The effect of violence within the infamous cartoon animation of “Tom and Jerry” on children’s attitude and behavior

The effect of violence within the infamous cartoon animation of “Tom and Jerry” on children’s attitude and behavior

ٌResearcher: Mohammed Dashti

"Tom and Jerry" needs no further introduction as it has been around since 1940, casting over six generations and has aired all around the world. Between 1940 up to 1957, the original Tom and Jerry creators William Hanna and Joseph Barbera aimed to produce this cartoon franchise in order to entertain adults, while many believe that it was further suitable for children. This cartoon was known for its classification as a slapstick comedy animation, a common comedy genre back then within the yesteryears. 

Nonetheless, this cartoon embodies some forms of violence to coordinate with achieving up to the standards of what is slapstick comedy. The forms of violence present include being hit, kicked, grabbed, squashed, bitten, punched, slapped, thrown, and smashed with and without violent instruments. However, these forms of violence were not introduced within “Tom and Jerry”, but present in other cartoon animations and feature films under the category of slapstick, common back in early 20th century. 

Today within the modern society, some parents are concerned about introducing “Tom and Jerry” to their children due to the presence of violence. Surprisingly, most of these parents grew up watching the cartoon animation and were entertained nostalgically, as many expressed their opinions on several online platforms, however yet show concerns due to complying with today’s society standards and fear the misadventures of the upcoming generation.

Analyzing the forms of violence, impacts can be classified as positive and negative. Initiating with its negativity, the cartoon animation reveals violent tools that if used in reality may result in extreme injury or loss of life. Children are known to imitate what they perceive as a part of their early learning process of nurturing. Thankfully, many tools are not present or impossible to be acquired for children’s misuse. This leaves to non-instrumental violence of which can be easily implemented through visualization. Acts of bullying, beating, kicking, etc. are yet present within children of modern day, initiating negative ethical morals and values of which may grow if not interrupted within a child’s early life. The chances of a child misbehaving are present of which this cartoon may ‘realistically’ have little to no impact.

Studying the positive impact of “Tom and Jerry” on children, the cartoon animation seamlessly tends to possess hidden messages associated with wisdom. Children may learn to avoid such violent altercations by respecting others and their boundaries and understanding what others feel and need. “Tom and Jerry” manifests ideas including the power of teamwork and what it can achieve as of when both Tom and Jerry teamed up in some certain episodes. Moreover, it teaches children with how daily life on-going challenges look-like, ways to overcome and most importantly, “attitude matters and not size”.