by Mikal Frazier, LMFT, LPC

"Mamma, when ‘Power Rangers’ comes on at the center we have to turn it off."
This was the comment of my college daughter who works at a children’s enrichment center
summers and holidays. The children become so rambunctious when this show airs that, to
manage their behavior, they must not allow the show to run. How does the violence in this
children’s action show translate into aggressive behavior in its viewers?

In recent years, when we have received the shocking news of our children killing
children, the incidence of violence in the media and violent video games has come under
attack. More often than not these children have been enacting some violence they have seen
portrayed on the movie screen or they have been heavily involved in playing violent video
games. Again we ask, "How does this happen?"

To begin examining this connection, it might be helpful to find a way to categorize the
different degrees of influence on decision-making. A continuum can be helpful in
determining this influence.

On either end of the continuum, we can place the immovables. On one end of the
continuum would be the children who are going to choose violence whether they are
influenced by media and games or not. These children are considered immovable. Then on the
other end of the continuum is another set of immovables. These are the children who would
never commit any act of violence based upon the influence of the media or video games. But
then in the middle of the continuum are the children who are considered to be the
movables. These are children who might be influenced by the violence in the media or
violent video games. This answers the anecdotal comment, "Well my son played those
games every day from the time he was nine until he was fifteen and he never considered
violence."

That may very well be, but he would have been placed on the end of the continuum with
the immovables who would not be influenced by video games.

Because of the extreme violence we have seen our children commit, many have looked at
research to see if there is a connection between the violence in media and games and the
violence committed by these children. Some research has been around for a very long time
and other research is emerging.  Researchers have known for several years that there
was a connection between the violence viewed on television by a husband and the number of
aggressive acts he committed toward his wife.

In one particular study husbands who viewed a violent program were significantly more
aggressive toward their wives than the control group who did not view this violent
programming. Certainly, such viewing would likely have a similar effect on children.

One explanation of this connection is a process called systematic desensitization. This
approach is used to help individuals overcome phobias and irrational fears. They are
exposed systematically to the distressing stimulus. As they become comfortable with a mild
level of exposure, then a higher level of exposure is provided, until they lose their
overactive response. As children view these disturbing scenes over and over, they lose the
natural response of aversion. They no longer have that effect on them. They have moved a
little bit closer to repeating the behaviors.

Mental rehearsal is another process which can help explain the connection, particularly
between violent video games and aggressive behavior. Mental rehearsal is usually done
through imagery, in which the subject takes himself through a behavior in his mind that he
wants to develop. Athletes and performing artists are using mental rehearsal to prepare
for events that cannot be easily simulated for in practice. How much more effective might
be the practice in the mind when a child is sitting and acting his way through a video
game. Studies have shown a child’s heart rate and blood pressure increase while playing a
series of video games. 

Though there are many other factors which contribute to these "high risk kids
without a conscience," we cannot deny the influence of the violence we experience
through the video games and media. When we observe children spending large amounts of time
with any form of violence, we have to wonder if some of these processes are not at work.

* * * * *

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING

About Influences on Today’s Parents

"What ranks as the most significant influence on parents? The  largest was
the impact of their parent’s style, or their upbringing, mentioned by 45 % of today’s
parents. Other people such as friends, relatives, spouses – were significant inputs on
parenting for one third (35%). Resources such as books, magazines, and articles were
influential factors for one-third of respondents (34%).

Only a small proportion of people named parenting experts.  Among those mentioned
most often were Dr. James Dobson of Focus on the Family (3%) and Dr. Benjamin Spock
(1%)." (Barna  Research Group. January 15, 1998).

About Co-habitation Prior to Marriage

"Churches don’t like to face up to the cohabitation reality. A report from the
University of Wisconsin Center for Demography and Ecology says half of the population
under age 40 has lived with an  unmarried partner . . .. ‘Living together before
marriage increases the risk of breaking up after marriage,’ according to the report
titled, ‘Should We Live Together? What Young Adults Need to Know about Cohabitation before
Marriage.’ Cohabitors who marry have a  divorce rate 46 percent higher than those who
live apart until marriage." – Judy Gross _National Catholic Reporter_. September 17,
1999.

About Marriage and the Stability of Society

"If the institution of marriage ever falls from grace, our society will fall as
well because there is no institution than can take it’s place." – Utah Gov. Michael
O. Leavitt – reported by Kathleen Parker, syndicated columnist. Her article appeared in
several newspapers and was released on July 15, 1999.

PERCEPTIONS

Substitution by Norman Bales

One of the most discouraging thoughts in Scripture is presented to us in Romans 3:23 –
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Two verses later, Paul
presented one of the most  encouraging thoughts in the Bible – "God presented
him as a  sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood." The concept of
  the substitutionary atonement is uncomplicated and easy to explain, but it is very
difficult to comprehend. What are the implications of Jesus becoming a voluntary
substitute for our sins? 

And what does that great truth require of us? You can read our thoughts on the subject
at <http://www.allaboutfamilies.org/sh/percep36.html>