A Picture of Violence in Children and the Function of Fantasy.

A rich fantasy life may prevent the acting out of violent wishes in children. Investigations of the relationship between television and violence have been inconclusive, but children lacking in creative imagination typically come from groups having higher violent crime rates. Characteristics of the potentially violent child include a history of child abuse, alcoholic parents, and dehumanized relationships. The society frequently discourages imagination, particularly in the older child. The use of suggestive and auto-suggestive hypnotic like techniques increases the options available in dealing with stress and frustration and increases self esteem, thus serving to prevent violence. (DB)