HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 02061996 - P3 N
r
Board of Supervisors
Of
Contra Costa County, State of California
IN THE MATTER PROCLAIMING THE WEEK ] RESOLUTION N0.96 37
OF APRIL 22,28, 1996 TV TURN-OFF WEEK ]
IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY ]
WHEREAS, every child deserves to grow up safe and healthy,free from the real or perceived threat of
violence; and
WHEREAS,the United States is the most violent country in the industrialized world; and
WHEREAS,young children witness much of this country's violence not on the streets but in their own homes;
and
WHEREAS, children watch an average of 23 to 28 hours of television a week and American television and
movies are among the most violent in the world; and
WHEREAS, upon graduation from high school,the average American child will have spent more time watching
TV than in school, and will have seen 200,000 acts of violence (including 30,000 murders) on their TV
screen; and
WHEREAS, over 2000 studies conclude that there is a cause-and-effect link between television viewing and
disrespectful behavior, aggression, poor school concentration, childhood obesity, sleep disturbances; and
WHEREAS, the average child receives 45,000 images of sex from TV during their formative years, creating
pressure for early sexual experimentation; and
WHEREAS, while young children are watching TV,they are not.getting crucial developmental experiences that
conversations with real people and creative free-form play offer; and
WHEREAS, television has become the universal time filler that overwhelms more productive and rewarding
connections to family and community, and
WHEREAS, previous regional TV Turn-Offs have demonstrated that one week can begin to break the habit,
establish new activities and interests, and influence more discriminate use of time.
Therefore, in support of Contra Costa families and a healthier community,the Contra Costa County Board of
Supervisors does hereby resolve to support the County-Wide TV Turn-Off Week April 22-28, 1996, and
encourage all who reside in this community to participate.
PASSED AND ADOPTED ON February 6, 1 96 by a unanimous vote of the Board members present.
4:�
Gayle Bishop
Supervisor, District II
Jim ers J m'
(� /vn���sor,�
Mark DaSaulnier Tom Toriakson
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an order entered on the Minutes of said
Board of Supervisors on the aforesaid date.
Witness my hand and the Seal of
the Board of Supervisors affaed
this Gh day of February, 1996.
PHIL BATCHELOR, County Administrator
and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors
By
Dep I ric
M Do you feel
o P overwhelmed and powerless by
w o the violence in society today?
Want an antidote to the
44
violence that plagues our
streets, schools and
living rooms?
� O
Join
_11xvALLING
" OUR NATION
FROM
VIOI,-Vl�TClr,�
A Nonprofit organization
dedicated to:
• Reducing "Entertainment"
Industry Violence
• Connecting Adult Mentors
With At-Risk Youth
Come be a part of the solution!
Children are the purpose
of life.
We were once children and
someone cared for us.
Now it is our time to care.
— A Cree Elder
"The VALUES generally transmitted by
I3Y THIN TIME YOUR CHILD TV and movies have little in common
IS OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, with the values parents try to instill in
HE'S SEEN 200,000 ACTS OF their children.
VIOLENCE ON TV, INCLUD.
ING 30,000 MURDERS. THE ENTERTAINMENT MEDIA
THEY SAY TIHS DOESN'T ESPOUSES:
AFFECT OUR KIDS? 0 Disrespect is cool
WHO ARE THEY KIDDING? CI Instant gratification
Cw Win at any cost
Pepsi and Budweiser don't spend 0 Look out only for yourself
millions on TV advertising just for O Happiness = wealth
the heck of it. They know even a 30 0 Violence is entertaining
second spot has a big impact!
PARENTS, WHETHER LIBERAL OR
Prime Time TV has 5 to 7 acts of vio- CONSERVATIVE, TRY TO IMPART
lence per hour. Children's Saturday THE IMPORTANCE OF:
morning TV has 22 to 27 acts of vio- O Self-discipline
lence! In popular films like "Rambo" Q Responsibility
or "The Terminator," the sequel has CI Respect for self and others
2 to 3 times more violence than the 0 Peaceful conflict resolution
original movie! O Happiness and self-esteem
TODAY ON TV: KILLING. come from within
TONIGHT ON TV: KILLING. The entertainment industry's only
HAD ENOUGH? motive is profit. The values of parents
are downright contradicted and
What does this saturation of violence
mean in our children's lives?What drowned out by the mesmerizing,
are the consequences of this glorifica-
tion
images and loud music.
tion of violence?Children subcon-
sciously absorb that it is NORMAL to FROM TV?
use verbal abuse or physical force to 3-They aren't learning that
get their way. Do we think that when y 9 every-
they reach the age of 15, 18, 20 or body has a different point of view—
25 that they will automatically know and that the "facts" differ according
how to solve their conflicts peaceably to that point of view.
or have a relationship? ➢They aren't learning that you
WARNING: TV VIEWING MAY need to understand each person's
BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR feelings and intentions.
CHILDREN'S HEALTH )i-They aren't learning that by
talking things through they can come
The American Academy of up with LOTS OF OPTIONS, and that
Pediatricians recommends that it can be win/win for everyone.
children watch NO MORE THAN
1 OR 2 HOURS of TV per day.
While the situation is serious and the
IT TAKES A WHOLE r problem is large, there is much that
VILLAGE TO IWSH A MILD. can be done! By bringing personal
responsibility together with corporate
We must take steps in our own lives and societal responsibility, we CAN
P create a world where our children
to decrease the hours both we and grow up safe and healthy!
our children spend in front of the TV,
as well as more carefully choose what
is being watched. JOIN WITH OTHERS
And if we are to turn our nation SAYING YES!
around, we must also move beyond
bur nuclear families, beyond our l want to be a mentor
"comfort zone." We must reach out to I have a group for you to speak
those children who do not have to about the Mentoring Program
enough stable adults in their lives. and/or "Entertainment" Violence.
A MENTOR IS A FRIEND,
SOMEONE WHO LISTENS TOA I want to help organize the 1996
CHILD, BELIEVES 1N A CHILD, TV Turn-Off Week April 21-27,
HELPS BROADEN THAT CHILD'S including Volunteer Fairs in each city.
HORIZONS. YOU DON'T NEED TO I want to support you work with
SOLVE ALL THEIR PROBLEMS; a contribution:
YOU JUST NEED TO BE THERE
FOR THEM. ❑ $1000 Ll $500 ❑ $250 ❑ $100
Mentoring comes in all sizes and U $75 ❑ $60 ❑ $50 ❑ $35
shapes. Some mentor one-on-one, ❑ $25 ❑ Other
others co-mentor with a friend or two. With a contribution of$60 or more,
We'll match you by interests and you will receive a free copy of,
locale, convenient to where you live Selling Out America's Children, by
or work. David Walsh, on the impact of TV.
Afraid you won't know what to say or
do? You begin with an orientation ses- With a contribution of$100 or more,
sion, with communication tools and you may choose either Selling Out
ideas for what to do. Every month America's Children, or Fist, Stick,
there are drop-in discussion groups Knife, Gun, by Geoffrey Canada, a
for mentors to talk to counselors and personal story of growing up in
other mentors about problems that America in poverty.
come up. Name
We have had enough cynicism and Street
hopelessness! From action springs Cit
hope and joy! Whatever your skills, y
talents or time availability, there's a State Zip
place for you to be a part of the solu- Phone:
tion. Home
THE DIFFICULT WE DO RIGHT Work
AWAY. THE IMPOSSIBLE TAKES Fax
A LITTLE LONGER.
IMN
N ta M WAMU
6696 OF HOUSEHOLDS HAVE INVEST IN FUTURES.
3 OR MORE TV'S. MENTOR A CHILD.
54% OF KIDS HAVE TV'S IN The more television a child watches,
THEIR OWN ROOM. the more distorted their view of the
world is.
Are you concerned about violence in
television, videos and movies? Do Television shows the moment of glory
you feel overwhelmed as a parent? —the brilliant closing argument that
Your suspicions are right! Over 2,000 clinches the case— not the years of
studies have been done on the effects drudgery and discipline that were
of watching TV violence. Eighty-five necessary for the achievement.
were long term and 84 showed a Children in economically disadvan-
strong correlation between viewing
violent TV and increased verbal and taged areas tend to spend more hours
physical aggression. in front of the TV, because of the
There have been big changes since decline in after-school programs.
the days when we were kids and it As a mentor, you simply share your
was the bad bad guys using violence. wisdom and experience. You ask
From the Mighty Morphin Power about homework. You talk about the
Rangers to the Terminator, it's now connection between staying in school
the good guys who are using violence
to get their way. and getting a good job. You point out
the pitfalls and potholes in life. You
—"—
CI II LDREN ARE TI Il; take them to your job or business.
GREATEST IMITATORS. You can take a bag lunch and spend
time with them at school. Or meet
them after school or on the weekend.
