A fascinating new study finds that parents who watch violent or sexualized movies become desensitized—and more willing to let their kids watch. Researchers were surprised how quickly parental attitudes shifted. They "found that when they had 1,000 parents watch a series of movie clips, the group seemed to be less bothered by violent or sexual content with each successive clip… After the first clip, parents typically said the content was OK for a 17-year-old, but not a younger child. By the time they saw the last clip, however, they were ready to let a 14-year-old watch.”
"I'm not sure parents realize their own movie-viewing habits might influence their decisions about what their kids can watch," Van Cleave said. "But I think that's something they should be aware of."
And what's the harm of allowing a 12-year-old to see violence or sex on screen? Both Van Cleave and Romer said there is research linking exposure to media violence and sex to kids' behavior -- though that doesn't prove cause-and-effect.
And it's not clear whether different types of violence -- a robot being destroyed, versus a person being shot -- could have different effects, according to Romer. "That's an open question," he said. "We don't know whether fantasy violence could be less harmful."
Romer suggested that parents "think more deeply" about the kinds of film content they want their kids to see. Even if a violent scene doesn't make you bat an eye, he said, consider what it might be like to see it for the first time.
http://www.wcax.com/story/26829155/desensitized-parents-let-kids-watch-more-movie-violence-sex
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