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Violent Media Is Good For Kids By Gerard Jones

Decent Essays

The essay “Violent Media is Good for Kids” by Gerard Jones was published by the New York Times in 2000. Jones was a well-known author both in fiction and nonfiction and mainly focused on comic books. Jones argues that the violent behaviors depicted in comic books can be beneficial because they can help children overcome their fears. Jones incorrectly assumes that all children are the same and although a comic book may help one child, other children may become emotionally scarred by them. Jones focuses on three stories involving himself, his son, and a young lady by the name of Emily. In paragraph three, Jones tells us how his mother grew up in a violent era, not wanting her son to be exposed to such conduct. Until one day a student of hers enlightened her on the benefits a comic book can have on a child. The “Hulk” allowed for Jones to fantasize himself as being all powerful, fearless, and confident in his own skin. Also in compassion to Jones, in paragraph six, Jones’ son had a similar encounter but with the comic book “Tarzan”. Jones’ son was faced with the peer pressure of climbing a tree that his friend previously climbed. With his son being fearful, Jones knew that by allowing his son to become fixated on the comic of Tarzan would allow for him to “put his fear of aside and climb the tree”. Lastly, Jones adds in paragraph twelve, the importance of Emily, a playground bully who with the help of comic books could control her violent outbursts. Throughout Jones essay, he does a diligent job of providing valid and reliable evidence, but in paragraph twelve and thirteen when he tells the story of Emily is looked at as the turning point of his essay for most readers. Emily was known at school for expressing violent behaviors and depiction violent scenes from comics and TV shows. Most mothers would pull Emily’s mother aside and express their concerns and worries for the safety of the other kids who played around her. Emily’s mother sought Jones help, fearful that her child might not be able to differentiate between realities and play time. Jones background allowed for him to channel Emily’s anger by providing her with comics that were most relatable to the action Emily imitated. Untimely, by Jones telling

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