Children don't watch these actions You can go for a walk on the beach,
and think, "This isn't the way it is in or to a career fair, or play a game.
real life. It isn't right to act like this or
treat people like this." They just There's a surprise in the mentoring
absorb the TV images as NORMAL, package, too. You initially start by
as THIS IS THE WAY THE WORLD IS! wanting to help a child, but the sense
In addition, teachers have noticed: of well-being and happiness YOU
I - A decreased attention span - receive transforms your life!
"real life" is slow and boring
compared to TV.
2 - A high frustration level if they A LIFE IS A TERRIBLE TIDING
can't get a problem right away.
3 - More kids are physically unfit TO WASI'I;.
from so much passive TV BE A MENTOR.
watching.
Answers to 10 Frequently Asked Questions
1) "Why turn off the television completely? Can we do it for just one day?"
Turning off the television for seven full days helps participants realize that life
without television is not torture and may actually be more full. A multi-day TV
"fast" allows sufficient time for the development of habits likely to be more
productive and rewarding. A one day turnoff provides too little challenge.
2) "Is all TV bad? What about the Discovery Channel or PBS?"
All -TV is passive, sedentary and non-experiential. Most viewers tend to watch shoe
after show--not individual programs. Instead of watching a documentary about birds,
go out (with binoculars if you have them) and see how many real birds you can
identify in your neighborhood. The purpose of National TV-Turnoff Week is to leave
-behind judgments about the quality of television and focus instead on creating.
discovering, building, participating and doing.
3) "«'hat about media literacy, and teaching critical viewing skills?"
By going without television for a week, people will learn a great deal about their
television habits and will likely be more critical viewers if and when they decide to
return to the tube. A TV "fast" is a path to media literacy.
4) "1 can't gide tip my programs! Dunt interfere in my home!"
Remember that a TV-Turnoff is voluntary and meant to be fun. It is intended to
build family and community spirit. Coordinate your turnoff in a way that does not
alienate or offend parents--they already have their hands full! Send a letter to parents
that asks for the family's participation in the turnoff (sample included). Indicate the
support of the principal, the teachers, PTA or other groups that you have. Parents
are more likely to sign oil if they kilo", that school professionals support the project.
5) "Du we have to plan an activity, every night..?"
Some organizers feel providing an activity every night doesn't mimic real life and
allows for a big letdown after the turnoff, so some people plan just a few. Plan
activities that you might consider doing the following week. 1n-school activities are a
possibility also, and most organizers agree it is good to have at least one family
activity during the turnoff.
6) "What about the name TV-Free America? Are you advocating the complete
eradication of television?"
TV-free America encourages Americans to watch less television and replace TV time
with activities that lead to more productive and rewarding lives. A TV-Turnoff is an
effective way to help break the television habit. While it may be unrealistic to think
participants will never watch television again (although a few won't), many will
regard the medium in a much different way henceforward.
7) "Ilow call we best appeal to teenagers?"
Make the turnoff fun and provocative. Copy and distribute articles and essays about
the environmental and social issues surrounding television and have students debate
the opposing views. Some teachers have awarded extra credits to participating
students who keep a journal and write an essay about their week without television.
Past TV-Turnoff organizers have asked local businesses (theaters, skating rinks.
miniature golf courses, bowling alleys, etc.) to offer discounts to students, families
and individuals who show a signed TV Turnoff "Pledge Card."
8) "1 need some peace and quiet when 1 come hone. The television occupies the
kids .chile i fig dinner."
Invite the children to help with simple tasks or have them talk with you while you
prepare dinner. Developing a few special (and regular) pre-dinner activities and
habits for children is a very worthwhile investment. Some parents also find playing
with kids for just a few minutes helps relax the kids as well as themselves.
9) "Our neighborhood is unsafe. Better that my kids sit in front of the television at
home than risk harm outside."
"there are many indoor activities that are fun, productive and TV-free (see list).
Work with neighbors or a local conmwiity center to develop indoor and outdoor
activities for participating families. Point out that neighborhood improvement will
never occur as long as residents merely retreat to the fictional, vicarious world of
television.
t0) "1 can't afford the cost of these 'substitute' activities!"
There are marry free and simple activities (see lists) sponsored by libraries,
environmental groups, museums, universities, etc. Local newspapers, radio stations
and community organizations will have listings of free, public events. Outdoor
recreation is an activity that is generally free--as well as healthy!
For more information call: HEALING OUR NATION FROM VIOLENCE 510-932-6943
Helpful Hints for Planning a Local TV-Turnoff
Anna Kinsman, high school teacher, School Without Walls; Washington DC
* Before the week, hold a discussion group with students to discuss the importance of
turning off the television.
* Develop a list of alternative activities that the class could do together or with the
community.
* Have students sign a "No TV" contract in front of the class.
* Structure the week as an extra credit project and give each student who participates an
"A" grade. Have them tog their substitute activities daily. At the end of the week,
ask them to write an essay about their experiences.
* Work with a team of teachers to present the turnoff as an interdisciplinary activity.
Have each teacher talk about the television problem relative to his/her subject area.
Suggest that teachers read Neil Postman's Amusing Ourselves to Death and distribute
a few of the chapters ("Peek-a-Boo" and "Typographical") to the students for
discussion.
Andy Shallal, parent and bookstore owner, Luna Books; Washington, DC/Fairfax, VA
* Most importantly, make the turnoff fun for everyone.
* Present the turnoff as a community-wide event.
* When soliciting support, avoid discussing the merits of certain television
programming--just ask them to take a complete break from TV for one week.
* Hold a "Bookworm Month" in April. Have students in the class build a worin out of
construction paper. Each student may add a ring bearing his/her name for every 30
minutes of reading completed.
* Prior to the turnoff, keep a log of your personal family TV habits. Write an essay
about what life would be like without television.
* When speaking to teachers, mention that National TV-Turnoff Week is endorsed by
the American Federation of Teachers.
* Give a red ribbon(s) to each child to tape across the television screen(s).
* At the end of the week, give each student and/or family a certificate of
merit/achievement.
Chris Cosimano, parent; Wrantham, MA
* Ask for your school principal's personal involvement and support.
* Flold a big kickoff celebration.
* Have the students create a symbol for the campaign.
* Ask local businesses to donate "llome Survival Kits" for students participating that
week. The kit could contain crayons, construction paper, books, etc.
Nancy Coffey, adult literacy teacher, organizer; Lynn, MA
* In our adult literacy program, the parents are writing and producing a book on
alternative activities for individuals and families. Schedule speakers to come and
address the issue of television and its effects on people.
Nancy DeSalvo, children's librarian, TVFA board member; Farmington, CT
* Write to the school board and town council. Ask for a resolution designating April
24-30 as TV-Turnoff Week.
* Sponsor workshops during the week for parents on topics such as "How to Match
Children's Books with your Child's Age", "How to Monitor your Child's Television
Watching Time," and other topical issues.
* Ask a local pediatrician or other professional to speak at the library.
Mitch Greenwood, elementary school principal; University City, MO
* As a principal, I go into each class and get the students excited about the turnoff.
Throughout the TV-Turnoff Week, I designate a 30-minute period each day when all
the students stop what they are doing and read aloud.
* Hold silly days. Have "Slip Into Reading Day" where everyone wears slippers or
socks to school or "Bear Day" where everyone brings their favorite teddy bear and
reads to it during the day.
Paula Terrasi, PTA president; Pepperell, MA
* Give merit certificates with a gold emblem to participating students.
Marilyn Phillips, librarian; University City Public Library, MO
* Provide story hours for families at the library.
* Hold a craft program one night that week.
* Call local press to inform them of your library's participation.
Brad Hess, PTO president, organizer; Hyattsville, MD
* Call up other PTO's and ask to speak to their membership. Give a basic overview.
Ask for their support. Provide background materials.
* Be certain to inform all parents early on about the turnoff. Ask them to support their
children by turning off the television as'a family.
* Do a one-day pre-turnoff some time that month.
* Organize a school picnic or an outdoor activity.
Suggested Events For TV-Turnoff Week
11 Sponsor a poster contest. Ask the kids to create a poster for the turnoff.
2) Place a red ribbon diagonally across the television during the week.
3) Have a big kick-off celebration. Invite a local storyteller, author, celebrity,
musician, or performance artist.
4) Invite local professionals (pediatricians, psychologists, teachers etc.) to talk
to parents about TV and its effects on children and family. Consider
scheduling the meeting before the TV-Turnoff Week.
5) Ask local bookstores, skating rinks, theaters, museums, to admit
participating families (those with a signed pledge card) for a discount.
6) Organize a community clean-up morning. Clean-up local public spaces,
parks, etc. Provide participants with bags for recycling.
7) Get local businesses to sponsor the turnoff and ask them to donate prizes for
raffles and events. Hold raffles in classrooms or in the school each day.
Kids could get a ticket for each day they don't watch television. Award TV-
Free prizes such as crayons, cards or books.
8) Hold a pot luck lunch or dinner. Each family can bring their favorite dish.
