Page:1954 Juvenile Delinquency Testimony.pdf/134

122 unravel this how we very much come later to the point which you have in mind, Mr. Counsel, if I may proceed for the moment, and Twill be glad to answer more specifically then your qnestions,

In 1944, the Child Study Association conducted «a meeting which it announced as Looking at the Comics: An appraisal of the many aspects of children's comics reading. To this meeting were invited educators, parents, and specialists in many fields relating to children, comics wriler, artists, and industry representatives. This mecting highlighted the controversial aspects of this increasingly popular entertainment medium fer ehildren and stimulated further critical thinking.

Tn 1948 on quarterly magazine, Child Stndy, published a syin- posium of psychiatric opinion dealing largely with the question of ageression and fear stimulated by comics reading, radio, and movies.

This article, entitled "Chills and Thrills in Radio, Movies, and Comics" brought out quite sharply the strong differences of opinion among prominent experts as to the effects of these mass media.

May I quote briefly from this symposium, which I also wish to offer in evidence, emphasizing that it represents opinion gathered more than 6 years ago ?

The. Thank you, sir.

Again, without objection, this document will be made a part of our permanent records. Let that be exhibit No. 16.

(The document referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 16," and is on file with the subcommittee.)

Mr. . I quote very briefly this paragraph:

All those interviewed were agreed on one point: that radio prograins, movies, and comics do not in themselves creale fears, but for eerlain children and ander various conditions, dv precipitate ar stimulate auxteties lying beneath the surface ready to be awakened. There was agreement, too, that children differ in {heir fear reaclions lo various ficrioual sitnatious. Te was on qnestions of the harm- fubiess, havinlessuess, or positive yvelue of these experiences for children that the greatest divergence of apinion developed.

Over and over again the experts stressed ihe need for careful, liree- seale research studies before definitive conclusions conld be reached.

Later that year, 1948, ithe then director of omr association, Mrs. Sidenie Matsner Gruenberg, wrote an article for the magazine, Woman's Day, which I also wish to place in evidence and from which T would like te quote briefly.

The. That document will be made a part of omr permu- nent records. Letitbe exhibit No. 17.

(The document referred to was marked "Exhibit No. 17," and is on file with the subcommittee.)

Mr. . Here are a few paragraphs of interest to your com- mitiee:

Like almost any new Jonn, the comics boaks begin harshly and awkwardly. They must Luve time to injpwove and refine their skills and even more (ime lo enlist serious and respousible artists aad writers. Since their inception they have iproved in the drawing and writing and printing, and also in the variety and quality of their coutent. Dut if the ceiling seems to have been raised for some of the comics, the flogr Jias alse been lowered in others. Many of the promaters use the easiest appeats fo reach the largest unmbers, and children are the chief vielhins, as with all cateh-penny undertakings, And numerons prp- ducers have taken advantage of the interest in comics developed through their use by the Army for educational purposes during the war. Many of these abominable and irresponsible creations bluntly exploit crime, violence, brutality,