Comics have been a popular form of entertainment for
generations, particularly among children and young adults. While they have many
benefits for young readers, prolonging the habit into later life can have
negative consequences.
For young children, comics can be a source of pleasure and learning. They often
feature colorful illustrations and stories featuring animal characters, which
can help with spelling and reading. Comics for this age group also typically
promote moral values, such as the consequences of being boastful, greedy, or
dishonest. Reading comics can also provide a form of relaxation and
entertainment for young children.
For children aged 7 to 13, the focus shifts to the stories, rather than the
pictures. Good-quality comics for this age group can stimulate an interest in
general knowledge, travel, and humor. However, some comics may be a waste of
time and only appeal to lazy or undisciplined readers. Parents and teachers may
need to regulate the amount of comic reading to avoid it becoming a distraction
from school work and exams.
However, it is when comic reading is prolonged into late teenage and adulthood
that problems can arise. Comics aimed at this age group often cater to base
human instincts, such as sex, violence, and false glory. Some comics feature
sentimental stories for girls that present a distorted view of relationships and
marriage. Others depict war as a hero's paradise or glorify violence. These
comics are intellectually worthless and can reflect poorly on the intelligence
of those who read them.
In conclusion, comics can be a beneficial form of entertainment and learning for
young children and middle-schoolers. However, they should not be a form of
entertainment for adults, as they often cater to undesirable instincts and can
be a sign of intellectual decline. Instead, adults should focus on more
enriching forms of entertainment, such as books, newspapers, and magazines. |