Sociology

As children grow, they are exposed to many incidences in their lives which affects them positively or negatively in their later lives. Some of these incidences involve violent experiences. Violent experiences that children are exposed to when they are young have an adverse effect on their later lives. The violence is mostly viewed from the mass media, the family or the environment in which the children are brought up. There is no doubt that violence begets violence (Sege  Dietz, 1994). Research indicates that children who are more exposed to violent acts on mass media, at home or in the neighborhood are more likely to have violent behaviors in the future. Therefore, there are three types of violence that can lead to violent behaviors in young children or even adults in future. This violence includes domestic violence, criminal violence in the neighborhood or violence that has become a major form of entertainment in the modern lifestyles.

The linkage of violent behaviors on children and violent images in the mass media has raised a heated debate in the last few decades among sociologist. The result has been extensive study on the effect of violent images on the cognitive development of children. Mass media especially television has become a major aspect of the modern contemporary life among all societies of the world. Sociologists estimate that children spend more time watching television than they spend studying. This means that mass media has a great influence on the future life more than any thing else.

Most of the childrens favorite television programs have some sort of violence. The violence has no consequence, very frequent and effective and in many instances rewarded. This affects the cognitive and psychological development of children who view violence as desirable and as the only effective method of solving conflicts. The children view violence as if it does not cause pain or suffering to others as depicted in the television programs (Sege  Dietz, 1994). 

However, despite the extensive research that indicates the linkage of children watching violent cartoon programs in the television and violent behaviors, there is no doubt that media has a positive impact on the lives of the children. Any informed parent will in no way agree with the argument that television and the media is harmful to the development of the children. Sociologists have concluded that children are fascinated by the adult world. For this reason, they try to imitate what the adults do. Hence, the mass media aided by the fast growing information and communication technology is essential for cognitive development of children in the modern world. It is however unfortunate that some of the materials found in the mass media have negative effect on the childs development. Violence in the mass media contributes to violent behaviors among the children and may lead to violent criminal lifestyle in the future (Savage, 2004). 

Domestic violence is another form of violence that contributes to violent behaviors in children sooner or later. Boys who grow in home where the husband abuses the wife are more likely to abuse their partners in the future. Domestic violence has been rated by sociologists as a major contributor of aggressive and violent behaviors amongst children. The relationship between the child and the parent and how the parents relate with each other when the child is still young will affect the childs development in many ways. The relationship may result into either fear or trust. As stated earlier, children are fascinated by the adult world and therefore try to mimic their deeds. Children who grow in families with violence and threats may learn that violence and threats are effective methods of obtaining what they want. These behaviors can easily be recognized in schools and baby daycare centers. These children display antisocial behaviors towards other children or even the authority. Boys are more affected by violence at home although girls also develop aggressive and violent behaviors. Theses antisocial behaviors have a large influence on the adult life of the individual (Schmitz, 2003).

The third form of violence that children view in their daily lives and may influence them to act violently in future is violence in the neighborhood. Some children grow in residential areas where violent crime is rampant or in war stricken countries where violence is the order of the day. This post trauma stress disorder may develop among these children and they may grow to be violent characters in future. Children and adolescents are known to be influenced by their peers greatly. They try to conform to what their peers do to fit in the groups. With that respect, people who grow in neighborhoods with rampant violence and crime learn violent behaviors from their peers and end up being violent criminals (Raine, 2003).
 
In conclusion, it is true that violence begets violence. The main reason why people become violent and aggressive is as a result of viewing violence when young. Violence can be viewed at home, in the neighborhood or on the mass media. Viewing violence among the children has a negative effect on the cognitive development of children which may lead to violent behaviors in future.