Connecting Math to Our Lives A STUDY ON THE ELECTRONIC MEDIA AND ITS INFLUENCE ON THE GHANAIAN CHILD GHANA: Teacher Asante Koranteng Jones, West Africa Secondary School, Accra, Ghana. Students ages 15-19 DATA ANALYSIS AND FINDING 4.0 INTRODUCTION This chapter is mainly concerned about the analysis of research data and presentation of research findings. Age distribution of respondents in relation to the influence of the electronic media on the Ghanaian child. TABLE 4.1 DISTRIBUTION OF AGE FOR THE STUDENTS AGE RESPONDENTS % 12 1 1.6 13 8 13.3 14 9 15.5 15 10 16.7 16 13 21.7 17 9 15 18 10 16.7 TOTAL 60 100   SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 4.2 ACCESS TO TELEVISION In terms of the television, the two most important types of access to television are access to send messages and access to receive message. This study is restricted only to 6o access to receive messages. Access to receive television messages depends on and among other things, the ability to watch a working television set and the technical ability to receive a transmitted message. Out of (60) children sampled 4 indicated that they donít have television in the home and 56 children have television in their homeís. 4.3 PLACE WHERE THE CHILDREN WATCH TV The possible place where children could watch television was divided into three classes. The classes were family hall, own room and friends place. Although, a lot of them had television in their home, 83.4% said they usually watched television at home, 8.3% watch television in their own room, 8.3% watch television at their friends place (outside home) as shown in table 4.3.1. TABLE 4.3.1: DISTRIBUTION OF CHILDREN BY USUAL PLACE OF WATCHING T.V   PLACE RESPONDENTS % FAMILY HALL 50 83.4 FRIENDS HALL 5 8.3 OWN ROOM 5 8.3 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: Field survey, FEB ,2003 4.4 FAVOURITE TELEVISION STATION WATCHED Out of the three television stations namely Ghana television (GTV) TV3 and TVT (Togo). 58.3% of the sampled children watched GTV, 38.3% watched TV3 and a very small percentage (3.4%) watched TVT (Togo) TABLE 4.4.1: DISTRIBUTION OF CHILDREN BY TELEVISION STATION OFTEN WATCHED.   TELEVISION STATION OFTEN WATCH RESPONDENTS % GTV 35 58.3 TV3 23 38.3 TVT 2 3.4 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: Field survey, FEB ,2003 4.5 REASON FOR WATCHING THEIR FAVOURITE TV STATION Several reasons were given as to why they often watched their favourite stations. Some of the common reasons being that the television station showed more educative programmes and fed them with good morals, right and helpful information. Other reasons were that they combined educative children programme and entertainment proportionately. GTV had the highest percentage of children audience because they had good presenters of news and had more educative children programmes. TV3 had the second highest percentage of children audience because the children believed that, TV3 had good picture quality and gave early news. It was also the television station that had more interesting entertainment programmes. A test will be done to ascertain whether the age of child and television station watched are independent. See Appendix 1 TABLE 4.6: DISTRIBUTION OF TIME CHILDREN SPENT DURING THE DAY WATCHING TV   TIME (HOURS) RESPONDENTS % 1 16 26.7 2-3 23 38.3 4-5 14 23.3 >7 7 11.7 TOTAL 60 100   SOURCE: Field survey, FEB ,2003 Form the table above, 26.7% said they spent 1 hour of their time watching television. A day, 38.3% said they watched television 2 to 3 hours a day, 23.3% said they watched television 4 to 5 hour a day. Lastly, 11.7% said they watched television more than 5 hours in a day. TABLE 4.6.1: DISTRIBUTION OF TIME CHILDREN SPENT LEARNING DURING THE DAY   TIME (HOUR) RESPONDENTS % 1 7 11.7 2-3 38 63.3 4-5 12 20.0 >5 3 5.0 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table above, 11.7% said they usually learnt 2 hours during the day, 63.3% learnt 2-3 hours a day, 20% learnt 4-5 hours a day and 5% said they learnt 5 hours or more a day. TABLE 4.6.2: DISTRIBUTION OF CHILDREN BY TIME THEY SLEEP IN THE EVENING TIME (PM) RESPONDENTS % < 9.00 5 8.3 9.00-9.30 8 13.3 9.31-10.00 13 21.7 10.01-10.30 17 28.3 10.31-11.00 7 11.7 > 11.00 10 16.7 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the distribution above, greater number of respondents was found to sleep between 9.31pm-10.30pm in the evening. This represented 50% of the sampled children. 4.7 INFLUENCE OF TELEVISION PROGRAMMES Television programmes at times present ideas and situations that make parents uncomfortable about the welfare of their children, who are exposed to these scences and wonder about the effect of these programmes upon the likes and behaviour of the children. This research helped in knowing more about conducts, idea and attitude of the children affected by these programmes. Are scences, which are meant for adults understood by their children some of these questions need to be looked at when determing the influence of television programme on the Ghanaian child? 