A sociological paper about the domestic roots of violence.
This paper argues that the roots of violence are not from the media but hit very close to home: within the group dynamic. The paper discusses how a much greater influence than the screened violence of the media is the influence of real violence in the group dynamic. The paper describes how young children are much more easily manipulated into doing something if they see a grown they know do it, and concludes by suggesting that we teach children to think critically.
“When two boys opened fire in a Jonesboro school-yard, killing three students and a teacher, news media focused on the family backgrounds of the boys. It was reported both boys grew up around guns and shooting. And although this was the focus, there was also a side issue of other influences in the boys lives: violent video games, violent television, possible violent lyrics. The question often raised in situations like this is who is to blame? “Psychologists are wary of speculating about specific causes in the Jonesboro killings–violence at home? A history of seriousmental disturbance?–until a fuller picture emerges of the twoboys and their circumstances. But on the question of how the larger ground is prepared, meaning the psychological terrain that might make a kid capable of killing, the professionals share the assumptions of most parents” (Rainert )Who should be held accountable? It is not politically correct to blame family influences, especially if the family is for the most part working hard and paying their taxes.”