How Cartoons Without Moral Lessons Impact Children’s Development
By Wasim Kakroo
IN today’s digital age, children have easy access to a wide variety of entertainment, including cartoons. Cartoons have long been a popular form of entertainment for children, offering colorful visuals, engaging characters, and entertaining storylines. However, not all cartoons are created equal, and many of the cartoons that are nowadays played on various T.V channels unfortunately lack the essential ingredient of moral lessons.
This trend is particularly concerning now as access to cartoons is via unmonitored mediums like Youtube. In Kashmir, as with the rest of the world, children as young as four-years had to be given smartphones when covid-19 made schools inaccessible. This need came at a huge cost. Often parents could not monitor or regulate the use of smartphones among their kids and now it is difficult to monitor what content one’s children consume. It is possible but increasingly tedious. Many parents try to keep their kids from content that is obviously inappropriate. However, even cartoons can be detrimental.
Historically too, cartoons have been found to be with many adult allusions and in some cases, even innuendos. While the risk of indoctrination is a much talked of phenomenon as far as the content meant for kids is concerned, its psychological effects are often under discussed.
Cartoons serve as an incredibly influential medium through which children can learn and shape their moral compass. With their engaging storylines and relatable characters, cartoons often present children with ethical dilemmas, showcasing the potential consequences of their actions. This exposure to moral lessons is crucial for children to grasp the fundamental distinctions between right and wrong. However, when cartoons fail to incorporate these valuable teachings, children are deprived of essential opportunities for moral growth. As a result, their moral development may suffer, leaving them unequipped to effectively navigate the complexities of real-life situations. Therefore, it is imperative to recognize the significant role that cartoons play in fostering children’s moral understanding and ensure that they continue to provide meaningful moral lessons.
Additionally, limited moral development in children can be exacerbated by cartoons that lack moral lessons. Such cartoons often depict characters engaging in unrealistic behaviors and actions without facing any consequences. As a result, children may internalize these portrayals and anticipate similar outcomes in their own lives. However, when their expectations collide with the realities of the world, it can give rise to feelings of frustration, disappointment, and even a sense of inadequacy. Moreover, the absence of moral lessons in cartoons perpetuates the dangerous notion that negative actions carry no repercussions, fostering a dearth of accountability and empathy among young viewers.
Moreover, many cartoons feature action-packed sequences and fictional violence. Although a certain degree of fantasy violence may not be inherently detrimental, the absence of moral lessons within these shows can potentially result in a distorted perception of violence among young viewers. Without proper guidance regarding the consequences and ethical implications of aggressive behavior, children might start perceiving violence as a normalized and acceptable way to resolve conflicts. Consequently, this could have far-reaching consequences on their interpersonal relationships and overall psychological and emotional well-being, as they may adopt violent tendencies and struggle with developing empathy and understanding for others.
On the other hand, Cartoons with moral lessons often explore complex emotions, helping children understand and manage their own feelings effectively. By exposing children to narratives that emphasize empathy, compassion, and emotional resilience, these shows facilitate crucial emotional learning experiences. Conversely, the absence of moral lessons deprives children of these valuable opportunities, hindering their ability to identify and cope with their own emotions, as well as comprehend the emotional states of others. Consequently, they may encounter challenges when attempting to establish healthy relationships and navigate social interactions.
On the contrary, cartoons lacking moral lessons may perpetuate stereotypes and reinforce negative biases. When characters are portrayed in simplistic and one-dimensional manners, it can inadvertently reinforce gender, racial, or cultural stereotypes, thus influencing how children perceive the world around them. Such an influence can have profound and enduring effects on their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, ultimately fostering prejudice and discrimination. On the other hand, cartoons that incorporate moral lessons serve as powerful tools to promote inclusivity, diversity, and acceptance. By imparting these values, they assist in nurturing an open-minded and tolerant worldview among children, shaping them into more compassionate and empathetic individuals.
Cartoons that incorporate moral lessons play a crucial role in shaping children’s thinking patterns by encouraging them to engage in critical analysis and consider various perspectives. When characters in these cartoons are presented with dilemmas and ethical choices, children are prompted to evaluate the situations and make informed decisions based on their understanding of right and wrong.
However, in the absence of moral lessons, cartoons may prioritize entertainment value over fostering critical thinking skills. These cartoons tend to offer pure amusement without providing opportunities for children to ponder ethical dilemmas or develop problem-solving abilities. As a result, children may struggle to navigate real-life situations that require thoughtful decision-making or moral reasoning.
The consequences of limited moral development extend beyond the immediate realm of cartoons. Children who do not engage with moral lessons in their formative years may face challenges in comprehending complex ethical issues in society. They may lack the capacity to empathize with others, appreciate diverse viewpoints, and make morally responsible choices. Ultimately, this deficiency can hinder their ability to contribute positively to their communities and the world at large.
To foster holistic intellectual growth, it is essential to expose children to cartoons that encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and ethical reasoning. By striking a balance between entertainment and moral lessons, these cartoons can provide children with the cognitive tools necessary for their personal development and equip them to navigate the complexities of life with integrity and compassion.
- The author is a licensed clinical psychologist (alumni of Govt. Medical College Srinagar) and works as a Child, Adolescent and Family therapist at Centre for Mental Health Services (CMHS) at Rambagh Srinagar. He can be reached at 8825067196
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