CHAPTER 1 - Introduction

A. Background of the Study

Now a days children are more into technology, that's why children have become more interested in cartoons as time goes by. instead of going out and play, children prefer to say in their room and watch television. In general, children start watching cartoons at the age of six months, and by the age of two - three, children become interested viewers. And that is one of the common reasons why cartoons/children shows are so popular today.

Most people think that some children shows/cartoons are good. C.J Choma wrote an article entitled, "Effects of Cartoons on Children". It stated here that cartoons has something , that makes the viewers want it more. It is both colorful and fun. It also stated in the article that the creators of cartoons are putting subliminal messages in the show. Subliminal messages are hidden messages that enters to ones mind without the viewer noticing.

In summary, the creator the such shows have one goal, and that is to let the children enjoy television, more than that let them enjoy the magic of cartoon shows. It is also said in the article by C.J Choma, that, cartoons have this thing called "subliminal messages". These things doesn't necessarily harm kids but they do send a hidden messages to the adults.

C.J Choma said that, "The marketing is targeted toward the children to cause them to want to view the cartoons on a regular basis, but the subliminal messaging is for the adults’ to target them into enjoying the "cartoons"." (http://www2.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom/faculty/ha/tcom103fall2004/gp9/)

In this quote by C.J Choma, he clearly stated what the people in the market really aims for, and that is to have more viewers, even if it is in the means of slightly brain washing the viewers. Forcing them little by little into liking something. By implementing subliminal messages in the said "cartoons", children now can freely watch cartoons because adults now are more into cartoons.

Another reason why cartoons today is so popular, it is because of the main fact that cartoons has expanded its popularity. Cartoons has acquired both kids and adults as its audience. When cartoons/Children shows came out, obviously its audience are only for children, but as time goes by, these cartoons has made it self pleasing to adults eyes. Now, both children and adults loves watching cartoons.

Emily Geminiano wrote an article entitled, "Why Kids and Adults Love to Watch Cartoons". It stated that there are other kids of genre, such as anime. Now, anime has got a lot more viewers as it grows. Adults and Children are now obsessed with the same thing. The researcher has found why both children and adults love the same thing. For one Cartoons is colorful and more lively that normal television shows, and for other reasons like the story line, graphics, visual effects, and many more.

In summary, in the past years cartoons has expanded its so called "kind" and evolved into different types. As it grows, it begun to pull different viewers in different ages. In other words, As Cartoons grows, so as its viewers. The researcher believes that this is one of the reasons why Cartoons now a days are popular among adults and children.

Emily Geminiano said that, "But these days the young ones are not only the big fan of cartoons since there are many grownups now that are fond of them as well. The so-called young at heart abound and in fact my colleagues and dean in the school I work for are fond of these as well specially the Naruto."  (http://emilgen2011.hubpages.com/hub/Why-Kids-and-Adults-Love-to-Watch-Cartoons)

In this quote by Emily Geminiano, she is clearly focused on how adults such as herself came to be a fan of cartoons along with the children. It is said here that some cartoons makes a adult feel young at heart.

Kids this generation follow what they see everywhere especially on television. Having cartoon characters as role models has become one of the most popular thing that is going on to the children of today's generation. Cartoons has greater influence to its viewers than anyone. It influences the children in what they wear, how they talk, and even in what they eat.

Fareesa (from the site www.gogomonongo.com) wrote an article entitled, "Cartoon Characters: Higher Authority Than Parents?" and it stated that, some of these lovable characters are highly to be followed that out parents. Why? because of the simple reason: Parents aren't home all the time.

Well, this isn't a bad thing. This has just made the influence on the games toys they buy, clothing they wear, kids play, and even their bed sheets. leaving the parents with little influence, while there popular characters have huge amount of influence to children.

Fareesa said that, "Cartoon characters debuted on food items as early as the 90’s with green Ninja Turtle Pudding Pies." (http://www.gogomongo.com/2011/10/02/cartoon-characters-higher-authority-than-parents/)

It is obvious in Fareesa's quote that they still have influence even in the food of the children. It shows how popular cartoons can be. 

Even though cartoons are popular these days, the researcher observes that cartoons are actually bad for kids. The researcher has found out that the hidden side some of children shows are dangerous.

The information in this paper will help the reader determine how cartoons affect kids. In addition, it will help the reader decide whether to let their own children watch cartoons or not. Having simple knowledge about children shows/cartoons isn't enough.

The purpose of this paper is to explain why cartoons could be bad for kids.

B. Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1. In what ways could cartoons be bad for kids? 

C. Significance of the Study

Parents - This research paper would help parents on how to distinguish good show from bad shows for their children. To help them know what are the appropriate TV shows they could let their children watch and to educate them to be aware of some children show/cartoon subliminal messages.

