Why+Do+Children+Watch+Television?



The researcher, Eleanor E. Maccoby, studied children to see if the kids who are more distressed in the home are more likely to watch television, and retreat into a fantasy world. This is an important topic to discuss because it delves into the role of parents, and whether they should be more active in deciding what their kids watch and how much time they spend in front of the TV.
 * What is the researcher's purpose? Why is this topic of interest?**

This is most relevant to the chapter "Fantasy and Reality" in //Killing Monsters//, by Gerard Jones. In his article he studies different groups of parents who limit the imaginative play associated with violent acts such as toy guns, and also the amount of violent TV their kids watch.
 * What is the most relevant prior work that other researchers have done on this topic?**

The research asks: are kids who watch TV more likely to be distressed in the home? What is the function of fantasy in the individual? **
 * What is the research question explored in this article?

The sample tests the hypothesis: children will spend more time watching television if they are highly frustrated in real life than if they are not.
 * What are the characteristics of the sample?

What variables are measured? The length of time children spend watching television. Punishment for aggression toward parents. Permissiveness of sex behavior in child. Mother's response to dependent behavior in child. How far away from home is child allowed to go alone? How frequently mother checks on child's whereabouts. Level of obedience demands. Level of demands for quiet, neatness, good table manners, and going to bed on time. Extent of use of physical punishment. Affectionate relationship: mother to child.

Pick two variables are describe how they are operationalized. Punishment for aggression toward parents. Kids were asked whether they thought this was mild, moderate, or severe.

How frequently mother checks on child's whereabouts. Mothers were asked if they thought they did it seldom, never, occasionally, fairly often, or constantly.

How was the data analyzed? Each variable was positioned next to the amount of time the child spends watching TV. The data shows the relationship between the amount of time spent watching TV and the variables.

What are the main findings of the study? Children who were treated harshly by parents were almost 50% more likely to watch a half an hour more of television than kids who were treated fairly or in a non-threatening manner.

What new questions does the researcher have to consider emerge as a result of this research? How much do parents underestimate the amount of time their kids watch TV?

How does this article affect your own thinking about the topic? I realized that fantasy provides an escape for some children. It also functions as wish fulfillment, as though a child may carry out a desire by relating that desire to television or other media. I learned that children are more likely to have this desire to escape if their parents are treating them unfairly or harshly. **

Maccoby, Eleanor E. (1954) Why Do Children Watch Television?. //The Public Opinion Quarterly//(18 ), pp. 239, 244.
 * What is the APA citation for this work?**