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Killing Monsters: Why Children Need Fantasy, Super Heroes, and Make-Believe Violence by Gerard Jones
dondashall's review
5.0
A really fascinating book on the role of make-believe violence with a really nuanced discussion of media violence. While it's focusing almost entirely on children it was really fascinating and a lot of stuff I didn't know here. It's also interesting to note that the author isn't really a progressive. As you read it you come to see the author as probably a pretty conservative person, at best maybe a centrist - several cases comes up where he really show he doesn't like certain media products - but one who was able to listen to the people in question - why do you partake in this product, and really follow that inquiry and come to conclusions that it isn't the evil that it's made out to be. Really fascinating.
jjohnsen's review
4.0
Violent games, movies and comics are good for children according to the author of Killing Monsters, Gerard Jones, and blaming it for problems can affect emotional development. I'm not sure about the being good for children part, but he makes a good case for the importance of this type of thing while they are growing up. His biggest reason is that fantasy in media is a safe place for kids to learn how to deal with violence, fear and the emotions that go along with it. When they encounter these types of things in real life they'll be more emotionally prepared.
So Halo is basically a vaccine for the bully they're sure to encounter some time in their life.
He also takes time to show how ridiculous studies are that tie violent media to actual violent children. Violence for children and violence for adults aren't exactly the same thing, it doesn't have the permanence to children that it might to adults. And playing a violent video game may help a child understand that they can have some control over violence and it doesn't have to be something that overwhelms them. It may be more important for us as parents to ask our kids why they like certain things in video games or movies rather than assume if it's violent our children could only like it for that violence.
The book has plenty of analysis and study in it, but at times the Jones focuses too much on his own experience, which I dont' really care about. There is plenty here to back up his ideas, but I'd rather have more of that and less of what he thinks about it. Of course the book is more interesting with his personal views, so maybe they traded a dry scientific book for something a little more interesting with analysis and facts mixed with personal anecdotes.
I already shared many of his views, but it was still interesting to read.
So Halo is basically a vaccine for the bully they're sure to encounter some time in their life.
He also takes time to show how ridiculous studies are that tie violent media to actual violent children. Violence for children and violence for adults aren't exactly the same thing, it doesn't have the permanence to children that it might to adults. And playing a violent video game may help a child understand that they can have some control over violence and it doesn't have to be something that overwhelms them. It may be more important for us as parents to ask our kids why they like certain things in video games or movies rather than assume if it's violent our children could only like it for that violence.
The book has plenty of analysis and study in it, but at times the Jones focuses too much on his own experience, which I dont' really care about. There is plenty here to back up his ideas, but I'd rather have more of that and less of what he thinks about it. Of course the book is more interesting with his personal views, so maybe they traded a dry scientific book for something a little more interesting with analysis and facts mixed with personal anecdotes.
I already shared many of his views, but it was still interesting to read.
marobbins's review
5.0
Wow, what a fascinating work of research, nonfiction, and experience about comics and fantasy stories! Gerard Jones definitely did his homework, and his past experiences as a comic writer, teacher/workshop presenter, parent, and fan give him a lot of credibility. I appreciate the book's distinction between exposing children to weapons and allowing children to play with toy weapons, such as water guns, toy swords, and action figures. Play, along with the reading of fantasy and comics, allows children to enact some of their real life frustrations in a safe context. So long as adults help children distinguish between fantasy and reality, play can be a healthy way of expressing emotions. This book really helped me to see some of these issues differently, which shows that the author did his job. It'll help me with my research/literature question of my comprehensive exams, too. Additionally, I love how there's a whole chapter devoted to Vampire Slayers, particularly the Buffy movie of my late elementary years and the TV show of my high school years that I am now watching as a thirtysomething. Whedon's hit TV show Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a true icon of teen television show, and Buffy set the tone for female superheroes. While I think we need more female superheroes who do not look like Buffy :), this show truly paved the way, and I'm glad this book and other scholarship is helping people appreciate Whedon's work. That chapter made me want to keep watching the television series. I loved this book!
jobinsonlis's review
3.0
I'm not sure that I entirely agree with the author's assessment of the way in which girls relate to female characters in media (and a book that spends so much time on Buffy but doesn't even mention the game-changer that was Xena is ridiculous). I think Jones would find a lot to add and revise if he released this book now, especially in regards to video games and comic books, and while I agree with his general message, I didn't always agree with the reasoning that got him there.
luana420's review
4.0
Eye-opening and pragmatic defense of "violent" (although I'd rather say "action-packed") children's entertainment by Gerard Jones, comic book historian and organizer of international kids & media workshops. Jones' friendly, rational, well-sourced arguments never devolve into finger-pointing, but instead are based on years of experience in working with kids from all kinds of social backgrounds.
Must-read for anyone who works with kids or teenagers.
Must-read for anyone who works with kids or teenagers.
martezmit's review
4.0
This book helped to explain why my shy, quiet, 4-year-old daughter enjoys playing with swords, knights, pirates, vikings and fighting in general and why these activities are valuable to her. I can even appreciate the value of video games and other media (in moderation).
jhenze's review
4.0
Jones put together quite the thought provoking study about attitudes towards children's playstyles and how it affects them later in life. It made me question my attitudes towards how I engage with youth and I believe I've gained some insights into better interactions
eshink117's review
3.0
"I did feel that Killing Monsters became repetitive after a while (there’s that phrasing again); the book could probably have lost 50 to 100 pages and been just as effective. Another factor for my lack of interest of rereading the same conclusions could be because I read this shortly after the Las Vegas mass shooting; knowing I was going home to read about more violence and mass shootings that took place in schools didn’t make this a book I was particularly itching to continue. The point of view of the book made it feel callous in the wake of what had happened, but I recognize that this was purely circumstantial." - https://thepastduebookreview.com/2017/11/01/killing-monsters-review/
skullossus's review
4.0
Gerard Jones has a lot of insightful ideas on how children and teens consume violent, scary, and sexy stories. There are lots of good examples of how to engage with your children in regards to genre fiction, and even how to write it. I would give it 5 stars but Jones' writing style seemed a bit clumsy, or at least didn't flow in a way in which my mind works.