CHAPTER 2 - Discussion

In what ways could cartoons be bad for kids?

I.Definition of Cartoons. 

"Cartoons" it is a motion picture that is focused on animation, mostly inspired by comics and books. According to the urban dictionary, Cartoons is an animated television show. It does not feature real actors, except when using voices. Well, as time passed, the definition and the content of cartoons has changed. It has created a huge gap between children and adults. Nowadays children are more vulnerable to cartoons.

Cartoons, as the researcher have understood are just simple television shows that allows a specific audience enjoy, for instance, children. Today, cartoons has spread throughout the world, and different type of cartoons have emerged. 

The researcher has discovered that discussing all of the type of cartoons is useless. the only type of Cartoon that will be disused is Cartoon Animation. 

Cartoon Animation or Animation as defined in the Oxford Dictionaries is, "The technique of photographing successive drawings or positions of puppets or models to create an illusion of movement when the movie is shown as a sequence" 

Animation is also defined by the Merriam-Websters dictionary as, "a way of making a movie by using a series of drawings, computer graphics, or photographs of objects (such as puppets or models) that are slightly different from one another and that when viewed quickly one after another create the appearance of movement" 

Even though there are a lot of definition presented, be aware that this gives a better view of what is happening now. The researcher also concludes that variations that are given will help the readers to understand this paper more.   

II. Negative Effects of Cartoon (Animations)

A. Cartoons makes children more aggressive and violent

Statistically speaking those kids who watch cartoons has bad attitude than those kids who doesn't. it also depends on what TV show the child is watching. i.e is children are watching shows like Power Ranger, or Ninja Turtle, or even Scooby-Doo there is a more chance that children will follow what they see in the television.

Laura Clark wrote an article entitled, "Cartoon violence 'makes children more aggressive'". It stated that, children are more likely to be violent and aggressive, because of what they see in the television, and the said viewers (children) would copy fantasy characters as much as they would with actual people.

With that being said, children are more prone to have a bad attitude (violent and aggressive) when exposed to violent cartoon shows. Especially the ones that are brutal and immoral.

Laura Clark said that, "Cartoons aimed at children, such as Scooby Doo, contain more brutality than programmes meant for general audiences" (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1159766/Cartoon-violence-makes-children-aggressive.html).

The quote focuses on how cartoons contains brutality and how it affects its general audience.(the children)

B. More Beauty, Less Brain (Wrong Role Models)

Most cartoon characters are bad role model for kids. Yes, they can be the main character or the "good" guy of the whole story, but it does not mean that they have the right personality or characteristics of a good role model. As the researcher said earlier, kids follow what they see in the television and that is what makes them violent and aggressive. but, that only shows the boys side of things. but got the girls side of the story, we also have "wrong" role models.

Susie wrote an article entitled, "Are Disney princesses actually crappy role models?" and It stated that, that Disney princesses all share the same characteristic. They are weak, and dependent. It also said that, as kids watch this things they are unaware of the subliminal messages, or even the simple messages that are present in the movie or show.

Basically, what princesses do in the movie is look good in their pretty dresses and when troubles come, they just wait for a handsome looking prince and marries them and their problems will end. Those are not good role models for the main viewers (children).

Susie said that,  "Boy-obsessed main lady characters who continually have to be saved by said boys. Princesses who are all thin, traditionally beautiful, wear dresses, and blah-de-blah-de-blah. Stories that seem to have, upon further reflection, horrible messages" (Ihttp://insatiablebooksluts.com/2013/10/21/are-disney-princesses-actually-crappy-role-models/).

The quote focuses on the characteristics of the "lady characters" also know as the princesses, that implements the revised phrase. "beauty but no brains"

C. Bad Heath (Brains and Eyes)

When cartoons first started, it created an impact towards the viewers, especially to the children. But why? The researcher has found out that children respond more to a colorful and more enjoyable shows. When shows like Pokemon started, it made children more interested in watching television, now they exert more time in front of the television and less time outside. 

Robert Leu wrote an article entitled, "Television's Effect on the Brain and Eyes" and it stated that, watching too much television is really dangerous, so dangerous that it can cause death to a child or even an adult. Cartoons when it first came out made children love television more, to and extent that they would watch television at night time and even watch television close. 

With that being said, not only the mentality or the morality of the viewers will be affected, but also the health of each child will be at risk. If not stopped more children will suffer seizures. 

Robert Leu said that,"Sitting in a dark room or closer than five feet will not damage the eyes, but will result in eye fatigue."(http://www2.bgsu.edu/departments/tcom/faculty/ha/tcom103fall2004/gp9/).

In his statement, he clearly presented how the children or the viewers obtain the sickness both in the brain and the eyes. 

III. Alternative for Cartoons

Other than watching cartoons, there are a lot of alternatives for such activities that parents could use. In this generation, the researcher has found out that media are now uprising, and what do we use for such activities? Gadgets, lots and lots of gadgets. This however is not always a negative trait. Yes, gadgets aren't bad, but with too much usage, it can ruin the child's childhood. These are examples for alternatives.
  
A. Reading Books

Reading books is not always loved by children, but they (children) can always benefit from this. The researcher as found out that, a child is more to be respectful and disciplined if influenced by books. It is really obvious that reading books to children or letting the children read books is better than letting them watch Cartoon, TV shows. But, also children do prefer watching T.V than reading books. 

Dr. Felecia Nace wrote an article entitled, "Why Children Benefit From Reading a Variety of Books." It stated that, reading is a way for children connect their stock knowledge and the things that they are going to discover. That is what helps children understand what is going on around them. In short, reading is part a child's process of learning. 

With that being said, children who read a lot are more imaginative and thoughtful than those who just watch cartoons shows. Of course, it also depends on what the child reads. In any case that maybe, benefits of children reading at an early age are better than those who don't.

Dr. Nace said, "If your child likes to read, they are off to a great start in life!  When a child is interested in reading and enjoys certain types of books such as mysteries, humor or adventure stories,  encourage your child’s natural interests in the genres they like as much as possible." (http://www.state.nj.us/education/parents/articles/life/books.htm)

It is clearly stated in her quote that a child with reading interests are off to a great start in life. Why? because, they can now have knowledge in the books that they will be reading .

B. Playing Outdoors

Because of all the media that this generation has to offer, children are more into staying inside their rooms, playing video games, watching cartoons or television shows, or just being socked in the internet. Now, What is wrong with all of this? Children should not be locked up in their rooms or let alone be in someplace alone. They should enjoy outdoor activities. The researcher has found out that children that does outdoor activities are more cooperative and enjoyable than those who lock themselves up in their rooms. 

Kathleen Alfano Ph.D. wrote an article entitled, "The Benefits of Outdoor Play." In this article it states that, the magical outdoors can help a child in lots of ways. I.e in their heath, social life, mental health, etc. It also helps increases flexibility, self-confidence, and coordination. 

In summary, kids that are more into outdoors are more positive than most children. Yes, they , they may still have negative traits but, they can react to problems more often because they are more flexible. Meaning, they can react to things in positive ways.

Dr. Alfano said that, "When children are pushed in a swing, or when they propel a swing themselves, they engage all of their muscles to hold on, balance and coordinate their body to the rhythm of moving back and forth. Swinging provides children with first-hand knowledge and experience of cause and effect and of understanding spatial learning, such as up and down and back and forth" (http://www.fisher-price.com/en_US/playtime/parenting/articlesandadvice/articledetail.html?article=tcm:169-20482).

In Dr. Alfano's quote, she clearly that in the simple game "swing". Children can develop a lot of things, such as: Muscles, balance, coordination, and rhythm. They can also, understand the principle of "push and pull".