Comical cartoon violence disillusions children to the negativity of violence. The popular comedy cartoon, “The Simpsons,” frequently portrays the obnoxious son Bart Simpsons making a rude comment or practicing in mischief. His punishment is usually being strangled by his father Homer Simpson (see Appendix A). After a short sequence of bulging eyes and lolling tongue, Bart is completely fine and the comedy continues. A similarly violent cartoon is “Family Guy.” The most violent character is an infant named Stewie Griffin. Stewie is portrayed as a genius, inventing many strange and destructive devices. During many episodes Stewie will attempt to kill or maim a member of his family. Even after being brutally beaten with a baseball bat or shot with an automatic weapon (see Appendix B). The Griffins are perfectly fine a few minutes later. Both of these violent cartoons portray violence as being comedic, and having no serious or permanent negative effects. Cartoon violence presented as a form of comedy removes inhibitions that a child might have towards violent actions (Ledingham & Richardson, 1993). This increases the likelihood of violence from children towards siblings and classmates, based on the belief that violence is either humorous, or is only temporarily damaging to the victim.
Ledingham, Jane E., Ledingham C. A., & Richardson, John E. (1993). La violence dans les médias: ses effets sur les enfants. Retrieved October 28, 2009, from http://dsp-psd.pwgsc.gc.ca/Collection/H72-21-91-1993F.pdf
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