28.3% of the sampled children liked action film, 26.7% liked drama film, 45% liked adventure film. Meaning greater number of the children liked adventure films. TABLE 4.7.1DISTRIBUTION OF CHILDREN BY THE TYPE OF FILM OFTEN WATCHED TYPES OF FILM RESPONDENTS % ACTION 17 28.3 DRAMA 16 26.7 ADVENTURE 27 45.0 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 In response to their feeling after watching a violet programme, 50% of the sampled children indicated that they felt normal. 45% said they felt disturbed, 5% said they felt good after watching a violet film. Thus greater number of the children indicated they felt normal when they watched these violet programmes. TABLE 4.7.2: DISTRIBUTION OF HOW CHILDRENíS ACTIONS AFTER WATCHING A VIOLENT FILM. CHILDRENS FEELINGS RESPONDENTS % NORMAL 30 50.0 DISTURBED 27 45.0 GOOD 3 5.0 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 51.7% of the sampled children indicated the television programmes taught them how to attract girls/boys. 45.3% indicated that it doesnít have such influence on them. TABLE 4.7.3: DO YOU THINK TV PROGRAMMES TEACH WAYS TO ATTRACT GIRLS/BOYS. RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 31 51.7 NO   29 48.3 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 31.7% of the sampled children indicated that television programmes taught them how to steal. While 68.3% indicated that it doesnít have such influence on them. TABLE 4.7.4: DO YOU THINK TV PROGRAMMES TEACH WAYS TO STEAL. RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 17 31.7 NO 41 68.3 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below ,18.3% of the sampled children indicated the television programmes taught them to stay away from school. While 81.7% indicated that it doesnít have such influence on them. TABLE 4.7.5: DO YOU THINK TV PROGRAMMES TEACH WAYS TO STAY AWAY FORM SCHOOL RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 11 18.3 NO 49 81.7 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 18.33% of the sampled children indicated that television programmes taught them to run away from school. While 81.67% indicated that it doesnít have such influence on them. TABLE 4.7.6: DO YOU THINK TV PROGRAMMES TEACH WAYS TO RUN AWAY FORM SCHOOL RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 11 18.3 NO 49 81.7 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 81.7% of the sampled children indicated that movies they watch make them excited. While 18.3% indicate that the film has no influence on them. TABLE 4.7.7: DO YOU THINK THE MOVIES YOU WATCH MAKE YOU EXCITED? RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 49 81.7 NO 11 18.3 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FILED SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 26.7% of the sampled children indicated that movies they watched stirred them up sexually. 73.3% indicated that it did not have such influence on them. From the percentages below, most of the children indicated that it had no influence on them. TABLE 4.7.8: DO YOU THINK THE MOVIES YOU WATCH STIR YOU UP SEXUALLY? RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 16 26.7 NO 44 73.3 TOTAL 60 100   SOURCE: FILED SURVEY, FEB ,2003 The children were asked whether the movies they watch makes them adventurous. 70% of the sampled children said the movies they watched make them adventurous. 30% indicated that movies they watched did not make the adventurous. TABLE 4.7.9: DO YOU THINK THE MOVIES YOU WATCH MAKE YOU ADVENTUROUS? RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 42 70 NO 18 30 TOTAL 60 100   SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 35% of the sampled children indicated that movies they watched taught them ways to fight. 65% indicated that it did not have such influence on them. Form the percentage below, most of the children indicated hat it had no influence on them. TABLE 4.7.10: DO YOU THINK THE MOVIES YOU WATCH TEACHES WAYS TO FIGHT? RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 21 35 NO 39 65 TOTAL 60 100   SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 In response to how they feel when they see a criminal picture on television, 95% of the sampled children indication that criminal school be caught and punished, 1.7% said they felt the risk of being a criminal is great, nobody in the sampled children felt like being one, 3.3% said they fleet nothing if they see a criminal picture on the screen. TABLE 4.7.11: SHOW HOW CHILDREN FEEL WHEN THEY SEE A CRIMINAL PICTURE RESPONSE CHILDREN % 1 57 95 2 1 1.7 3 0 0 4 2 3.3 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FILED SURVEY, FEB ,2003 Where 1. The children should be caught and punished 2. Fell the risk of being a criminal is great. 3. Feel like being one 4. Nothing In response to how parents prevent their children from watching film, which were, classified underage. 