9) Sponsor an essay contest where children write about their experiences
during that week. Provide essays to your local newspaper for publication.
10) Ask booksellers, libraries and others to sponsor a community walk-a-thon.
Offer books, art supplies or discounted tickets to participants. Encourage
parents and children to get in shape together.
11 ) Organize an art night at school. Provide materials and have adults help the
children. Display the results at school.
12) Bring families and teachers together for a story/pajama night.
13) Hold a weekend pancake breakfast. You could ask each person to bring
food and clothing to donate to the local soup kitchen.
14) Schedule a talent show where parents, students and teachers perform.
15) Have a kids olympics on a Saturday. Have children compete in events
(potato sack races, egg toss, etc.) and have prizes awarded.
16) Plan a sleep-over at school in the gym. Have people read stories and play
games. Provide snacks.
17) Incorporate school activities Le spelling bees, book fairs etc. into the
Turnoff.
18) Sponsor a game night where families bring favorite board games to share.
19) Promote a read-a-thon during the week.
20) Schedule a dance with a theme (50's, costume). Have a dance contest for
parents and teachers where the students are the judges.
21) HAVE A BIG CELEBRATION AT THE END OF THE TURNOFF!
These are only a few suggestions. Please feel free to plan any activity for your
school, library, or community that is TV-Free and fun! Be creative. Good luck.
54 Ideas For What to Do With the Rids When You Turn Off the Tube
1► Volunteer in a school to teach reading, math, computer skills.
2) Learn to play the guitar or other musical instrument.
3) Attend community concerts.
4) Organize,a community clean-up.
5► Put together a puzzle.
6) Visit the library. Borrow a book. Attend library activities.
7) Go ice skating or roller skating.
8) Listen to the radio.
9) Visit the zoo.
10) Paint a picture, a mural or a room.
1 1) Attend a high school sporting event.
12) Find out about your area's community center or park's activities.
13) Go swimming. Join a community swim team.
14) Read a book aloud to your younger sister/brother. Read out loud The Hobbit by
15) Plan a picnic or barbecue. J R.R.To 1 k i en
16) Go bird watching.
17) Volunteer for a community organization or charity.
18) Play with your pet.
19) Go dancing.
20) Write a letter to a friend or relative.
21) Learn to cook.
22) Plant a flower, vegetable or herb garden.
23) Read magazines or newspapers.
24) Plan a slumber party.
25) Start a neighborhood basketball, soccer, or kickball game.
26) Go camping (even if it's just in the backyard!).
27) Join a choir.
28) Go through your closets and clothes. Donate surplus items to Goodwill, the Salvation Army
or a local rummage sale.
29) Start a diary/journal.
30) Go to a museum.
31) Take a nature hike. Collect seeds and leaves. Make a collage with the materials you
collected and post it on the refrigerator.
32) Play cards.
33) Start a community exercise group that power walks, runs, or bikes.
34) Read a story to your younger brother or sister.
35) Get out the family photo album. Research your family history.
36) Go listen to a local band.
37) Make crafts to give as gifts.
38) Make up a story and write it down. Illustrate it with borders and pictures .
39) Learn to say simple phrases in a few different languages.
40) Ask an older family member to tell you a story about his or her childhood. Write about it.
41) Learn some new riddles or jokes.
42) Bake two batches of cookies; one for your family and one for a neighbor.
43) Watch the night sky through binoculars; identify the different constellations. Observe the
moon.
44) Visit a local bookstore.
45) Go to a movie with your family or friends.
46) Walk to work or school.
47) Start a kids bowling league.
48) Train for a 5K race.
49) Teach a neighbor about a computer program.
50► Go fishing.
51) Begin a family project.
52) HAVE A PARTY TO CELEBRATE A TV-FREE WEEK.
53 ) Get a big refrigerator or washing machine box for the kids to
make a secret house or puppet theater . Paint the box! Paste
favorite pictures ot, it ! Write messages ! Make puppets !
54 ) Make greeting cards or thank .you notes.
For more Informatlon call: HEALING OUR NATION FROM VIOLENCE 510-932-6943
Letter to Parents
(Sample)
Dear Parents:
As you may know, your child's class plans to participate in National TV-Turnoff Week
together with thousands of other schools and communities nationwide. The purpose is to take
a healthy break from TV and refocus on activities that are more academically, socially and
physically rewarding.
We encourage your whole family to participate in this experiment and leave your
television set "off" for the entire week. ,
Successful regional turnoffs in the past have demonstrated that a solid one-week recess from
television allows people more time to converse, read, volunteer, exercise, play, think, create
and participate in their community. Tile point of National TV-Turnoff Week is to examine
the extent to which television detracts from more productive and rewarding activities and to
reconsider the role of television in our daily lives.
As part of this TV-Turnoff, there will be classroom activities for students and special events
for the entire family. More information will follow. Please join us in this week-long
celebration!'.!
Please complete this form and return it to your child's teacher by
Student's name Student's teacher
(check appropriate spaces)
Our whole family will be participating in the TV-Turnoff.
We'll all attend the family activities.
Just our child will be participating. We'll help him/her complete the program.
No one in our family will be participating in the TV-Turnoff.
(name/address of participant) (nameladdress of participant)
is pulling the phrg for is palling the phrg for
National TV-Turnoff Week National TV-Turnoff Week '
and pledges to: and pledges to:
• ll'atch rru 71'daring 11'-Jrrrnr ff►reek • Watch no TV during TV-turnoff week +
• Encourage others to do the same • Encourage others to do the same
• Engage in productive substitrite activities • Engage in productive substitute activities '
• Derelop crew skills, and have fim! • Develop new skills, and have jirr!
Instead of watching TV, I did the following: Instead of watching TV, I did the following:
2) - 2)
t) 3)
4) 4)
(Continue on reverse side) (Continue on reverse side) +
'.Signature: Signature:
(name/address of participant) (name/address of participant)
is pulling the plug for is pulling the plug for
National TV-Turnoff Week National TV-Turnoff Week
and pledges to: and pledges to:
• T1'atclr rlo TV during 7•V-turnoff►reek • Watch no TV during TV turnoff week
• Encourage others to do the same • Encourage others to do the same
• Engage in productive substitute activities • Engage in productive substitute activities
• Develop rrew,skills; have jun! • Develop new skills; have fun!
Instead of watching TV, I did the following: Instead of watching TV, I did the following:
I) I) •
'2) 2)
3) 3)
`4) 4)
(Continue on reverse side) (Continue on reverse side)
Signature: Signature:
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HANDOUT
TV ALERT
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Here's Where to Write to
"Praise" or "Criticize" TV. . .
Networks:
ABC-TV, Capital Cities/ABC, 77 W. 66th Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10023
CBS-TV, 51 W. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019
NBC-TV, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10112
PBS-TV, Elementary/Secondary Service, 1320 Braddock Place, Alexandria, VA 22314
CBC-TV, Canadian Broadcasting Corp., Box 500 Sta. A, Toronto, Ontario M5W 1E6.
Cable Channels:
A&E (Arts & Entertainment), P.O. Box 1610, Grand Central Station, NY, NY 10163-1610
AMC (American Movie Classics) and BRAVO, 150 Crossways Park W., Woodbury, NY 11797
BET (Black Entertainment Television), 1700 N. Moore St., Suite 2200, Rosslyn, VA 22201
CNBC, 2200 Fletcher Avenue, Ft. Lee, NJ 07024
CNN (Cable News Network), TBS Superstation and TNT (Turner Network Television), Turner
Educational Services, 1 CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30348-5366
C-SPAN, 400 N. Capitol St., Suite 650, Washington, DC 20001
DIS (The Disney Channel), 3800 W. Alameda, Burbank, CA 91505
ESPN, 935 Middle Street, Bristol, CT 06010
FAM (The Family Channel), 1000 Centerville Turnpike, Virginia Beach, VA 23463
HBO (Home Box Office) and MAX (Cinemax), HBO/Cinemax, 1100 Avenue of the Americas,
New York, NY 10036
LIFE (Lifetime), 3612 35th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11106
MON (The Monitor Channel), One Norway St., Boston, MA 02115
NICK (Nickelodeon) and MTV (Music Television), 1515 Broadway, New York, NY 10036
SHOW (Showtime) and TMC (The Movie Channel), 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
TDC (The Discovery Channel) and TLC (The Learning Channel), 7700 Wisconsin Avenue,
Bethesda, MD 20814-3522
USA (USA Network), 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020
VISN (Vision Interfaith Satellite Network), 74 Trinity Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10006
Check your local newspaper's TV guide for addresses of local TV stations and outlets.
TV Alert:A Wako-up Guido to Television Literacy 0 1"3 CENTER FOR MEDIA AND VALUES 39
CMA-A ANTI-VIOLENCE MEDIA CAMPAIGN
SAMPLE POSTCARD AND LETTER
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CRITICAL POSTCARD
Date
Dear (Producers, Network, etc.)
