| THE TRUTH ABOUT TELEVISION AND YOUR FAMILY A Personal Letter from Drs. Brenda and Erik Slovin... The Television Revolution – Its Influence, Power And Effects When the
amazing new world of television burst into our homes back in the 1950’s,
it was touted as a social and educational breakthrough. Families gathered
around the set to watch Jackie Gleason and Howdy Doodie, and life seemed
perfect. Television And Plus-Sized Clothes – Is There A Connection? Some incredibly significant consequences have been noted as a result of this marathon addiction to the television. The most obvious consequence is our waistline. It is not just the sedentary inactivity that television encourages; it is also our habits while watching TV. For example, does your child drink soda and eat popcorn while reading a book or playing baseball? Of course not. What about Dad? Does he drink a beer and wolf down handfuls of salty snacks while mowing the lawn or playing catch with the kids? Again, the answer is no. Here’s a startling statistic for you to consider. The time spent per year watching TV exposes you to a world of about 22,000 commercials. 5,000 of these commercials feature food products, more than half of which are for low-nutrition sweets and snacks. Research has shown that men who watch television three or more hours a day are twice as likely to be obese than men who watch for less than an hour. Similarly, the effects of TV on children and young teens have been closely linked to obesity. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, hours spent watching television are directly linked to obesity in both adults and children. I’m Sorry, What Did You Say? Have you ever watched your child become completely engrossed in a television show? His real world has fallen away to the point that he appears almost hypnotized. This effect is a common experience in adults and kids, and family interaction has become the casualty. It is not because the program is so intellectually challenging, because typically the level of brain activity while watching TV is very low. It’s just easy and addictive, that’s all. Get to know your family by turning off the “boob-tube.” Try going to the park together, playing a game of catch in the backyard, or maybe starting a rousing game of Monopoly™ or Sorry™. Or how about sitting down together for a meal that everyone helped prepare? Fun, engaging interaction is a wonderful way to strengthen family bonds and pave the way for the development of healthy relationships. Violence And Television – Is It Really Just Entertainment? It is estimated that by the time a child finishes elementary school, he will have witnessed 8,000 murders in the context of television entertainment. Children who watch television violence frequently are unable separate fact from fantasy, and understand that real violence hurts and kills people. Even if the program’s heroes use violence, the message being sent is that it is acceptable to use force to handle aggression and settle disagreements. Seldom are the realistic consequences of this type of conflict factually portrayed. Is it any wonder that our children fail to truly comprehend the long-reaching effects of violent acts? The Struggle For Your Child’s Mind – Does TV Adversely Effect Grades? There are a number of good educational television programs available that can have a positive effect on your child’s learning. Case in point, studies show that preschool children who watch educational television programs typically score higher on reading and math tests than children who do not watch such programs. Conversely, the more time a child spends watching “entertainment” television, the less time is devoted to homework, studying or reading for enjoyment. Behavior tends to become more impulsive, the child becomes more isolated, and his grades soon begin to suffer the consequences. Too much television also cultivates attention-span problems, particularly in young children. Try encouraging your child to join you in activities that stimulate his creativity and imagination. Reading to or with your child is another great way to help expand your little one’s attention span. Some Helpful TV Hints For Your Family Initiate activities that will involve your entire family. Start talking and actually listening to each other. A fantastic way to get family conversations started is to ask each person to name five successes that were achieved that day. Not only does this get your kids talking, it also helps reinforce a positive attitude. Encourage your children to interact with their peers. Arrange play-dates with their friends. These get-togethers need not be expensive or require a lot of planning. A simple trip to the park or playground will help develop good social skills as well as release pent-up energy in a positive manner. Do not allow the television to become the focal point of your family room. It is an appliance, not furniture, so try placing it in an armoire or cabinet. The old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind” is applicable here. Set limits on the amount of time your children watch television. Stick to these limits, and do not forget to set a good example by adhering to them yourself. Monitor what your children watch. Do not hesitate to turn the television off if you feel the content is inappropriate. Be sure to talk openly with your children about your decision and why that program was objectionable. Become familiar with your television’s parental control system. Use it to block television programming that is deemed to contain violent, suggestive or otherwise inappropriate content. .............................................................. |