Chapter 1: _DRAFT

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

A.  Background of the Study

        Watching cartoons is one of the stress relievers in people's lives. It makes a person's childhood more of a surprise by making him laugh and cry. Newspapers become more interesting because of the cartoons they feature. Whether it is Garfield, Popeye, or the classic, Archie, cartoons are able to ignite people's enthusiasm to continue living their lives to the fullest. The persons who have watched and read cartoons since they were kids testify that cartoons have really been a part of  people's growth and development. Cartoons influence a lot of people. They tend to inherit some of cartoon character's traits, but sad to say, these are most often the bad ones. 

        Cartoons nowadays are very popular. It is so rampant that almost all the people in the world watch, from Tom & Jerry to Oggy, from Popeye to Sponge Bob, Kids know all of these, especially the adults who also grew up watching these shows.

Children love cartoons. Some even patronise it, making it as the centre of their lives. They even became as their childhood teddy bears which they kiss and hug,  their best friends, and acted as a guide to adolescence.

A lot of kids nowadays are influenced by Cartoons, because they can be easily accessed through television, internet, and magazines. They even emulate how the characters speak, walk, and the way they deal with problems in the society. Even how they dress is being imitated by the kids. This reality just proves the great influence of cartoons to the growing up years of children, which they could carry up to their adulthood. 

Parents let their children get hooked up in watching cartoons, because they think that it is safe for them to watch cartoon humour. They also believe that these shows give moral lessons to their children not knowing the dangerous effects that their kids might catch. Because of their busy schedules in their work, they don't notice anymore the bad effects of cartoons to their kids' behaviour. 

Cartoons may be considered one of the founders of our society because they are easily accessible to kids and adults alike. It may be online, or through print media like newspaper and magazine. They are so addictive that's why many people support and follow them daily. It could be a replacement already to soap operas because they are giving a whole box of categories. Cartoons also become their child's source of easy and early education. Since they imitate whatever they watch, they become very good in diction and the way they talk. Speech is not anymore a problem to kids who are very fond of watching these shows which make their parents believe that these are really commendable to their kids.

               Even though Cartoons are very popular these days, the researcher observes that cartoons are actually bad for kids.

               The information in this paper will help the readers determine why fairy tales are read to children. In addition, it will help the readers decide whether they should tell fairy tales to their own children or not.

            A problem that the researcher foresees is that some parents might forbid their children from watching cartoon shows thinking that it might be bad for their education. But some cartoons are not made for entertainment or pleasure alone, some have deep meaning and depressing connection to human behavior. Providing the readers more information on the topic of cartoons would allow them to make decisions whether they should allow  their children to watch cartoons and just help them guide their children's understanding of cartoons.

            The purpose of this paper is to explain why cartoons could be bad for kids.

B.  Statement of the Problem

This study aims to answer this question:

1.   What are the bad effects if parents let their children watch cartoons?

        C. Significance of the Study

  Parents. This research paper would be able to help parents understand the connection of cartoons their kids are watching to their kids’ behavior, both in the school and inside the house. This will help them to be more picky when it comes to the cartoons their kids are watching.

  Kids. Kids who love to watch cartoons as much as I do will learn how to appreciate art in cartoons. Good or Bad, this will enlighten their young minds to the real world that they will encounter someday. Let this research be a guide for them to control the things they are watching, and the secrets they discover.

  Non-cartoon Fans. Knowledge about this study could help people who have not been a fan of cartoon series since birth decide whether their decision not to watch cartoons is right or wrong. This study may not be significant to them, but they could still use this information someday in the real world.

  Future Researchers. This study could be significant to future researchers as this would help them make similar observations and statements about the said topic. There is no crucial need for the topic to be further researched on to, but their future studies might discover or uncover any information that can be related to cartoon series.

C. Scope and Delimitation

     The purpose of this research is to determine the hidden secrets of Cartoon series, and if they can affect the mental and social aspects of kids, and to decide whether the parents should keep their children watch cartoon shows.

     Due to some constraints, this study will no longer focus on other effects of cartoons such as mono phobia. The researcher believes that violence, sadism, and feminism are some of the main effects of cartoons to children and teenagers. It will also give more emphasis and clarification on the said effects.

D. Materials and Methods

     Information and data that are relevant to the study were gathered from a variety of articles/ sites in the internet, such as growingfaith.com.au, schoolatoz.nsw.edu.au, and vigilantcitizen.com.

     The researcher suggests that for one to be familiarized further with the subject, he needs to read other cartoon concerned articles found online, and also  read the psychological effects of cartoons to human beings in order to establish a connection between the said subjects. Watching cartoon shows could also help analyze data in order for one to experience and determine the effects.

E.  Definition of Terms

Cartoons. A simple drawing showing the features of its subjects in a humorously exaggerated way, especially a satirical one in newspaper or magazine.

Sadism. The tendency to derive pleasure, especially sexual gratification, from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation to others.

Violence. Behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.

Inherit. As an heir at the death of the previous holder.