Future Film Makers - Knowledge of this study would help future film makers on their decision making. To inform them that there are other film makers out there, that goals are to consume children's mind with negativity. It is believed that now a days, children shows/ cartoons are more likely to be violent and stupid, this paper is to set a standard for our future film makers to create something with better content.

Future Researchers - This study is not a common one, but it aims to help future researcher to gain knowledge upon the topic that is similar to this one. With the information given within this paper, future researchers can have clues and better insights according to the matter given. 

D. Scope and Delimitation 

Having simple knowledge about Children shows/Cartoons isn't enough. The focus of this study is to explain the hidden side of most Children shows/Cartoons. 

Because of time constraints, this study will no longer discuss about other genres of cartoons. This study will also not discuss the different perspective of Children Shows/Cartoons, such as science, history, myth, psychology. Instead, this study will focus more on the subliminal messages of most children shows, and how it affects the viewers.

E. Materials and Methods

The researcher will follow a method of looking deeper within the children shows/cartoon and somehow discuss the content of its shows. The materials that the researcher will use is this study are different kinds of article related to the topic, book, and other reading materials that can help or can make the study more understandable and more appropriate for the audience.

By focusing on the following information and summarizing them into small bits. the researcher can present clearly the attitude of children shows/cartoons and their hidden side, both positive and negative.

F. Definition of Terms

1. Cartoons or Animated Cartoons. A motion picture consisting of a sequence of drawings, each so slightly different that when filmed and run through a projector the figures seem to move.
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/animated%20cartoon)

2. Subliminal Messages. Secret message or hidden message in a scene. affecting someones mind without them being aware of it.

3. Traits. A distinguishing characteristic or quality, especially of one's personal nature: bad traits of character.
(http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/traits?s=t)

BLOG POST# 6: Yay or Nay? - Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo are one the the best painters in history, but together they are wildely know as the famous names of our all tim e favorite, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Have you ever wondered instead of having ninja-ish names they made them artistc? Today I will research why the Teenage mutant ninja turtles were named by famous painters.

Why were they named like that?

I have read an article entitled, "How Kevin Eastman Invented the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" bu Gendy Alimurung. 

Originally the teenage ninja turtles were formally named after Japanese names and it didnt work. therefore he named it after famous renaissance painters
such as Michelangelo, Donatello, Raphael, and Leonardo since the names are unfamiliar, some children may have had the urge to ask about them with someone older. if a child asked an adult familiar with the artist, the child was able to inquire to take something more from a show that seems intellectually lacking from a quick viewing even thought the real plot of the story was promoting violence and war.

Allmurung stated that, "One ninja turtle became four, each named after a renaissance master, each with a different weapon. It was, like, 'Here's the next big thing, ninja turtles."

I agree on what he said because the teenage mutant ninja turtles made a big hit on the children's viewing. It was approved by the parents for viewing because of the they thought that they were watching intellectual TV shows because of the names of the characters that are famous painters and artist.

Ninja turtles- Renaissance Artist Comparison

I read an article of Rob Lammle entitiled "The Complete History of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"

They are named after one silly reason and that is they sound quirky enough to fit the concept of crime fighting turtles that does not quite an artist themselves. For me it is actually funny naming them so far on what they do. A trivia is that the teenage mutant ninja turtles favorite food is pizza, because they're names were from Italian Artists.

Lammle stated that "As Eastman and Laird began fleshing out the Turtles to create a comic book, they had to give the Turtles names. At first they tried Japanese names, but it just wasn't working. So they tried great Renaissance artists instead – Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo. Laird told me, “It felt just quirky enough to fit the concept.” 

He stated was a quick history on why they were made on that concept and how far they made it from the original names which are Japanese names that don't quite caught the audiences.

BLOG POST #5: Yay or Nay? - Tom and Jerry

We have all seen the series, where in, cat chases mouse, mouse goes to dog, dog sees cat, cat runs away from dog. That is the never ending cycle . And then I had a though, why does the cat always wants a piece of that mouse?  

I read an article entitled "Cats and Mice" by Frannu Syufy, that talk about cats behavior and why they chase after mice. 

According to Syufy. Cats love to chase mice, because its in their nature, a basic story about a predator and a prey. Cats love to chase, kill, even eat mice. Why? because cats has knowledge that they are bigger, and stronger than the mice. that's why it only sees the mouse as a prey and never a predator 

And also that's a given, and sometimes people do not find it too alarming. In fact, most people in different countries uses cats ability to case mice as an solution for unwanted rodent problem. Basically its a win-win situation for both parties, except for the rodents. 

