Movies to be blamed for violence among children: Child psychologists

Chennai: Are movies the root causes for instigating violence among children? Yes, say child psychologists and socialists. With electronic gadgets occupying most part of a child’s routine, parents and society play a lesser role in influencing kids.

Quoting a study published in the British Medical Journal, child psychologist, P. Anbudurai said children’s cartoons contain 2.5 times more violence than adult horror movies. “Animated movies developed for children are full of violence. Death scenes are shot in a way that a child rather than being sensitive to it, laughs at such scenes,” said Anbudurai.

Be it imitating Rajinikanth’s dialogues or fagging a cigarette like Dhanush, children from Juvenile homes follow the steps of Kollywood heroes. A former inmate from Chengalpet special home said that the boys were held up in a task to master the style of smoking a cigar like Dhanush in Maari. “Children would smoke over 10 beedis a day. Due to peer pressure, many non smokers developed the habit here,” said the boy.

It would not stop there as children derive utmost pleasure in hitting the fellow mates and teasing the teachers. Talking to DC, assistant professor for social work, Madras Christian College, S. Sudharsan said that a child derives 80% of knowledge through observation. “Any person who motivates a kid reaches into the memory glands so fast. Impressed by their actions, a child would start imitating them, without acknowledging good and bad. Corrective homes carry a huge responsibility in developing emotional intelligence of a child, which could be done by thorough counseling,” said S. Sudharsan.