I was recently alarmed by the graphic depictions of violence included in
your television program of (DATE) entitled (NAME OF SHOW)
I believe violence such as this as an un ealthy influence on our society, and
particularly on children. I hope in the future you will consider the effects
of such portrayals in your programming decisions.
Sincerely,
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POSITIVE LETTER TO NETWORK
Your Address
Date
Executive
Network
Address
Dear Network Executive:
I was encouraged recently by the quality of content in your date
episode of (name of show) I share the values and ideas
represented, and I feel such programming can have a positive influence in our
society today. I hope you will continue to present material of this caliber.
Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
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Note:
You can use the postcard for both - it's quicker. Just eliminate headings and
be sure your return address is on the front of the card. It is OK to mention
you are a mother, grandmother, etc.
The New York Times
October 16, 1990
How Viewers
Grow Addicted
To Television
RyDANIELGOLEMANsports, reading or gardening, ttW--
= fared poorly as a diversion !
HE proposition that television can be addictive While ordinary viewers say television
addicts are emerging from the rr relaxes them while they watch,after-
is proving to be more than a glib metaphor.The seartlt For instance, a study of 491 ward they feel far leu relaxed, less
most intensive scientific studies of people's men and women reported this year happy and less able to concentrate
Tviewing habits are finding that for the most by Robin Smith Jacobvits of the Uni. than after participating in sports or
frequent viewers, watching television has many of the ver•sity of New Mexlca offers these other leisure activiUe&
marks of a dependency like alcoholism or other addic- -character&ketches: To be sure, many people in the
tions A 32-year-old police officer has television industry, as well as some
For instants, COTtpu1S1YC viewers, turn LO television three sets married with twhis ochildrenanted hasia the medium.caa be addect to ictive.
for
that
for solace when they feel distressed, rather than only tuii-Lime Job,he manages to watch 71 ,People may watch to kill time of
watching favorite programs for pleasure- And though hours of television a week He says,"I for escapism, but I've never ar ern
they get temporary emotional relief while watching,they rarely go out anymore." anything conclusive that shows tele-
end up feeling worse afterward. A 33-year-old woman who has three vision to be psychologically addic-
For a decade or more,researchers have pursued the children, is divorced and has no lob Live," Bald Richard Ducey, seniorh thesis that some television viewers are addicted to reports watching television 69 hours a president of research and plan.
Ypo .week She says,"Television can east- ning with the National Association of
watching But only this year have a handful of studies fy become like a companion if you're Broadcasters in Wastington. "It's a
produced the strongest evidence yet that some compul- not careful." proposition with no support,except in'
sive viewers are indeed addicted folder standard diag- A housewife who Is 50, with no some metaphorical sense, the same
nostic criteria. children, watches 90 hours of televi. way you mright be addicted to, "I'm home serf.'
alon a week. She des-
says
There is no nieflnlUon of television addiction tet almost every day and my TV is my 7M Lvue of whether the nwat I'm
which all researchers agre+a But people who call them- way of enjoying my day." qquent viewers of television are ad-
selves"television addicts,"studies find,watch television leslgbts oo Norawl viewing dieted to it is being arguod against
twice as much as the average viewer. One study found The studies also Med new light on the backdrop of a larger debate with-
that self-described addicts watched an average of 56 more ordinary viewing habits,show- in psychiatry on the nature of addic-
hours a week; the A.C. Nielsen Company reports the int that people who are emotionally tion itself.For the most part,psychia.
average for adults is just above 30 hours a week. dependent on to;erasion simply repre- try has held to a strict deftnlUon of
Recent studies have found that 2 to 12 percent of sent extremes of behavior seep from "addiction," restricting its use to de-
viewers see themselves as lddicted to television- they Lime to time in most viewers. scribe dependence on a substance
feel unhappy watching as much as they do. yet seem In a study comparing television like heroin to which the body develops
powerless to stop themselves. mowing with lecture activiuies like a tolerance mind shows withdrawal
Portraits of those who admit to being televisior
symptoms when deprived of It. 'people showed.
But in the current version of the These experiences with televi:p n
psychiatric diagnostic manual. Is= were strongest among the compt,i•
sueu:;.:"V,the category of addiction sive viewers.Not only did they report
was redefined and broadened to in. feeling worse than most people as
elude compulsive behaviors that oeo• they watched television, but their
pie turned to for relief from distress, spirits drooped all the more once they
and continued to rely on despite nega• _ stopped watching.What Little Lift they
tive effects on their emotional or wget from television,though,is enough
3_.
tial functioning. N In many uses for most frequent
"Under the broader definition, �1 �' ' viewers to become dependent on it,
many kinds of compulsive behavior , Dr. Kubey said.
could be considered addictive,includ- Rau - An additional pressure to watch
frig obsessive sex or compulsive tele- ;fid television for the compulsive viewers
vtsion viewing," said Dr. Allen arises from feeling uncomfortable
Frances, a psychiatrist at Cornell when they are alone with nothing'to
University Medical School, who is do, the study showed For such poo.
overseeing the revision of the diag- pie. Idle time is unpleasant, making
nosLIc manual them all the more ready to seek sol-
Watering Down of Concept O000 ®Q ace from television,
"However, the broad definition is III Wnoabdrnern Testing Addiction Tboorks
under debate.'' he said. "Many of us In other recent t•esearthn, Dr.
think It has become too vaggue,water- Mcl oche tested several theories of
ung down most
concept of addiction." television addiction in a study of 135
7M mast t5ommonly used scale to When the day starts students at the University of oroeta.
measure television addiction includes
using television as a sedative, even goingbadly, man his study,the one addicted to to in eight stuccos
y who
though it does not bring satisfaction; ho said they were the
lacking selectivity in viewing; feeling viewers turn to TV Sion s: 21h o twice a much as t10.
a loss of control while viewing; feel- others: 21 hours a week instead of ad 10.
with oneself for watching one promtnnent theory of televi-
ung enBrY g for solace. cion addiction, proposed by Jerome
so much,not being able to quit watch•
er-
ing and feeling miserable when kept Singer,a s that people
at o watUftich
too
from watching It. city,holds that people who watch too
much television from childhood grow
*'The turn on the TV when they than the others, and felt they had up with a deprived fantasy life- For
feel sit lonely,upset or worried,and little control over their lives. them,watching tekvfsion substitutes
they need to distract themselves For most people, there was a for their own imaginatlont But Dr.
from their troubles," said Robert strong relationship between being in Mcllwraith found too difference be-
McIlwraltht,a psychologist at the Unl- a Dad mood and watching television tween the television addku and other
versity of Manitoba. Dr. Mchlwraith to get out of IL The strongest pattern students in their abWties to have
reported his findings an television predicting that people would watch pleasant,vivid fantasies on their own.
addiction at the annual meeting of the television In the evening was that in Another theory, proposed by ppssi�
American Psychological Association the morning they felt the day was rhoanalytic theorists, is that teSevi.
In Boston last August- going badly, and by the afternoon Sion addicts have an"addictive"per-
Tee most exhaustive data on televi• they were In a bad mood. venality,which makes them vulnera-
sion watching data is from studies For all viewers, researchers have ble to dependences of all kinds. But
done between 1976 and 1988 on sev- found,television tends to elicit a state Dr.Mcllwralth found no evidence far
eral different groups involving close of "attentional Inertia," marked by that view. "Television addku don't
to 1,200 men and women who vola n• lowered activity In the part of the eat more junk food.or smote or drink
teered to fill out questionnaires about brain that processes complex tnfor- more alcohol than other groups."Dl.
their activities and moods whenever motion.That inertia,said Dr. Kubey, Mcllwralth"Id
they were
re alerted by beepers they may explain why a mediocre televi- Instead, his study tup�orted the
tion show can have high ratings If It findings of Dr. Kubey. Ile addicts
In analyzing the data for people's follows a popular one. were far more Likely than other so)-
television,-watching habits, Robert -It's common for people to say dents to say they watched TV wive+
Kubey, a psychologist now at the they are selective television watch- feeling lonely,sad. anxious or aanng�ryryl
School of Communications at Rutgers ers,' said Dr. Kubey. "They'll say and to use It w distract themoehro
University, worked with Mihaly they sat down just to watch 'LA. from things that bothered Nem or
Cstk:rentmihalyi, a psychologist at Law,'but they're still watching three when they were bored
the University of Chicago. hours later.A great many people feel g Pattern Identified
Their findings are reported In powerless to get up and turn It off."
