Conflict and Anger in the Article "Violent Media is Good for Kids" by Gerad Jones

In the article “Violent Media is Good for Kids,” the author Gerad Jones argues that bloody videogames, junk culture, and other forms of imaginative violence help kids, stating that it gives them ways of dealing with conflict and anger. Jones points out how the Incredible Hulk helped him learn to release his anger and mature. Throughout the article Jones gives examples and scenarios he has experienced. Although jones argument does present some legitimacy, he still leaves doubt if channeling their fury through violent media is the right answer. Some may argue that the author’s opinion is weak and unsound.

Jones discusses his past mentioning how in his early childhood. He was taught by his parents to suppress his deepest fears and anger all while being sheltered from reality. That is until his mother was persuaded that violent comic books were not detrimental to children and could actually benefit him, since they are aimed at juveniles. From there on out the incredible Hulk became the person he emulated and helped him develop become a writer due to the hulks characteristics, “Unafraid of his desires and the world’s disapproval, unhesitating and effective in action” (230-231). Later throughout his life Jones would again notice how his own son would overcome small obstacles in his life from attending preschool to climbing a tree. That would all be contributed to envisioned ideas, raging from being a blood thirsty dinosaur to Tarzan (231). Throughout several school shootings Jones decides to conduct a research to prove that violent stories due indeed help prevent these incidents and provide alternate modes for kids to vent their frustrations. Further on he mentions how the world is unpredictable, and by mastering control of ange...

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...so admits violent media has flaws “I’m not going to argue that violent entertainment is harmless I think it has helped inspire some people to real life violence” (231). He admitted himself it is not always the best alternate to channel rage.

Overall the article did present valid points from Jones perspective supporting that violent media benefited kids in certain situations, but overall his research was not broad enough to suggest that it is the same for all kids. Even he mentioned it himself proving that it is a hit or miss opinion. Even if subject matter expert were quoted overall not enough research is conducted to conclude he is 100% right.

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Works Cited

Gerad, Jones. “Violent Media is Good for Kids,” Perspectives on Contemporary Issues: Reading Across the Disciplines. 6thed. ED. Katherine Acley. Boston: Wadsworth, 2012 230-233 Print.