For Your Kids' Sake ... Throw Away Your TV!
November 27, 2006

A back-to-nature movement is burgeoning among childhood advocacy groups, USA Today reported. "Programs, public and private, are starting or expanding as research shows kids suffer health problems, including obesity, from too much sedentary time indoors with TV and computers," the paper said.

You read something like this and you think, "Is it possible that people are really that stupid? Is it conceivable that parents might have thought it was okay to let their kids spend six to seven hours a day in front of the boob tube? And how is it possible that they needed researchers to convince them to get the kids outside?"

I don't believe baby boomers are that stupid. It's much easier for me to believe they have been too busy, too lazy, and/or too self-centered to do otherwise. TV has provided them with an opportunity to solve the biggest problem busy parents face: keeping the kids quiet and fixed in one safe place. So long as the little darlings are planted in front of the television set, working moms and dads are able to get some of their own homework done.

The newspaper story listed several of the new programs that are underway, and focused on those that are meant to get children into wilderness locations, like national parks. As if that will do any good.

You don't need scientific research to tell you that your kids need both sun and exercise. So here's what you do. Either throw the TV in the garbage today and keep one out of your house till the kids are off to college ... or take responsibility for limiting your kids' TV watching to a healthy minimum. (My recommendation would be no more than six or seven hours a week.) If the kids have favorite shows, record them and let them watch them only after they have finished all their homework and household chores.

posted by M. Masterson @ 2:21 PM,

6 Comments:

At 5:16 AM, Anonymous Paul said...

Michael,

People I know who are very successful in financial terms watch very little TV. People I know who are poor in financial term watch a lot of TV.

Yet another reason to unplug the box!

Paul

 
At 8:26 AM, Blogger Joshua said...

Good Morning Michael,

Margie and I have been married for almost 12 years. We have 7 children, the oldest being 10. We have never watched a single TV program in all those years. Neither have our children. Selected videos - yes... but never more than 2 a week... and never during the summer months. The TV goes completely off then.

The results have been nothing short of miraculous... our children are well behaved - remarkably so in my opinion. The oldest three have a small business selling bread and have saved mover $2,000 outside of paying for their own piano and violin lessons, Christmas and birthday presents for others, etc...

They are all healthy and get plenty of sleep. They don't whine and complain for the latest fashions in clothes and toys. They play great with each other and others and have strong imaginations. They love outdoor games and are all at the top of their class in school... In fact my oldest daughter has jumped a grade and is already excelling the other children in that grade as well.... and I believe that is saying something as they are in a very strict, very religious private school.

In short, I realize I'm bragging, but I attribute much of this to the fact that they do not waste time on TV and more importantly, they do not learn today's TV values.

I highly recommend permanently unplugging the TV to anyone. The personal and family benefits far exceed the fleeting entertainment.

Joshua Boswell

 
At 10:59 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Throw away your televsion this is probably one of the best pieces of advice I have ever heard.

I am guilty of watching to much tv in my life and I find myself often quite frustrated and bored yet lacking in discpline to do anything.

TV makes you stupid and I believe it is affecting me.

 
At 8:41 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

My husband and I watch essentially no TV--just the occasional video.
Same for our 7-year-old daughter. The TV's in the basement, so if visitors want to watch it, they can go right ahead (we even have cable). I don't think you even need to throw it out; as long as the kids don't see you watching it, they won't think it's that interesting.

The computer, now, that's another story...

 
At 6:06 AM, Blogger Josephine said...

You can still have TV at home but it is just a matter of imposing discipline to our children. We should not be a slave to technology but watching TV (news) can also have some benefits. When we discipline our children with watching TV then they become responsible.

 
At 9:09 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

In my household, the internet-connected computer is the new TV, affecting both my teenagers and myself. We no longer have a problem with too much TV because it's so dull and, well, passive.
One big inspiration for me was an Italian study that showed that couples with a TV in the bedroom have less sex! Now there's a motivator...

 

Post a Comment

<< Home