"Television And the Quality of Ufe," For compulsive viewers,that iner• From this study and another of 476
E:bUshnce ed this year by LawreErl• tia becomes extreme,sothat the tong. men and women done with Jobe
Baum Associates While thelr conclu- er they watch,the more passive and Schallow. a psychologist at the Uain
mora ars drawn from the studies in- less discriminating they become, Dr. verslty of Manitoba, Dr. Mcllwraltb
volving more thin a tlsarsand people, Kubey found has Identified three main patterns at
the most detailed results come from a Oddly,while most people said they television use."One com moo use Is to
study in which 107 men and women were more relaxed while watchl.'tg alter mood." Dr. Mcllwralth Bald
reported on their experiences at ran_ television than they had been before "fix people tum on the tekvtsion
dourly selected more.-its throughout starting, they ended up feeling far when distressed. Another is to fiL
the day for a week. kss relaxed ot= they stopped ..We time when you are bored People who
The third of the men and women In found no evidence that television of- feel they are addictrd fall Into es,
the smaller study who watched televi• fen emotional rewards that extend tremes of these types."
sion the mos: were markedly differ- beyond viewing," Dr. Kubey said. On the other hang he said."there is
ent from the rest of those studied As Moreover,the longer people watch a rarer group who us< television se-
a group, the compulsive watchers television, the less rewarding they lectively. They tend to watch only a
were more irritable, tense and sad find it, the intensive study of 107 few favorite shows_"
AMERICAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Media Violence
Committee on Communications
American children and adolescents core being ex- larly by the "};(tiff guy") is the single most prevalent
posed it) increasing imo unls of media violence, es- notion in American media and the most powerfully
pecially in television, navvies, video games, and reinforcing one.'"" At young ages (before age 8), chii-
youlh-oriented music. By age 18, the average young dren cannot tnliformly discriminate between "real life"
person will have viewed all estimated 2W Wo arts of and "fantasy/entcrtainntent.""'"'° They quickly learn
violence on television alone.) Video game violence, that violence is in acceptable solution to resolving even
children's cartoons, and music lyrics have become complex problems, particularly if the aggressor is the
increasingly graphic. In movies, aclimi films depict hero."
anatomically precise murders, ripe~, and asoulls; The only country in the world with nearly its much
with each sequel, Ilse number of dealhs int wase tha- enlerlainmtcnl violence as the United States is Japiln.
nlaficalty.2 Although media violence is not file only Yet Japanese society is far less violent than American
cause of violence in American society, it i� the sin);Ir society. II nictlia violence contributes to real-tile vi-
most easily remediable contributing 1.0m.' oleme, why isn't Japanese society more affected? A
Acco►ding to recent Nielsen (lata, the avt•lllp. 1981 sludy2" found that the nature of the portrayal of
American child views 21 f l 23 hours of television per violence is diflerenl in Japan: the violence is store
(veek.' By file time today's children leach alae ;If, realistic mill Ihere is it greater emphasis oil physical
Ihcy t-.•ill have spell 7 l0 111 years of Ilivii lives suffering lir, (he consequences of violence are em-
watching television. Although movies mid t idvo phasiicd). Interestingly, in Japan the "bad guys"
games are more graphic in depictions of violence, comunit most of the violence, with the "good guys"
television is the single most impoilant n t-ditim in the suffering the consrtluences—tlie exact opposite of
lives of young people (98'1S, of all Anlericim house- American oro gram miti -Ili this co111ext, violence is
holds have nt bast one television set).' lks-pilr public seep, as wrong, a villainous activity with real and
vision concern bout teence levision
not vitt lence, alicamomil l Itrt�t i.11�lvt if 1cle- Iminful consequences, rather )him as justifiable."'
Media violence may: 1) facilitate aggressive and
past Iwo decades: (h(; hvu) of plime-lime 0411cnte antisocial behavior; 2) desensilixe viewers to fouler
has remained at three Ill live violent at pvi lltim, violeiice; and 3) increase viewers' perceptions that
and violence in Saturday morning chiltht•t1's p►►t- they are living in a mean and dangerous world'.21:2
granlhmNnK ranges between 20 to 25 violent aces lour Alllulo);h less is known about video games and their.
hour. American media me (he most viok•nl in III(• rllccls, the Inefli.l violence literature provides
world, and American society is tio�� pa) iog ii high grounds for concern." Media studies range from
price in leans of real-life violence.
Some people in the enleltainntrnl int1us11y slain_ content analyses (nutniloring the amount of violence
I.lin 111,11: 1) violent I)Wghlllunin}; is halndess toe cl►nlainefl in proglatnnlil►g), lu naturalistic studies
rause no studies exist that prove a connection be- (studying children as television is introduced into
tween violence in the media mill aggressive behavior their culture), to longitudinal correlational studies
in children and 2) young people know that Iulevi- (following a popolatiom of children fur years and
11 somelime!� decades)."-" As one leading researcher
Mull, movies, and video games are sinlllly fantasy. F+
Unforfunately, they are wrong on both collets. O%•er noted reccnlly, the clmltoversy is over.25 The vast
IWO studies—including n Surgeon Gem-tal's special majority of studies conclude that there is a cause-
leport in 197212 and a National histitufe of Menial and-effect relationship between media violence and
I lealth report 10 years later"—attest to it causal con- real-life violence. This link is undeniable ant{ un-
nection between nledin violence and aggressive be_ contestable. Liven if the overwhelming scientific
1lavior in some children.''' "•'`Studies show that the evidence did not exist, there would still be ample
more "real-life" the violence portrayed, the i water reason to oppose violent programming based on
the likelihood that it will be "Iearned."" Likewise, commune sense, philosophical, humanistic, or aesthetic
the portrayal of violence is Lwing justified (p.lrlirti_ grounds.2"
American media have also succeeded in glamoriz-
ing guns inn way that endangers the public health of
Ihrr4..nnnw19J.tli4atai19lhiadaftn.rel.h.194.1irnli4alra19...Itt.l..•.4a4..4' yollllgsters and adults. At a (lull' when guns rank as
nl I11•d11911.191 ..r lorm1%119tr 1..he 14111m,%%I V.tri.rli4.19.. 1.1luq;i4to...1,1..1tIll
imfivnl19el.irtumd.19a.�,nmv. N-
II
il•I•uq•ri.tlt lull' of lull' Irallll'g causes of deathi1111t1I1g Chlldfell
I I IMAIIll(S(ISSN 111.11 111115) L ,I,%ltKltf/) IVA 1-v 11.4• ,119..•rt.,.n A..t.l, Mid adolesceills,' gull-play and references to guns
ran 4.1 h-th.mpa, are still tilt' on prime-lime television, in the movies,
I'I:UIM 141CS Vol. 95 Mi. 6 )title 1995 949
TABLE. joint Network Standards on TV Violence'
Voluntary Limits on:
*Gratuitous or excessive violence
*Glamorous depictions of violence
•Scenes shnwing excessive gore, pain,or physical suffering
*Scenes showing uses of force that are "on the whole" inappropriate for a home viewing medium
•Replicable, unique,o► "ingenious" dt•picliuns of inflicting pain or injury
•Portrayals of dafirt-mus bt•havior lir wealrms Thal invite imitation by children
•Realistic porlrayals of vitdenct•that are unduly frightening in children's programs
•Graluilous depit lion of animal abuse
Encourages:
91'orlrayal of the eonsaluences of violence
•.1 -tluloig all p,ogran►s will► it-giod for Iht• likely tomlK,silion ill the inlrnJttl auJicncc
Ufge%('aulion
o,Ili slorivs and stcov%showhig children as victims
•h, Ihcn,cs, Plots, or -renes Ili-it mit st-t and violence leg, raltr)
'tiourcv: Network Iulevision Asst,cialinn, New York, 1442.
in vidt,o games, and in nnlsic lyrics. 'I lie Uoilcd made to help l,.irews undersland that by watch-
States is the must livivily armed nation 11n earth." inK television with their childreil Mill discussing
Any programming that makes Ihese instromenls of the cunlenl, they can address many potentially
killing more allractive, glan►l►r0u5, or desirable is objectionable content areas.
0.1.111(;emus, unllcalihy, and unt,lho I-
ical. H. Pediatricians are encouraged Ili edu-
'I Ile American Academe of Pudiatrits Ihciclorc caled about the issue of itivdia violence, to incor-
nlakes tilt, following; reconlnu•ndalimis: poral(: Ilial information into their anticipatory
I. Pediatricians should tilgi• Iht, t,nlctlainn1cl11 in guidance, ant( k, become advocalt,s fur reducing;
du-,try—television nrlw0r k .old rablr t,xt,culicl s, violence ill the media.
