Effect of television watching on the Behaviour of pre-school children: a Comparative study of boys and girls from Thika Municipality, Kenya
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Date
2013-11-11
Authors
Maina, Agnes Wanjiru
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Abstract
This study aimed at examining the effects of television viewing on behaviour of pre-school children. It is estimated that 65% of children in Kenya, especially those from urban
households' have access to violent television programmes. The problem posed by TVs
violent content and its possible effects on regular viewers especially children is a critical and
pressing one. Studies on the content of TV programmes have consistently found a high
degree of violence present in several programmes, and this may be even greater in children.
This study investigated through a gender perspective the impact of television watching on
behaviour of pre-school boys and girls using a descriptive survey. The sample population for
this study were 200 children comprising 100 boys and 100 girls drawn from public and
private pre-schools in Thika Municipality. The method of sampling was random sampling
through a three step sampling scheme from a population aged 3-5 years. Finding indicates a
correlation between exposure to television and aggressive behaviour as well as differences in
the behaviour portrayed in the level of aggressiveness. Majority pre-school children were
exposed to television on an average 1-2 hours per day, and boys were more likely to develop
aggressive behaviours than girls after violent television exposure. The study recommends that
parents and caregivers should restrict television viewing time and encourage viewing
prosocial and education programmes, particularly among children.
Description
Department of Gender and Development Studies