Why are we so desensitized?

There is no clear-cut answer; however, we are desensitized. The first step to solving a problem is to at least admit that there is one. If you think you are sensitive, when is the last time something shocked you? There are lots and lots of things happening around us everyday that should be causing us some concern and they are not.

We have become used to violence. There is still violence in cartoons! We are exposing our small children to violence at a very young age. Not only that, we are sending them the message that violence is funny. "Here ya go, here's some entertainment for you, laugh it up!" I've seen the Care Bears brandishing swords in one of their movies. The Care Bears for goodness sakes!

Of course, not all cartoons and children's programming is violent. There is some really great programming out there but don't assume that it is good for your child just because it appears to be for children. Take a second look. Is there violence? Is there name calling? If we at least got rid of these two things in children's programming we would be sending them a clear message as to what is acceptable and what is not acceptable. The line is incredibly grey at this point and we, as a society, are suffering because of it.

There is nobody to blame but we can at least start recognizing this as a problem. We can stop saying, "I watched violence in cartoons and I'm fine." If nothing shocks you anymore, you are hardly "fine." Some things definitely should shock you and when they do you will be less likely to turn a "blind eye" to them.

In addition, what about violent video games? Why are we giving our children the message that violence is a form of entertainment? Why is killing people entertaining?

Why has the Simpsons become America's most loved family? Homer chokes Bart and the audience roars with laughter. Why is that funny? It is not and what is unfortunate is that there are many children out there who are being treated very poorly by their parents and the Simpsons is just reinforcing it.

Many people still believe that it is okay to spank their children. Why? Isn't this just sending them the message that it is okay to be violent when you are angry and frustrated? It is absolutely never okay to be violent and spanking them is sending them completely the wrong message. Then, they will just feel like it is okay to harm another child that angers and frustrates them. And the cycle continues... until individually we start recognizing the problem.

Discipline, in essence, means "to teach." The first step to discipline is acting as a role model. Unfortunately, there are not that many out there at this point. Raising our children is an uphill battle as long as everyone continues to be just "fine" with how things are going.