U. PCdialrlilMIS 51101.11d encourarw schools and par-
Iclevision and movie wrilcrs, producers and di- eats to Icach or continue Icaching; ntt'dia literacy
rel Iters,:end video g anic nlanulacluturs– to dent to children. This involves discussing; how the
1111SHolt,sensitivity to the issue of nit•dia violent c mcklia work, the inteiii of coninicicial-, ant.( pro-
m .1 linu•ly .110 su11stantial lasllion. Irl the inter- tranullin � and wholier their niessa are a
csls 01 cn•alive frct,don► Mitt In'c t•nit•I ,rise•, vol- �' �'' ' g •'•ts I -
prupriale. C-hildlt,n %%,ho are "Inetiiii MVIOW' are
onlory attention to this issue is plelclablc. Vill• nlurc lesislanl to harmlul media tllecls-"'"'
of lary remedies should include, but nut tit- I(L I'edialricians should conununica(v with the Fed-
hillilcd lo, parental AdviSOlit,s, rillin)'S syslcnls,
:1110.1 ian•Iul (ie, lafc ni).;I11) I,laienlent 01 pl0g;r•►nl- oral Conununic:►liuns Commission (ICC) to
strictly enlolct, 'I he Children's Television Act of
Icing and ploniolions with violent cunlenl. 1990, which nuulda1e5 (hal every Ideal television
2. Pediatricians should applaud the cable/network station has an oblig Ilion to produce sonic edu-
industry's recently published g iiidt,lincs itg;aid- calional progranulling; for children. Major efforts
in); violent prog;raniming (sec Table) .Intl ul)„c should tit, made to increase the quantity and
ildherence to them' quality of educational prog;ranuning; for children
Z. PCdiatri4L_ilI1S should contact their local slatiorls Mid leenag;ers, so that "good” progranulling; will
legardilig; viulcnl programming; for childlcn ant( vastly overwhelm "hilt" pn,Kranlnling;.
the need to curtail it sharply, replacing it will) 11. further research is needed to determine how to
cducatiunal nonviolent programming; for chit mitigate the harmful effects of media violence.
then. There is no subMiluic for reducing; 110th the
amount and the graphic nature of current media 01KIKIII.111 ON CoMMUNIt A1Rnvs, 1994 io 1945
violence on television, in movies, .lief in vidut► Sleve Shelov, MU, FAAP, Chair
gallies. Miriam liar-on, MU, (AAI'
•1. I'ediatricians should strmigly urge networks to Lillian Beard, Ml), (AAI'
avoid grog;ramming with the g;ratuilous dt-pie- klorjoric I logan, h1U, (AAI'
tion of weapons mid to carry programnihi ; Ilial 11. lames I lolrovd, MU, (AAI'
depict-, the conseque•nct•s Thal violence cilli Ilavl Ilot, Prentice, MU, FAAP
S. Normal Sherry, Nil), (AAI'
on lalnily and socit'ty. Vic tilrashutg;t,r, KID, FAAP5. Pediallicians should (Irg;t, Musicians and nlosir
producers l0 exercise volunlary reslrainl by clt•- RLUERENCLS
Moil; nonviolent lyric-, and music videos.
1 I lualtn, At. 1\nnu•t.lein 1, rain hi1J If.0.1 it HogKSnIJ.$melt-,t rn•n.
l+. I'edlatricians should llrg a all litoadcast Ille ha it, Iltr Rale ,{ It4rnnut lit Amount# ,.%octy l.in.aln, NEUnivrrsity td
spl imor at least a I-day iiioraloritim oil violvilty Nebraal„t I'nsa; Iw2
ill their progrinimiiig each October dutilll; Ila- 2 11.1grns 1••Miller M.r•tle 1),el tel V,ttlrute to(hu Cullum At Aterrue
tiomil Child i ieallll MI1t1111. Ilotopm .nr Atett•Whew G-te. lea flex* ht Aa Must ere We UoinJI to
7. I'vdintrlciiins shotild ask parviiis Ill llllllii1or their r►urvlit,or WuNi tri April 1, 1441, 117:4h-52
t cir,whurl;er y(' ('hildn•n, ed..hwt,•nla and IM• meadia: live crucial
t hllllrl'll'R 11111-,Ulllpl Intl of all llll lila eh►sl ly 111111 taauPt Adnfrvtrut Mrdu nu• Slrir t{flu-At(Rn•,ry 1941;4 479-491
tit hilllt lotil televlsioll vie%vllig; to Ill/ Illlrlt• (11:111 4 Al' Nit•Iw•n(on.l•anv leel.194.1 Rrinrl rn lrintaoe New York,NY:
I to 2 hotirs per day. Coiisistenf efforts should bl• Nodw•n Mtthe Rtvrath, Iwl
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Albany Times-Union. Oct. 9, 1994
Our culture is the first casualty
BY DONELLA N.NUDOWS
ew reports come out every month or of media poisoning
so about the decline of th
. e American shows havehaveoz*
mind-Every study shows a direct the neat ad. purpose—t°bold our attention until
=relation between poor intellectual Poisoning by media is even more harmful than
performance and ttes
frequent television poisoning by a�
or saturated feta,because it destroys
watching.No surprise.There are roughly not just individuals,but culture.Col-
as many studies showing that television tum is shared consciousness, the
common experience,the small things
rots the mind as there are studies showing we all kmw, the characters in our
that junk food rots the body or that stories,the morals those stories car-
.CWWm is wwe absorb as we
ctigarette smoking rots the lungs—as if we grow up, what wet am and hear so
needed studies. often that we call it reality. Out of
culture comes behavior.
As a society,we're doing more and more to deglamor- Our culture used to be derived
ize and control tobacco products.Enough of us are intent from experience with land, tools,
on healthy diets that even the junk-makers are cutting materials,may,neighbors,nature.
bark(a little)on fat, sugar, salt and chemicals. But so Now it is invented in the fantasy
far, we're doing no more than gripe about inane ads, shops of New York and California by
violent movies, obscene songs, vitriolic talk shows, people who only want to keep us
stupid sitcoms, though they degrade our minds, our daaled and watching.Visitors from
families and our nation. abroad are shocked by the brutality,
Why can't our children write?Have you ever looked at stupidity and artificiality of what we
the script of a TV show,even a news show,even a sober let these people broadcast into our
PBS documentary?There is no logical flow.The words heads.
are there as commentary on the pictures.The pictures Suppose we decide to do some-
are chosen not to build up a sequence of thought.,but to thing about this cultural assault At
engage the emotions. Sustained intelligence is hard first glance,it isn't clear what to do,
enough in a visual medium even if that were the intent since our blasted minds have lost the
of the producers,which it rarely is. distinction between free political
Why do families fall apart?We spend more time with speech, which is essential to democ-
the smartrtalking families on television than with the racy, and firee commercial speech,
real ones next door or even in our own house. Media which can undermine demo=cv
families are not known for their patience,compassion, along witli everything else worth-
productivity ar thinking. How often do you see sitcom while.If we keep the two straight,we
characters working with a sense of commitment? Or can come up with as many ways to
reacting to an idea with anything other than a wise- restore our culture as ways to protect
as&?How often do you catch them in an act of civic our hmgs. We can start with the
responsibility? disposition of our multibillion-dollar
Why are our politica venal and divisive? On talk gift of the public airways to private
shows everything is black and white,our side and their profibmakers,
side.Facts are twisted to ridicule one side and make the In the meantime, there's the'off
other look good. How can a child listening to steady switch. It's hard to turn, I know,
streams ofdistortion learn to be open to ideas and to test because,like tobacco and junk food,
them for truth? junk culture is addictive. It fills us
Why does our with illusion to the point where we
nation lead the oo don't know how to lead real lives. It
world in materi- sedates our kids so we don't have to
alism, brespon- -w spend time with them. But,as with
Bible sex and vio• •,^-.i,Y other addictions, the price of that
lenee?Hundreds •,,i t` ` o cheap comfort is way too high.
of times a day, c
the ads ten us o, The gvvemment could help us stay
dean by keeping pushers off the
how to solve ev- ('� streets and out of our living rooms.
buroblem by
ying some- y But ultimately,We up to us to decide
thing. Between what goes into our own and our Donella K Meadou:c is an acjunet
the ads, the children's lungs' mouths. eyes' ears professor of envimnmenO studies at
and minds. Dartnouth Ckillep
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Monday, March 27, 1995
Its 8 P M . Your' ' Kids
Are WatchingSex on TV
By ELizABm JF,4sF-N
Staff Rsp*rtn of THs wwu-STREET JOURNAL i.E I$ ON
For years, it stood as a wholesome
bulwark in television's prime-time sched-
ule— a child-friendly hour when racy lan-
guage, sex and other "adult situations"
were off limits.
Lately, however, the broadcast net-
works' 8 p.m. "family viewing hour" has
become a hotbed of sex and other spicy
fare.Fox broadcasts"Melrose Place,"the
California saga of steamy romance and
ruthless ambition, at 8 p.m. EST on Mon-
days. NBC offers "Wings," a sitcom with
no children and plenty of sexual innuendo, '
on Tuesdays at 8,and"Asad About You,"a
comedy about a newlywed couple, on
Thursdays. And next Wednesday, ABC is
moving the earthy "Roseanne" back an ,- �l•i�' ;
hour from 9 p.m.
The networks adopted the family hour
in 1975, under pressure from sex-and-vio-
lence
ex-and-vialence watchdog groups. Violent action
shows such as"The A-Team"occasionally
wandered into the time period after that,
but the networks avoided sexy themes.
When Fox aired the raunchy"Married. . .
With Children" in the 8 p.m. hour in 1981, E
there was an outcry from viewers,and the —
show was eventually moved to 9 p.m.
