Imagine a home without a television. Imagine
having more than a month without watching any
television or even going to the movie theater.
Imagine having teenage children with no interest
in watching television. Imagine having just one
entire day when all televisions in the country
will be off. Do you think we would survive?
While the television provides positive
information and has become a meaningful part of
our every-day existence, yet it is not
imperative that we spend all the time we do
watching the news or our favorite television
shows. Do you realize that many people who
watch the news channels hours every day become
cynical, angry, skeptical, and even physically
ill. Too much news can “drive you crazy.” [
See previous article ]
More than fifteen years ago I proposed in an
article that each family have a “television
blackout month.” I stressed that too many
families are being dictated to by the
television. They allow their children to freely
watch anything at anytime. I stated in the
article that “What is also obvious is that these
hooked-on-television children spend very little
hours gaining meaningful rest and sleep at the
most appropriate times. In many homes,
school-aged children stay up until the wee hours
of the morning watching television. They fall
asleep tired and drained, only to be awakened by
another dosage of TV stimulation.”
Here is one of latest reports on television for
children (USA). The 2006 report by the Kaiser
Family Foundation states
that 74 percent of
infants and toddlers watch TV before the age of
2. With on-demand services, 24-7 cable kid
channels, and heaps upon heaps of baby-oriented
programming, we now have constant access to
media that specifically targets very young
children. So there's more TV than ever, more
warnings than ever, and certainly more confusion
than ever before.
The
problem I have with indiscriminate television
viewing is that it is one of Satan’s most
powerful tools he uses to infiltrate the mind
with all kinds of unhealthy thoughts, images,
and actions. Too often children are prematurely
introduced to subjects that they are not
emotionally or intellectual ready to
understand. These messages are repeated over
and over teasing the child’s curiosity and often
times changing behavior. Even adults are being
affected negatively with the over dose of
television, and especially violent television.
Here is what a 2002 study about television and
violence revealed. “Watching just one hour of
television a day can make a person more violent
towards others, according to a 25-year study. In
some circumstances, TV watching increases the
risk of violence by five times. The new research
indicates the effect is seen not just in
children, as has been suggested before, but in
adults as well.” (Allison Motluk, The New
Scientist)
It
is my view that if we have less television
viewing in our nation we would have less
violence. It is time for another television
black out. Below I will share with the types of
television black-out times I shared fifteen
years
ago.
TYPES OF TELEVISION/DEVICES BLACK-OUT TIMES
-
Marriage
Black-out. During the first year of
marriage, it is ideal that a couple does not own
a television. They should spend time
interacting, bonding, spending time together,
growing as friends and lovers. Television has a
subtle way of attracting us from valuable
functions and events in our lives. True,
some couples do have the
disciple to not allow the
television to take away from
their sharing time together.
But many do not. If you
want a television, avoid having
it in your bedroom--the romantic
chamber. Sometimes we
find excuses to watch a show because it is so
educational or meaningful, but in reality it
does not add anything to the healthy development
of a young marriage. A solid foundation must be
laid early in the marriage for intimacy,
friendship, and sharing. The couple must enjoy
spending time together before they spend time in
front of the television.
-
Childhood
Black-out. It is important for parents to
understand the powerful
effects of television on
the minds of their developing children. Do not
place your young infant in front of the
television alone while you do something else.
Ideally, it would be best to avoid having a
television in the home. Because of the
addictive, luring, and tempting nature of
television, I am suggesting that parents with
young children do not have television in the
home during the first six to ten years of the
child’s life. Children also need to learn how to
play and interact, communicate, and develop
self-government. Great harm is done when, from
birth, television becomes a normal part of a
child’s life. It does not matter how educational
the television program is, whether it is Sesame
Street or Barney. Parental involvement cannot be
compared to any information or knowledge gained
from television watching.
-
Crisis Black-Out.
Often a parent may need to take away the
privilege of television viewing because of
disobedience or poor academic performance.
Sometimes families would find it most helpful
when there are serious family conflicts and
crises to keep the television off. Often the
television is used as "coverall." It gives one
the feeling that the pain is over, but when the
television is turned off the pain surfaces.
Keeping the television off forces the family to
deal with the situation.
-
Scheduled
Black-out. As the family begins to grow, the
parents may want to purchase a television. This
is fine. However, the television should not be
treated like the refrigerator - it is only
useful when it is on.
-
National Black-out.
What if what had on day in our country just
three hours when every television is off
(stations do not broadcast) and every one takes
the time to share, show kindness, and interact
positively with each other? We can call it
National TV Black-out.
Barrington H. Brennen is a marriage and family
therapist. Send your questions and comments to
question@soencouragement.org or visit
www.soencouragement.org or call
1242-327-1980
