TV Violence and Children’s Attitude, Aggressiveness and Violence: A Case Study of the Effects on Children in Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

This study aims to explore the effect of violence and aggressiveness should on television among the children. It also find out the difference on the basis of gender, educational level, ethnically and areas of residence. For this study the researchers collected data from 624 respondents through random sampling from 5th to 8th class students of Sindh province. Data was analyzed through SPSS Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) to ensure objectivity in the results of the study. The study found that there was least presence of aggressive tendencies among the children, while compromise in case of any conflict. However a insignificant number of children silence that gang fight and even a negligible number of children in Cable Towns with a small increase in Non Cable Towns seems inclined to acquire weapons for their protection in the same situation. As the majority of children of both Cable and Non Cable Towns are of light viewers, the possible effects of television violence seem seldom among children of the region. The trend is present in both genders with a slight difference. Views about handling weapons, the results were surprising to note that majority of children were not interested in handily weapons, especially in Cable Towns. However in Non Cable Towns, a significant number of boys were interested in handling the weapon. In Non Cable Towns the junior grade children were more interested to use the weapon. On ethnic basis, Cable Town children were looking more interested in using weapons in comparison to Sindhi Speaking children, while in Non-Cable Towns, majority of Sindhi Speaking children showed their interest in operating the weapons. The study proves that there is correlation between increasing content of television and effects on young viewers.