Effects of cartoons on children research Project

 “My name is Asma Bashir  I have done my bachelors in English literature and political science from Punjab University, Lahore

  This topic has attracted me because of its lethal effects on future generations as well as current young generation. A study was needed to understand and rectify the trends and behaviors that have spawned from irresponsible creativity. This study has conducted on the topic effect of cartoons on children research project. 

Effects of cartoons on children research Project

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my STA630 instructor for his patient and continuous efforts in corresponding with me throughout the research project. I would also like to thank my family members and friends for their invaluable suggestions and guidance in making this report. I do understand that a badgering student like me can be irritating but I thank you all for your endurance and consistency with which you bore me and my questions.

Executive Summary

The purpose of this research was to determine relationship between cartoons and children’s behavior. Questionnaires were distributed to parents of children from different school with different age. There are some of the key features of the research findings. Hence the below points presenting the finding of effect of cartoon on children research paper.

 

• 50% of the respondents had children between the ages of 5-9. 30% of them had children aged between 10-12.
• 80% of all respondent’s children watch TV for at least 2 hours.
• 15% watch for 3 or more hours.
• 90% parents describe their children as peaceful.
•  80% parents think that their children are absorbed while watching cartoons.
• 100% parents think children become violent after watching aggressive cartoons.
•  75% parents have noted that their children demand things that cartoon characters use or have labels with characters of cartoons on them.
• 70% parents think stopping children from watching cartoons make their children angry.
• 100% parents think their children are being used for serving corporate ends.
• All respondents said that they would use alternatives instead of cartoons given an option.

Introduction

From the inception of static pictures, motion pictures and animated caricatures it has deeply affected human mind. It has been used to tender messages of different nature across using the mediums and methods of humor, sarcasm, horror, and other literary devices. History of cartoons can be traced from the first caricature drawn by human being. Initial cartoons were believed to be drawn by Raphael and Leonardo da Vinci.

In 1843, Punch Magazine started using satirical drawings in its pages, actually coined the trend. Then almost all other magazines and newspapers took the trend like New Yorker, The Times, and The Tribune.  This also spawned a different type of literature called ‘Comic Books’ where stories are imparted by drawing caricatures with funny expressions and messages. With the help of Walt Disney cartoon history received its current popularity in popular culture.

 

With cartoons invading entertainment market, it has highly influenced the raw minds and early teenagers with its effective use of mind penetration techniques which can be categorized both in terms of consequences, Good and Bad. People have always tried to pin point the merits and de-merits of cartoons and popular culture. In this research I would like to describe its effect on Children and teenagers globally.

 Objectives

Objectives of this research is to pinpoint the behaviors, attitudes which are results of watching cartoons, motion pictures and popular culture and acting on underlying or apparent  call-of-action. This research would also give statistical and geographical evidences to support the validity of theoretical premise.

 Significance

Significance of this research can be measured in terms of its recommendations to cope with negative suggestions and persuasions. Identifying, rooting out and rectifying the wrong ideas can help us save our children from unwanted beliefs and lethal social behavior.

Problem statement

Popular culture has become a problem in itself. Cartoons and motions pictures are entrenching subliminal messages in the minds of children. Issues that concerns in this reports are its negative effects and how can it be studied in right context and how to pinpoint key problems with the system and how can they be rectified.

Effects of cartoons on children research Project

Theoretical Framework

Inventory of variable

Children’s behavior, Age, Duration of watching TV, state, reflexes,  reactions, requests,  anger over being stopped, parent’s satisfaction with cartoons and commercial gains.

 Direction of relation

This research establishes that cartoons and other media have negatives impacts on children’s attitude and psychology.

 Explanation

Research has shown that children’s behavior undergo a negative change when children watch popular culture and cartoons. Subliminal messages and attractive unethical ideologies entrench a strong presence in child psychology.

Propositions

 

• There is a relationship between cartoons and children behavior.
• There is a relationship between TV shows and other media on children behavior
• There is a relationship between content of cartoons and commercialism.

Hypothesis

Null Hypothesis:

1. Cartoons have no negative effects on Children.
2. Alternative Hypothesis:
3. Cartoons have negative effects on children.

 Null Hypothesis:

1. There are no effects of TV shows and other media on children.
2. Alternative Hypothesis
3. There are negative effects of TV shows and other media on children

Research Design

Classification of research

Since this research explains why cartoons have negative impact on children and their behavior this research will be classified as Explanatory Research. This research takes time to enquire into children’s behavior before and after watching cartoons and reviews literature on findings by other people on same matters, this is exploratory research.

 Data collection techniques

This research is a mix of both qualitative and quantitative research methods since we are going to use current statistics from previous researches and we have also conducted a survey of  parents on how their children behave before and after watching cartoons. There are 10 questions in each questionnaire. Parents are not given any instructions so research is transparent and natural.

Population

 The population of this research are randomly chosen  parents whose children are of different age studying at different schools both English and Urdu mediums. Random sampling technique is used to make sure we don’t  cherry pick our respondents.

 Sample

50  parents were asked 10 questions on how their children behave before and after watching cartoons and popular TV shows and movies. Questionnaire is given at the end for review.

 Tools of data collection

Sampling technique used is called convenience sampling. We handed out questionnaires to parents at schools nearby and asked them to mail it to us or fill it at the spot. This method was chosen for convenience.

We have used two tools in this research. One is using the existing research statistics and other is conducting our own survey.

 We have collected data by handing out parents, surveys. They filled them and handed them back to us.

 Findings

We have found that parents are not satisfied by the effects of cartoons and TV shows on their children. They are concerned about the effects and some parents have strictly forbidden their children from watching specific shows and cartoons. Parents are actively engaging their children in other physical activities instead of watching TVs. Almost 100% parents think that cartoons are orient towards commercial gains.

Recommendations

With the help of these findings I would recommend that alternate ways of entertaining children should be devised. Physical activities, creative contests and storytelling are better alternatives. This is also supported by famous writer charlotte blistery in her book “Deliberate numbing down of America”. We need to start thinking about creative and better ways to educate our children and to keep them from falling a prey to commercial Frankenstein.

Questionnaire:

Following questions were asked in questionnaire:

How old is your child?

• 5-9
• 10-12
• 12-18

How many hours he watch TV?

• 1
• 2
• 3

How would you describe him/her ?

• Peaceful
• Belligerent
• Impassive

 

How do you define him while he watches cartoons?

• Absorbed
• Relaxed
• Frantic

Does your child remains under the spell of cartoon characters after watching them?

• Always
• Never
• For sometime

Does your child become violent after watching warfare movies or cartoons?

 

• Yes
• No
• Never noticed

 

Does your child wants you to get them stickers and dolls and other things show in cartoons at market ?

• Yes
• No
• Never noticed.

Do your children get angry if you stop them from watching cartoons ?

• Sure thing
• Sometimes
• Never

Do you believe cartoons are promoting corporate interests more than ethical teachings ?

• Yes
• No
• Can’t say.

Given a chance, will you choose  alternative activities to cartoons and movies:

• Yes
• No
• Probably.

Hypothesis testing

 

First hypothesis is seemingly true because all respondents have showed interest in adopting alternate ways of child education and entertainment. Alternate hypothesis is the right one because 100% thought that cartoons are not good. A sample of 50 voted against it. There is specifically no need of running a regression test on this hypothesis because of self-evident responses.

Second hypothesis also stands true because heavy majority has vented out their feelings against negative effects of media. There is no need of running hypothesis test on this because 100% respondents told us that children felt violent about warfare cartoons and movies.