that does not have any hard evidence. Furthermore, what Jones claims as the benefits of media violence is in actuality a mistaken belief for an outlet for inner personal issues. The only reason that Jones is able to claim in these particular examples that the said examples are being helped by media violence is because of their situations the reflect violence and chaos. (The Tarzan example does not hold much merit as it is simply about his son resolving to climb a tree.)
Perhaps Jones is right in saying, media violence benefitted his son and himself, but in those instances the violent media acted as more of a creative outlet. But in other cases, violent media can be a triggering key for those who are surrounded by violence and do not have the option or good influence to take up a hobby or activity like Jones suggests. In the end, violent media can be considered as having two sides: a shield that can protect you from harm or a sword which can harm others and yourself.
Jones’s main defense for violence in media is through presenting cases in which youth with fears and personal issues overcome them through the help and presence of violent media in their lives. However, these cases are very specific and cannot be regarded as general application to the population. In his examples, he includes himself who overcomes his social awkwardness through the Incredible Hulk comics, a little girl whose violent tendencies were due to her tomboyish nature and circumstances which involved divorcing parents channeling her violent tendencies into writing and drawing, and a teen surrounded by gang violence and a rough family situation turning to rap. His one example that was did not include extenuating circumstances involved his son overcoming his fear of climbing trees through Tarzan comics, but is not a truly significant accomplishment if Jones wishes to continue in his stance as a supporter of media violence.
In, his argument, Jones attempts to make concessions by addressing the general argument of those against media violence by claiming, “…it’s helped hundreds of people for every one it’s hurt” which is simply a ridiculous claim that does not have any hard evidence. Furthermore, what Jones claims as the benefits of media violence is in actuality a mistaken belief for an outlet for inner personal issues. The only reason that Jones is able to claim in these particular examples that the said examples are being helped by media violence is because of their situations the reflect violence and chaos. (The Tarzan example does not hold much merit as it is simply about his son resolving to climb a tree.)
Perhaps Jones is right in saying, media violence benefitted his son and himself, but in those instances the violent media acted as more of a creative outlet. But in other cases, violent media can be a triggering key for those who are surrounded by violence and do not have the option or good influence to take up a hobby or activity like Jones suggests. In the end, violent media can be considered as having two sides: a shield that can protect you from harm or a sword which can harm others and yourself.
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