Television viewing has become part of
modern everyday life. Everyone has
at least one TV set in their home. As
a result, people question what kind
of effect television programming has
on youth. Opponents cite numerous
disadvantages, while advocates list
various benefits.
Those who question the value of
television argue that watching TV is
primarily a passive activity. Children
are neither physically nor mentally
active. A lack of physical exercise can
trigger conditions such as obesity,
and inadequate mental stimulation
can lead to a lack of creativity and
imagination. Second, those against
television for children note that a large
number of programs are inappropriate.
The advertisements alone promote a
consumerist and materialistic attitude.
Furthermore, the gratuitous violence in
many shows, including even Saturday
cartoons, may encourage this same
type of behavior in young people.
On the other hand, advocates of
television viewing for children submit
the medium offers both education
and entertainment. For example, there
are many documentaries that provide
excellent learn~ng opportunities. In
addition, young people studying a
new language can pick up a lot of new
vocabulary and idioms from virtually
any type of show. Television is also a
valid form of entertainment. Families
can enjoy quality time together while
sharing laughs over a typical situation
comedy. Furthermore, parents who
need a break for an hour can entertain
their kids by sitting them down in front
of the tube. Finally, parents can use
television as a reward, for instance,
after the children have completed their
homework assignments.
In weighing the pros and cons of TV
for children, I believe that limited and
monitored television viewing for children
Chapter 1 Family
2. Reason 2
• support __ is appropriate. Parents should decide on
the suitability of specific programs and
restrict the total number of hours per day.
This will prevent negative outcomes such
as passivity, materialism, and aggression.
Selective viewing, however, especially if
it is educational or entertaining for either
the child or the entire family, may prove
entirely worthwhile.
Television
viewing
has become part of
modern everyday life. Everyone has
at least one TV set in their home. As
a result,
people
question what kind
of effect
television
programming has
on youth. Opponents cite numerous
disadvantages, while advocates list
various benefits.
Those who question the value of
television argue that watching TV is
primarily
a passive activity. Children
are neither
physically
nor mentally
active. A lack of physical exercise can
trigger conditions such as obesity,
and inadequate mental stimulation
can lead to a lack of creativity and
imagination. Second, those against
television for
children
note that
a large
number of
programs are inappropriate.
The advertisements alone promote a
consumerist and materialistic attitude.
Furthermore
, the gratuitous violence in
many
shows
, including even Saturday
cartoons, may encourage this same
type of behavior in young
people
.
On the other hand
, advocates of
television
viewing
for
children
submit
the medium offers both education
and entertainment.
For example
, there
are
many
documentaries that provide
excellent
learn~ng
opportunities. In
addition, young
people
studying a
new language can pick up
a lot of
new
vocabulary and idioms from
virtually
any type of
show
.
Television
is
also
a
valid form of entertainment. Families
can enjoy quality time together while
sharing laughs over a typical situation
comedy.
Furthermore
, parents who
need a break for an hour can entertain
their kids by sitting them down in front
of the tube.
Finally
, parents can
use
television as a reward,
for instance
,
after the
children
have completed their
homework assignments.
In weighing the pros and cons of TV
for
children
, I believe that limited and
monitored
television
viewing
for children
Chapter 1 Family
2. Reason 2
• support __ is appropriate. Parents should decide on
the suitability of specific programs and
restrict the total number of hours per day.
This will
prevent
negative
outcomes such
as passivity, materialism, and aggression.
Selective
viewing
,
however
,
especially
if
it is educational or entertaining for either
the child or the entire family, may prove
entirely
worthwhile.