The policy also made business sense.
Until recently,most homes had one TV set, ,
and children tended to control what waste * ,
watched.That meant the networks needed
to attract kids in order to draw in the adults " ''
that advertisers really wanted. Squeaky-
clean fare such as "The Cosby Show"and ,
"The Walton" filled the bill, uniting the `a
entire family around the television.
But families — and their viewing
habits — have changed.Nearly 700/6 of the
nation's 95.4 million TV households now
have more than one television set,and 11%
have four or more, says Alan Sternfeld, ^' `
senior vice president of program planning
and scheduling for ABC. J
As a result,family members scatter to
watch separate sets,and parents no longer rather not watch with their parents. Whatever is showing at 8 p.m.,children
have to wait until the kids are asleep to NBC. a unit of General Electric Co., are likely to be watching. Of.the nation's
view grownup shows. Quintessential fam- was the first to tinker with the family hour. kids aged two to 11,35%are watching TV
ily programs like ABC's "Full House," in In early 1993, it scheduled reruns of during the time period.That drops to 2895
which the story line revolves around the "Cheers"at 8 p.m.on Thursdays and then, from 9 to 10 and just 17% from 10 to 11,
juvenile characters, are showing declines that summer, put a new adult-oriented according to Nielsen Media Research fig-
in the number of viewers per household, show,"Mad About You,"into the time slot. ures for February.
says David Poltrack, executive vice presi- The strategy "came out of panic," says At 8:35 p.m. one recent Monday,
dent at CBS Inc. A family-viewing study NBC Entertainment President Warren viewers of Fox's "Melrose Place" saw
conducted last October for ABC, a unit of Littlefield; the network didn't have a fam-, female vixen Sydney forced to join two
&Capital Cities/ABC Inc., indicates that lly show to plug into the time period.But to dozen women who were disrobing for.a
given a choice, kids and teens would the surprise of many,the shows worked. "best black bra"modeling contest at a bar.
Last fall, Sydney was raped, although the discovering his parents smoking ivair
incident occurred at the end of the hour- Juana.
long show. But "Roseanne"_will never be bland
"Melrose Place" was.an established television. In recent episodes, Roseanne's
show before Fox moved it to 8 p.m., so sister and her husband tried to make love
viewers know what to expect when they on a diner counter to spice up their sex life,
tune in, explains David Grant, an execu- and former real-life porn-film star Traci
tive vice president at News Corp.'s Fox Lords joined the cast, prompting a porn-
Broadcasting Co. Fox wouldn't try a new parody skit by some of the cast members
series with similar adult content in that during the closing credits. The show—
time period, he adds, because it doesn't whose current audience is 12%kids and 9016
want to surprise viewers with "more than teens — didn't carry ABC's "family view-
they were prepared for." ing"logo at 9 p.m.and is unlikely to do so
an hour earlier, the network says. Nor is
NBC has "no fear of any audience the time change permanent; the show is
member wandering into our shows," Mr. set to resume airing at 9 p.m. in May.The
Littlefield says,contending that programs schedule for next season hasn't been un-
scheduled during the 8 p.m. hour are nounced.
suitable for all ages. "is 'Mad About You' Mr. Harbert says he considered ques-
sophisticated? Absolutely," he says. tions of content and young viewers when
"Does some of it go above heads? Abso- the idea of moving"Roseanne"first arose.
lutely. But here's a couple madly in love But,reruns of "Roseanne" air on local
who show care and respect for each other. stations even earlier than 8 p.m., with a
In terms of its values and messages, it's rerun of the lesbian kiss episode shown
intended for all audiences." recently at 7 p.m.in New York.
Some shows aimed at an older audience Moreover, the networks insist they are
have had difficulty finding viewers at 8 redoubling efforts to develop shows that
p.m.This season's "My So-Called Life"— will draw viewers of all ages, much as
an ABC drama about adolescent angst that ABC's "Home Improvement" series does
was meant to appeal to teens and adults— now. "We have to work far harder to
won rave reviews but few viewers. The develop shows that parents want to watch
network has acknowledged it might have with kids,"says ABC's Mr. Harbert. NBC
fared better at a later hour. and CBS both have family shows in devel-
So far, the networks say, they have opment for fall.
received almost no complaints fromBut creating popular shows is a hit-or-
viewers that adult fare is unacceptable for miss proposition.ABC's Mr.Sternfeld sug-
the hour. They also stress that tradi- gests that today's talk about the imminent
tional family-hour standards haven't been demise of the family show is no more
scrapped entirely. Strong language re- accurate than similar predictions about
mains taboo.While most subject matter is the sitcom back in the 1980s. when, he
now permissible, Fox's Mr. Grant says it says, "there was nothing wrong with the
Is depicted "less graphically" than on form,just the execution."
programs later in the evening. And anyAnd as social values change, so do
moral message (the bad consequences of definitions of family shows. While "Rose-
anne"bears little resemblance to the more
using drugs, for example) "has to be a
little more clearly delivered than at 9 traditional "Full House," ABC's Mr. Har-
p.m.,"he says. bert contends it can be good family view-
ing.(ABC is expected to drop"Full House"
Roseanne, the star and executive pro- next season.) "Roseanne" made TV
ducer of the show bearing her name, is Guide's recent list of Top Ten shows to
"very mindful of the 8 p.m. time period," watch as a family. "Yes, things can get a
says Ted Harbert,president of ABC Enter- little ripe, but here's a bunch who stick
tainment. Even in its 9 p.m. time period, together and put family first," the maga-
this season's episodes have been tamer zine said.Adds Mr.Harbert: "You have to
than last season, when the show followed ask,is'Roseanne'the'Happy Days'of the
increasingly controversial plot lines,from 190ST,
Roseanne receiving a kiss from another
woman in a lesbian bar to young son D.J.
THE NEW YORK TIMES MARCH 31 , 1993
A Nation of Watchers
Forgets I--IIow to Play
dren,and knows he ought to play with is a chore,then you feel you have no
By TRISH HALL them. "I drag myself, but 1 become free time," said Dr. Mihaly Csiks-
engrossed and challenged,and when I zentmihalyi, a professor of human
O people really have less free am done, I feel better than I would development at the University of Chi-
time than they once did,or do have if I had watched TV," he said. cago who is the author of"Flow: The
they just feel that way be Passive activities, whether freely Psychology of Optimal Experience."
cause they try to cram e- chosen or not,didn't seem to provide (Harper Perennial, 1991.)
high satisfaction. "Our research sug- Learning to use time well, though,
much into their lives? gests that higher levels of physical takes time and effort."Daydreaming
Well-respected research seems to and intellectual energy generally is a skill you need to learn," he said.
point in contradictory directions. But yield higher dividends," he said. "Or writing poetry. Or doing mathe-
one aspect of time use that gets less Television did not rank high. "If matics.Many people don't teach their
attention is whether people find satisfac- you look at psychological states when children to enjoy activities that re-
tion in their leisure time,whether it's 1 they watch TV, they are among the quire the use of skills, like chess or
hour a day or 10. most negative," he said. "They're bridge. They don't have to be taught
The Academy of Leisure Sciences, almost affect-less." Nintendo."
made up of a group of academics who Leisure Trends Inc. in Glaston- Ruth Sills, a homemaker whose
study time use, says North Americans bury, Conn., which analyzes data on children are grown,volunteers for an
are losing the skills they need to get the time use that is gathered by the Gal- agency on Long Island that taught
most benefit from their free time. Be- lup Organization,says that 33 percent her how to help people overcome pho-
cause of the ever-expanding supply of of free time, on average, goes to bias. She takes people out into the
passive entertainment choices,like tele- watching television, with socializing world to face their fears, whether it
vision and videocassettes, people don't and reading the far-distant second be in an elevator, on a bridge, or
learn activities that are harder but ulti- and third pursuits. whatever. "I think of it as something
mately more gratifying. People may not even be conscious I like to k."she said."I don't think of
Dr, Geoffrey Godbey, a professor of of the percentage of time they dedi- it as worrk."
leisure studies at Pennsylvania State tate to television because the set is Mrs. Sills, who is "over 70", said
University and a member of the acad- just there. William Danner, a princi- she feels she has time to do every-
emy,says many people spend their eve- pal in Leisure Trends,said that when thing she wants to do, unlike many
nings eating,drinking and watching tele- people are asked what they do with people in their 20's and 30's, who are
vision,which provide immediate gratifi- their leisure, only 25 percent freely more likely to feel rushed because
cation but no challenge and,perhaps,not mention television. Only when asked they are starting families and build-
much relaxation. "You could argue that specifically if they watched TV did ing careers.
understimulation provokes anxiety," he the rest answer yes."They don't even But at any age, and with whatever
said. Learning to play the trumpet, or think of it anymore as a leisure activi- level of obligation, choices are made
chess,would be more gratifying,he said. ty," he said. "It's lost its novelty." about time use..ThQMas L.Goodale,aL
In the 7,000 interviews the company _professor in the department nt br.