68.3% indicated that their parents prevented them from watching films which were classified underage, while 31.7% of the sampled children said their parents did not prevent them from watching the film. Based on this we may say that, may parents mindful of what their children watch. TABLE 4.7.12: DO YOUR PARENTS PREVENT YOU FROM WATCHING UNDERAGE FILMS. RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 41 68.3 NO 19 31.7 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FILED SURVEY, FEB ,2003 4.8 THE INFLUENCE OF RADIO PROGRAMMES Radio is really believed to be do-it-yourself television. That is instead of a big glass picture tube; you see the performances in your mind. Radio now plays an important role in changing our popular culture by transforming our living rooms into entertainment centres. It is one of the masses. All the sampled children indicated that they had radio at home. In addition, 40% indicated that they had their own radio set, 60% did not have their own radio set. TABLE 4.8.1: SHOW THE PERCENTAGE OF CHILDREN THAT OWN A RADIO SET. RADIO SET RESPONDENT % OWN RADIO SET 24 40 DO NOT OWN RADIO SET 36 60 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 The following radio stations were given by the children as the station they listened to. These were Joy FM, Radio Gold, Volta Premier, Volta Star Radio and Adom FM. About half of the children indicated that they listened to Adom FM and Volta Star Radio. Several common reasons were giving for why they listened to these radio stations. Some of these common reasons were that: (i) The radio stations played a lot of music. (ii) Discussed interesting social issues. (iii) They were first to give information. (iv) They had good entertainment package. In order to access the extent to which some of the children were controlled, the children were asked of their parents action when they were found listening to programmes specially design for adults. 33.3% of the sampled children said their parent said nothing when they were found listening to these programmes. 16.7% indicated that their parents disciplined them. 50% of the sampled children said their parent prevented them from these programmes. TABLE 4.8.2: BELOW SHOWS PARENT ACTION WHEN CHILDREN WERE FOUND LISTENING SPECIALLY DESIGN ADULT PARENTS. PARENTS ACTION RESPONDENT % SAY NOTHING 20 33.3 DISCIPLINE YOU 10 16.7 STOPED FROM LISTINING 30 50.0 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 91.7% of the sampled children indicated that radio programmes have taught them to be respectful and hard work, 8.3% indicated that radio programmes did not exert such influence. TABLE 4.8.3: DO YOU THINK RADIO PROGRAMMING TEACHES WAY TO BE RESPECTFUL AND HARDWORKING? RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 55 91.7 NO 5 8.3 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 Determing the influence of radio programmes on morals, 98.3% of the sampled children indicated that radio programmes had taught them how to have good morals, 1.7% indicated that radio programmes did not exert such influence on them. This mean that greater number of he children associated their good moral to the radio. TABLE 4.8.4: DO YOU THINK RADIO PROGRAMMES TEACH WAYS TO HAVE GOOD MORALS. RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 59 98.3 NO 1 1.7 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FILED SURVEY, FEB ,2003 From the table below, 95% of the sampled children indicated that radio programmes had taught hem ways to relate to people. 5% indicate that it did not have such influence on them. TABLE 4.8.5: DO YOU THINK RADIO PROGRAMMES TEACH WAYS TO RELATE TO PEOPLE. RESPONSE CHILDREN % YES 57 95 NO 3 5 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY, FEB ,2003 In response to how they saw the future of the radio, 36.7% indicated that they future was bright 33.3% saw the future to be good. 13.3% said they should keep it up. 16.7% said they should improve upon it. TABLE 4.8.6: CHILDREN RESPONSE TO HOW THEY SEE THE FUTURE OF RADIO BROAD CAST. FEELING RESPONDENT % BRIGHT 22 36.7 GOOD 20 33.3 KEEP IT UP 8 13.3 SHOULD IMPROVE ON 10 16.7 TOTAL 60 100 SOURCE: FILED SURVEY, FEB ,2003 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION. 5.1 SUMMARY The study revealed that children were more interested in programmes that gave them more fun form the data obtained on. The television station of interest by these children it was established that GTV are mostly preferred by the children followed by TV3. TVT was least preferred. The children believed GTV showed a lot of movies , entertainment programmes and this suggested why 58.3% of the children preferred GTV as against 38.3% for TV3. From the Chi-square analysis, the age of children and television station often watched are independent. See appendix 1 for detail. The data obtained showed that 83.4% of the children watched TV in their family hall. 5% watch TV in their own room. Meaning that majority of these children watched TV with the rest of their family. From the distribution of time children spent during the day watching TV, majority of the sampled children indicated that they used 2-3hours