Analysing Impact of Violence —How does it affect families, children and youngsters:

While violence is not new to the human race, it is an increasing problem in modern society. Violence can be defined in many ways. The World Health Organization (WHO) promotes a broad definition of violence. With great inventions and new technological advancements, the impact of violence is increasing considerably.

The intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death or psychological harm.

This topic deals with how violence affects the behavior of family members, youngsters and children of all age groups. Impact of violence is observed almost everywhere in and around us.

There are many types of violence that are commonly found:

1. Physical Violence (Domestic violence)

2. Psychological Violence

3. Self- Directed Violence (Harming one’s own self)

4. Violent Video games that affect the behavior of children

5. Violence in families because of movies and television programmes.

Violence can be of many types; the basic ones being Physical violence normally referred to as Domestic Violence where one or more episodes of aggressive behavior, usually resulting in physical injury with possible damage to internal organs, sense organs, the central nervous system, or the musculoskeletal system of another person.

Then comes psychological violence which comprises of  Emotional abuse, mental abuse A form of mistreatment in which there is intent to cause mental or emotional pain or injury; Psychological violence  includes verbal aggression, statements intended to humiliate or infantilize and  insults and results in stress, social withdrawal, long-term   depression. Then comes Self-directed violence which includes suicidal behavior and self-harm.

The effect of violence on children is observed when they become aggressive and arrogant. Playing video games brings in a great deal of aggression in the mind of the children and directly affect them leading them to behave in an arrogant manner.  If there is domestic violence in a family, the child feels himself responsible for it they do not understand that it is a problem between the adults. They might feel that parents are fighting because their school performance, fighting with siblings etc. Family violence often leaves the child with a feeling of confusion in particular when they feel close to both parents. Their feelings of love and affection towards both parents conflicts with what is happing between them

Today 99% of the houses in India have televisions be it anyone, from the rich to the poorest... Over quarter of all children who have a well-to-do of family background have a television set in their bedrooms. This gives a greater opportunity for children to view programs without parental supervision. Studies reveal that children watch approximately 28 hours of television a week, more time than they spend in school when they have separate bedrooms of their own.

Some researchers have demonstrated that young children imitate aggressive acts that that see on television serial and talk about it with peers. Before age 4, children are unable to make a difference between fact and fantasy and may view violence as an ordinary occurrence. In general, violence on television and in movies often conveys a model of conflict that gives rise to aggression. Heroes are violent, and, as such, are rewarded for their behavior. They become role models for youth.

Violence is observed almost everywhere. Be it local trains, be it ticket queue or be it in schools, colleges, etc. We all fall a prey to such kind of violence.