<Since when have children become so much different than they were in the 50's, 60's, or 70's? I can't imagine that turning off the television or disposing of it altogether is somehow going to automatically make children more interested in the arts.>
Hi, MSB!!! I bet you thought I had forgotten all about this post. Sorry my response is so delayed. Anyway, what scares me about tv is that it is a vast experiment, a la Big Brother and "1984", if you want my personal opinion. Not only are there excellent opportunities for mind control, but we really don't know historically how children develop with tv being a big part of their early lives.
What we can observe so far is that they are getting fatter and have shorter attention spans, and are extremely conformist (maybe this is not a change due to tv), and drug use is way up. Watching tv actually creates a state like a drug-induced stupor, in research measuring brain waves. Children also see so much pretend violence on tv that they seem to become numbed to its reality.
I think children need plenty of fresh air and outdoor exercise, fantasy play with costumes and fairy tales, adults reading to them, and a low stress, safe place to be children. I agree we cannot force parents to turn the sets off and buy art supplies, but I think our children would be a lot better off. How will they be interested in real beauty, art and music and intelligent conversation, if most of their stimulation comes from a tube?
Incidentally, just who is twisted? You have again aroused my curiosity.
Have a wonderful new year, MSB, and my best wishes to SJ as well!!!! |