This topic reminds us of the famous TV show, The Tom and Jerry show, staring Tom the cat and Jerry the mouse. As a child growing up with this cartoon, I have not fully understood the true essence of the show, Up until now. It seems that the show talks about "bullying". Now, what is "bullying"?

When most people think of bullying, they imagine an older, bigger, stronger fellow punching, kicking, and hitting a weak one. Yes, physical bullying is one of the most common types of bullying that kids participate in. According to the article entitled, "6 Types of Bullying" by Sherri Gordon there are six type of bullying and these are : Physical Bullying, Verbal Bullying, Relation Aggression, Cyber Bullying, Sexual Bullying, Prejudicial Bullying. 

The only type of bullying that we will be focusing in will be Physical Bullying, why? because that is the type of bullying Tom the cat uses towards Jerry the mouse. Physical bullying has the same principle of the "prey and predator". Because if you haven't notice it yet, a bully will never go against someone bigger or stronger than he or she is, and the same goes for a predator. A predator will never prey over something that it cannot kill and devour. 

"Unlike the other forms of bullying, physical bullying is the easiest to identify. As a result, it is most likely what people think of when they think of bullying. Additionally, it has historically received more attention from schools than other more subtle forms of bullying." said Sherri. 

I agree with Sherri, for one physical bullying is the picture people see or the main idea they see in their mind every time they think about bullies or bullying.

This is a short comedy film about bullies. Take insights, this might how bullies are made. 

Let us never be to eager to judge out bullies though, they may be just playing bad guy  but some bullies have some deeper problems to think about. Sometimes they are just angry to see themselves so weak, that they punish other people for their own failures. Tom the cat had the same fate as well, experiencing bullying from Spike the dog. That's why Tom is punishing Jerry, because he is faced with a bigger bully, Spike. 

BLOG POST #4 : Yay or Nay? - Seabob Monsterpants

Okay, I have this riddle. What is yellow, has four sides, and has holes in it? Well, any answer? yup, you got it. The answer is our annoying little friend, Spongebob Squarepants. When the TV goes,  Spongebob, Patrick, Squidward, Mr. Crabs, Plankton, Sandy, and Gary. The main characters we really one to see every morning. Without them breakfast can be never complete. 


The show is one of those classic, timeless ideas. its about a talking yellow sponge who lives in a pineapple and is best friends with a weird pink starfish who lives in a rock plus has a meowing snail as a pet and works at a restaurant owned by a ex pirate crab. OK, sure, it sounds a bit of weird if you put it that way. Its not like the creators were actually serious about characters that are mutants or something, children's cartoons are metaphors. 

Patric         Spongebob      Sqidward         Sandy      Mr.Crabs         Plankton 

Well, as I was surfing the web, I happen to stumble across this fascinating article entitled, "Insane Theories About Kids' Cartoons" by M. Asher Cantrell. In this particular study it talked about a particular theory. First of all, The setting of the show is a place called Bikini Bottom , that is inspired from the place called Bikini Atoll  which the official Nickelodeon-written synopsis already confirmed. Bikini Atoll is a crater formed by the Castle Bravo nuclear test. Can be seen on the north west cape of the atoll, it is said to be the result of the nuclear test that the U.S government detonated  underwater.


Somehow, everything about this cartoon made sense. The sea characters were normal until the radiation from the explosion mutated them into some kind of sea freaks or maybe even worse, they were evolved sea monsters. Even giant pineapples were growing deep in the ocean. Giant squids. big weird crabs, and a whole lot more. but, its just a Theory though, and an amazing one i must say. Having it hard to believe but somehow it does make sense. Not as the shows characters are real sea monsters, but the influence of it. as the creators makes a whole different world beneath the waves. They thought about the possibilities of having sea monsters

Because I was so fascinated about the insane but possible theory, I have found out that scientists now claim that sea monsters really exists. That's according to the article entitled, "Sea monsters really DO lurk beneath the waves, scientists claim" by Dacin Derbyshire.

Derbyshire said, "Now experts in marine life claim sea monsters might actually exist. Because scientists are still finding new species of underwater life, the discovery of ‘marine monsters’ is not impossible, a meeting heard yesterday."

Derbyshire stated in his article that numerous discoveries and sightings that are now on record can't all be explained away as mistakes, sightings of known animals or hoaxes. And just like what he said, sea monsters might actually exist. But how? 

In the same article some people have suggested that the present-day monsters that marine-biologist see now might be the prehistoric beings, that survived, and still lurks beneath the ocean. One of which might be the plesiosaurus, a long-necked dinosaur with fins and is capable of staying underwater for a long time.

Sea monster might be and effect or evolution, or normal creatures that were affected by the nuclear tests in the sea, or just dinosaur that survived. The point is, the planet is not finished showing its true colors, and its creatures inside it. Discoveries are yet to come about.