A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF VIOLENT FILM AND ITS EFFECTS ON NIGERIA FEMALE CHILDREN

ABSTRACT: This study was carried out to  examine the effect of violent film on Nigerian female children in Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. Specifically, the study figured out why people make violent movies, determine the harmful consequences of viewing violent films on female youngsters, learn more about how violent films influence female children's behavior and provide recommendations for reducing the harmful impact of violent films on Nigerian female youngster. The study employed the survey descriptive research design. Questionnaire was used for data collection which was raised against a four Likert scale of Strongly Agree(SA), Agree(A), Strongly Disagree(SD) and Disagree(D). A total of 97 respondents were conveniently selected as sample size comprising of Nigerian female children from six selected communities in Osodi-Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State. Out of the 97 respondents, 70 responses were validated from the survey. The study adopted the Intra-individual theory. From the responses obtained and analyzed, the findings revealed that violent film affects the behaviour of Nigeria female children. This implies that unrestricted access to violent films has the ability to influence the behaviour of Nigerian female children because they are powerful and influential agent. The findings of this study indicated that there are negative effects associated with watching violent films on female  children. More so, the study revealed that there are several negative effects associated with watching violent films on female  children, among them include; practice of rape, addiction to nudity, engaging in theft, practice of wayward pattern of dressing, practising alcoholism, engaging in prostitution, engagement in criminal acts, interest in bloody fight, interest in practising cultism, desensitization to violence, increased fear of being victimized by violence.

The study also disclosed that there are various ways in which the negative effect caused by violent films on Nigerian children can be controlled and among include; by parent been involved in what their children watch on the television, by putting a password on stations that shows violent films, by limiting and censoring what children can watch on the television, by allowing them to be supervised by an  adults, not having assess to the television. Lastly the study made it clear that there are reasons behind the production of violent films.

With respect to the  findings and conclusions of this study, it was therefore recommended that parents should try to explain the true consequences of violence, and point out how unrealistic it is for children to get away with violent behavior, parents should not let their female children spend too much time on violence movies as the more time they spend immersed in violent content, the greater its impact and influence. And parents should Check out ratings, and, when there are none, find out about content. For example, content in a 1992 R-rated movie is now acceptable for a PG-13. Streaming online videos aren't rated and can showcase very brutal stuff.