Influence of Animated Cartoons on the Behavioral Development of Children in Ikeja City
Chapter One
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY
The objectives of the study are;
- To ascertain the influence of animated cartoon on behavior development of children
- To find out whether children do actually understand the Message of animated cartoon
- To determine whether children should be encouraged or discouraged from watching cartoons
- To make reasonable recommendations on the children and cartoon selection.
CHAPTER TWO
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
MEANING OF CARTOONS
A cartoon is a type of two-dimensional illustration, possibly animated. While the specific definition has changed over time, modern usage refers to (a) a typically non-realistic or semi-realistic artistic style of drawing or painting, (b) an image or series of images intended for satire, caricature, or humor, or (c) a motion picture that relies on a sequence of illustrations for its animation. An artist who creates cartoons is called a cartoonist. The concept originated in the Middle Ages and first described a preparatory drawing for a piece of art, such as a painting, fresco, tapestry, or stained glass window. In the 19th century, it came to refer to humorous illustrations in magazines and newspapers, and after the early 20th century, it referred to comic strips and animated films.A cartoon (from Italian: cartone and Dutch: karton—words describing strong, heavy paper or pasteboard) is a full-size drawing made on sturdy paper as a study or modello for a painting, stained glass or tapestry. Cartoons were typically used in the production of frescoes, to accurately link the component parts of the composition when painted on damp plaster over a series of days (giornate). Such cartoons often have pinpricks along the outlines of the design so that a bag of soot patted or “pounced” over the cartoon, held against the wall, would leave black dots on the plaster (“pouncing”). Cartoons by painters, such as the Raphael Cartoons in London, and examples by Leonardo da Vinci, are highly prized in their own right. Tapestry cartoons, usually coloured, were followed with the eye by the weavers on the loom
In modern print media, a cartoon is an illustration or series of illustrations, usually humorous in intent. This usage dates from 1843, when Punch magazine applied the term to satirical drawings in its pages,[5] particularly sketches by John Leech. The first of these parodied the preparatory cartoons for grand historical frescoes in the then-new Palace of Westminster. The original title for these drawings was Mr Punch’s face is the letter Q and the new title “cartoon” was intended to be ironic, a reference to the self-aggrandizing posturing of Westminster politicians.Cartoons can be divided into gag cartoons, which include editorial cartoons, and comic strips.Modern single-panel gag cartoons, found in magazines, generally consist of a single drawing with a typeset caption positioned beneath, or much less often a speech balloon. Newspaper syndicates have also distributed single-panel gag cartoons by Mel Calman, Bill Holman, Gary Larson, George Lichty, Fred Neher and others. Many consider New Yorker cartoonist Peter Arno the father of the modern gag cartoon (as did Arno himself). The roster of magazine gag cartoonists includes names like Charles Addams, Charles Barsotti and Chon Day. Bill Hoest, Jerry Marcus and Virgil Partch began as magazine gag cartoonists and moved to syndicated comic strips. Richard Thompsonis noteworthy in the area of newspaper cartoon illustration; he illustrated numerous feature articles in The Washington Post before creating his Cul de Sac comic strip. The sports section of newspapers usually featured cartoons, sometimes including syndicated features such as Chester “Chet” Brown’s All in Sport.Editorial cartoons are found almost exclusively in news publications and news websites. Although they also employ humor, they are more serious in tone, commonly using irony or satire. The art usually acts as a visual metaphor to illustrate a point of view on current social and/or political topics. Editorial cartoons often include speech balloons and sometimes use multiple panels. Editorial cartoonists of note include Herblock, David Low, Jeff MacNelly, Mike Peters and Gerald Scarfe.
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Introduction
This chapter deals with the method used in collecting data required in carrying out this research work it explains the procedures that were followed and the instrument used in collecting data.
