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I'm sure you've heard someone say that today's children watch too much television. So much in fact, that there's even a day where your family is encouraged to turn off the television and find other, more creative things to do. We don't disagree that children sometimes watch too much television, but regardless of how much they watch...can you be sure that they're watching the right programs?
Parents Need to Take Charge of Television
Most of today's homes have at least one television and many of these sets are hooked to a commercial cable system that provides a seemingly limitless number of programs. Moreover, many television programs are pushing the limits of good taste and decency. Some parents, who worry that their children are being exposed to violence and other realities of adult life that they're too young to handle, tend to say that television is the culprit, but parents need to take charge of television.
Although parents might prefer that government exert more control or networks voluntarily regulate themselves, the bottom line is that it's the parent's job to set limits on children's television viewing.
But it's not a good idea to banish the television set to a dusty attic. In fact, doing so is actually a disservice to children because the content of television shows is so deeply imbedded in the popular culture. Not knowing about Barney and Big Bird or Michael Jordan and Madonna leaves a child the odd kid out. In school, when the talk is about a certain show, those who are denied television are left with nothing to contribute.
Rather than eliminating television altogether, take a two stage approach to influencing children's viewing habits. It starts with firm limitations on both the program content and the amount of time young children are permitted to watch.
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For more information, please visit http://www.myparentime.com/articles/05/article525.shtml |