during the day watching TV, that is about 38.3%. Only 11.7% said they watched television more than 5 hours in a day. About 63.3% of the sampled children indicated that they learnt 2-3 hours in the day. While few number spent more than 5 hours in a day learning. With the time they slept in the evening, 50% of the sampled children indicated that the slept between 9.31pm-10.30 pm in the evening. Majority of the children were found to slept before 10.30pm. Only few slept between 10.30pm to 11.00pm in the evening. The study had revealed that 45% of the children enjoyed adventure film, 28.3% enjoyed action film only small percentage enjoyed films besides the two given. Most of the children indicated that they felt normal after watching a violent film. Those that expressed such feeling represented 50% of the respondents. On the influences of TV programmes on the children, 51.7% declared that TV programmes taught them ways to attract girls / boys. 31.7% of the sampled children indicated that TV programmes had taught them ways of stealing. 18.3% indicated that it had taught them ways to stay away from school. 18.3% indicated that it had taught them ways to run away from school. 26.7% indicated that movies stirred them up. Sexually. The above percentage indicated that fewer number of the children believed TV programmes exert such an influence on them. Thus, greater number indicated that TV programmes did not exert such influence. Also 70% of the children revealed that the movies make them adventurous. 35% also indicated that he movies taught them ways to fight. Majority of the children felt criminals in movies should be caught and punished. About 68.3% of the children revealed that their parent prevented them form watching underage film. The study also revealed that about half of the children did not own a radio set. Form the data, those that indicated that they had their own radio set represented 40% of the total sample. About 91.7% of the children indicated that radio programmes had taught them to be respectful and hardworking. Also 98.3% indicated that radio and taught them good morals and 95% revealed that it had taught them ways to relate to people. The above proportions indicated that radio programme to some extent exerted positive influence on the children. On the future of the radio, majority of the children indicated that they saw the future to be bright as far as the radio are concerned. Lastly 50% of the children sampled indicated that their parents prevented them form listening to specially design programmes for adults. Thus greater number indicated that they were stop from listening to adults programmes. 5.2 CONCLUSION The study had been a successful one in spite of the numerous limitations encounted. The study examined and analysed the electronic media and its influence on the Ghanaian child. The study revealed that many ideas and behaviour which were not accepted in our society are not mainly due to the electronic media. Thought it meant be a contributing factor. This conclusion was drawn from the small proportion of he children who indicated that the electronic media had little negative influence on them. It was believed that other factors meant play a role. Example, the environment in which the child is brought up could be a major contribution factor. It is believed that children in a highly delinquent area. Finally, the study adding weight to any precedent ones will in effect serve as basis for practical action and quid line for future programme on media policy to improve upon their achievement. In the past, films available in this country Ghana were full of pure entertainment and not sex 5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS (1). The television stations must provide more educative children programmes. (2). The number of children programmes on the radio station must also be increased. (3). Parents must make sure that their children watch station and educative programmes. (4). Children should not be given unguarded freedom to view whatever they wish. (5). Parents must select for their children the programmes that are designed for them, so that children will always watch programmes which take into account the sensitivity and educational needs of them. (6). The researcher recommends that, programmes meant for adults should be shown after 10.30pm when most children are likely to be asleep. (7). Childrenís educative programmes should not be telecast for more than 2 hours during weekdays to enable them have enough time to do their private studies. (8). There should be more programmes on our cultural heritage and norms than that of foreign ones. (9). Childrens programmes must be more creative to development the talents in them. (10). Parents should always lock their video decks so that children will not have easy access to them. (11). The children should grow enough before a television set is bought for them. (12). Video librarys operators should also make sure that right age takes the right videocassette.