Sources of data collection
Data were collected from two main sources namely:
(i)Primary source and
(ii)Secondary source
Primary source:
These are materials of statistical investigation which were collected by the research for a particular purpose. They can be obtained through a survey, observation questionnaire or as experiment, the researcher has adopted the questionnaire method for this study.
Secondary source:
These are data from textbook Journal handset etc. they arise as byproducts of the same other purposes. Example administration, various other unpublished works and write ups were also used.
Population of the study
Population of a study is a group of persons or aggregate items, things the researcher is interested in getting information from for the study influence of animated cartoons on the behaviourial development of children in Ikeja City. 200 pupils of selected primary schools  in Ikeja City were selected randomly by the researcher as the population of the study.
CHAPTER FOUR
PRESENTATION ANALYSIS INTERPRETATION OF DATA
Introduction
Efforts will be made at this stage to present, analyze and interpret the data collected during the field survey. Â This presentation will be based on the responses from the completed questionnaires. The result of this exercise will be summarized in tabular forms for easy references and analysis. It will also show answers to questions relating to the research questions for this research study. The researcher employed simple percentage in the analysis.
CHAPTER FIVE
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
Introduction
It is important to ascertain that the objective of this study was to ascertain influence of animated cartoons on the behaviourial development of children in Ikeja City. In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given. In this chapter, certain recommendations made which in the opinion of the researcher will be of benefits in addressing the challenges of influence of animated cartoons on the behaviourial development of children in Ikeja CityÂ
Summary
This study was on influence of animated cartoons on the behaviourial development of children in Ikeja City. Five objectives were raised which included: To ascertain the influence of animated cartoon on behavior development of children, to find out whether children do actually understand the Message of animated cartoon, to determine whether children should be encouraged or discouraged from watching cartoons, to make reasonable recommendations on the children and cartoon selection. In line with these objectives, two research hypotheses were formulated and two null hypotheses were posited. The total population for the study is 200 staff of selected primary schools in Ikeja City. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. Descriptive Survey research design was adopted for this study. A total of 133 respondents made headmasters, teachers, non teaching staff and junior staff were used for the study. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies
Conclusion
In today’s generation television has a great influence on children. The social effects of television are numerous and definitely vary in positive and negative ways. Cartoons are a good source of education and knowledge which help children learn the values of this world. But these days’ cartoons tend to show a lot of violence and obscenity. That is the main reason why children should be monitored while they are watching their favourite cartoon shows. Organizations like British Board of Film Class (BBFC) and Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) put ratings on cartoon shows and movies in order to inform the viewer of the content of their material.
Recommendation
Television plays an important role in shaping children’s social behaviour therefore it is important to regulate the content of television programmes in order to combat the negative influences that it might have on its viewers especially children who are generally vulnerable. Unlike their TV traditional role which is to entertain children, cartoons have evolved and these days we find cartoons that have mature content that are not intended for children and should not be mistakenly aired during children’s TV viewing time which is usually between 2-8pm. It is the responsibility of television programmers to set their programmes in a way that cartoons with mature content are not aired during children’s programmes belt. Children are young human beings between the ages of 1-12 years old. The younger children in this category (1-7) are most of the time unable to decide for themselves on what is right or wrong and real or unreal and the duty lies with the parents to decide for them as regards what they can and cannot watch. In the course of this study, the researchers discovered that most of the parents were unaware of the cartoon programmes that their children watch, they know their children watch cartoons but they are oblivious of the names and content of these cartoon programmes. This is not in order as children who generally have impressionable minds can pick different things from cartoons if they are not properly regulated. Therefore, parents and guardians should take special time to educate their children on what is right and wrong, what is appropriate for their age and what is not and regulate what they watch. The government as well as Organizations, NGO’s etc. should also play a vital role in the sponsorship and promotion of young and upcoming animators so as to encourage them to develop indigenous cartoons. People in this category should help to give these animators the right plat form to do their work. There should also be some enlightenment programmes to educate parents and guardians on the need to monitor what kinds of cartoon programmes the children watch in order to ensure their appropriateness.
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