That conviction f not based oa value has conducted since 1990, the major- sports andlei.g,r–s-4— a' t,curFv
judgment as to preferable leisure activi- MasQn Universitv in Fairfax,Va.,ano
ties,he said, but on research that moni- tpeople say they would most like
too read more and see friends more the editor of The ,iournal of Leisure
tors the satisfaction people derive from often, but don't have time. Science, believes that people would
their leisure-time pursuits. The feeling of a time shortage is so have many pursuits to choose from if
Some of that research has been done acute,he said, that "14 to 19 percent they just turned off the television. "if
by Dr. Roger Mannell, a psychologist of Americans tell us they don't have you gave people 20 hours a week,"he
who is chairman of the department of any leisure time. 1 know they have it, asked, "what would they do?"
recreation and leisure studies at the but they don't think they have any." He knows what he does with that
University of Waterloo in Ontario,Cana- Part of the problem comes in defin- time. Every morning and every
da. He and his colleagues gave pagers to ing leisure. ev ning, he walks for 40 minutes to
500 people and randomly beeped them "If you are at home and everything from his office. "I'm the only
nine or 10 times a day, and asked them person I've met in northern Virginia
who walks to work,"he said. "1 enjoy
to write down what they were doing,
thinking and feeling when beeped. the walk. I hear birds sing."
The highest satisfaction, Dr. Mannell
said, came when people participated in
an activity they had freely committed
themselves to do, even if they hadn't
been initially eager about it. For exam-
ple,Dr.Mannell said,when he gets home
from work, he feels like reading or
watching television. But he has five chil-
March 1995 NEA Today (N a?rk o w-.( ji w4o►\ ASSo e.) 27
SOUNDING • D
By Benjamin Lev needed support from
other families,
Wherilwas ♦ planned alternatives
ayoung- for the children and
ster,1 themselves,and
watched thousands skills to manage
of hours of cartoons it C* their return to view-
and sitcoms and ing.
commercials.which I organized the
cofirst
all blend together I Sonoma County TV
into one memory Turn-Off campaign
witha few distinct characteristics. - in 1992 with the simple goal of help-
1 usually watched by myself,or at ing families and individuals rethink the
least 1 was in my own world while role of television in their)ivies.The
watching.I ate non-stop while I Tum-Off involved 12 schools with a
watched.1"surfed"between shows total of about 2.000 students.It was so
,
until my mother got mad at me for not well received that each year wogs
coming upstairs for dinner.And,when sr doubled our participation.In March
I finally turned the TV off.I felt bad r' 1994,45 schools with about 10.000
about myself and what seemed like my _ students joined in the fun.
insignificant life. It's taken a lot of work on the pan of
While I wet-,watching.I had to be many parents and teachers to organize
ever-alen for ms dad's footsteps.My activities for the youngster,in lieu of
father was a man of action.with his cartoons.but it's been worth it.
own profession.hobbies.sports,and Countless children have proudh
perpetual projects He loathed the pas- told me about all the things they're
sivity that TV wrought upon his chil- doing instead of watching television,
dren.He gently rocked our heads even long after the official tum-off
between hi,large hands.made slosh- ended.They're planning for their
mg sounds.and claimed that television viewing and watching less in general
would surely'yellify our brains." They're savvy about commercials,
Several times,he broke the set or cut +' plots,fact versus fantasy.
off the plug.which left our house TV-
free until my brother would fix it(he's The children are clearly in charge
now an electrical engineers.Needless ( of their TV viewing.instead of the
to say,I took to watching when Dad other way around.Our next task is to
wasn't around or wouldn't find out. �� - j-`::,: a \ r 1, find out how the parents are doing'
4;7K - Turning off the TV is a simple,sen-
In W,1 probably watched as sible act with the potential to improve
much television as ms friends.But as 1 " r "� family life in dramatic ways *via%be
grew.I remembered his critique of you,your family.and your entire
excessive viewing,vacuous shows, - r� school will Join us in April for a week
and passivity in general. _ �5.«':;_4 .".+ without television It would make my
When I lira became a teacher.1 _ c• father proud.
worked hard to help my students enjoy r � FYI:The first annual national TV
'teaming and get along with one anoth- Tum-Off is set for April 21-30.For
er,yet often I felt like 1 was swimming ` - I information about organizing a local
against the tide.It took the advent of a tum-off in your school,library,or
the Ninja Turtles—and the immediate community.contact TV-Free America,
increase in playground injuries as kids .2 1322 1 8t St..N.W.,Washington.DC
imitated the reptilian martial arts—for •+" "',+� 20036.20J887-0436.FAX 202J887-
me to consider television as a root T +' 0438.For a$5 donation.TV-Free
source of children's social problems. America will send you an organizer's
If children learn more from what i kit,complete with guidebook,poster.
they're shown than what they're told, bumper stickers.pledge cards,and an
how could television not have a Ever,feel like pulling the plug,throwing out your TV information package.
tremendous impact on their behavior?
Could it really affect their academics Guide,and finding something else to do?A California Benjanin
as well?What were kids learning dur- teacher explains how he got thousands of TV-loving kids Ley
ing their(average)four hours of daily reaches
viewing'Would cartoons,especially and their families to turn off and take control of their time. 30 bilin-
shows like"The Simpsons"and I gual �.
"Beavis and Bunhead,"reinforce the kvider-
notion that dumb is cool? "plastic,"more capable,brain. 5.000 hours by the time a student garreners
Jane Healy's book Endangered Television,for a variety of reasons, enters kindergarten.By the time young at Rose-
Minds.Why our Children Don't Think is not as mentally stimulating as these people finish high school,they'll have lard
a What We Can Do About It activities,and thus doesn't cause as spent more time watching TV than sit- Elewm.
(Touchstone Books.1991)helped me much dendritic branching.Chronically ting in a classroom. tan in
understand how TV and its"culture" unstimulated brains arc less well- Yes,too much TV is a central part ,Santa
affect growing brains.Simply,the developed,less flexible.The classic of the problem.if moderation snakes Rosa.
brain,like muscle,can be developed, "television zombie"look on our chit- sense,1 wondered,how could 1 help to CaliJor-
especially during the critical growing dren's fres intuitively confirms this. bring it about? nia He's also a homdschool resource
years between birth and age six. Once the formativeyears are over, teacher and member of the Santa Rosa
Mental stimulation—trw experi• it's much harder to develop the brain. As 1 saw 11,families were an Education Association. He quit mrd-
ences,reading,conversation,explo- Maybe my father.in his own way,was chronically enmeshed in their daily ical school 10 years ago to trach.
ration,physical effort,sensory stimula- right about us jellifying our brains if viewing routine that they didn't— Instead of watching television.Ley
tion,and play—all cause the young we watched too much television. couldn't—see its effects.They needed rends a large garden,plays ja=guitar,
brain's nerve cells to send out new Too much television.Six times more a chance to take a reasonable break and is inventing a nem language with
dendritic branches,resulting in a more TV dot homework.An average of from the set.say a week or two.They his»ifr.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL THURSDAY, FEBRUARY lo, 1994
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Going Tubeless: Some
Find Their Families
Thrive Without TV
Continued From Pbge 8f
says. "It's so much easier just to tram on Nell Spekman of New York City has
the TV when you need to make dinner." reached the age of 16 without succumbing
But the behavior changes were so marked, to the TV habit.When she was a baby,her
she says, that the rule soon became: no family's set burned out and was never
TV. replaced.Though friends wonder how she
After initial protests,the twins gave up fills her spare time.Nell says she is rarely
asking to watch TV.Says their mother: "It bored, Instead of watching sitcoms, she
didn't take long. . . .We just gave them a says, her family often reads aloud. "We
zillion other things to do." went through the Tolkien trilogy and Sher-
At the Waldorf School, where most lock Holmes," she says. "It brought our
children are TV-free, teachers say heavy family together."
viewers stand out. "If you see kindergar- Still, opting out of the cultural main-
teners playing superheroes and pretending stream requires a thick skin. After Su-
to kill and slice and hurt, it's a dead zanne Shelton-Foley joined a health club,
giveaway,"says Joan Ingle,a therapist at she asked that the TV be turned off when
the,school.Not only do TV and video games she left her children at the club's nursery.
encourage aggressive behavior, she ar- "It was,'Sure,no problem,'and as soon as
gues, they tend to impair a child's mem- my check cleared I was a lunatic," she
ory, attention span and imagination. recalls. She stopped taking her children
One who has witnessed lots of TV-con- there.
ditioned kids is professional storyteller When Ann Potts proposed a TV-free
Odds Bodkin, who performs before some week last year at Pointers Run Elementary
10,000 people a year, most of them chil- School in Clarksville,Md.,she says it"was
dren. "Like clockwork, after seven min- not an easy idea to sell"to parent-teacher
utes a ripple goes through the crowd," he association board members, who initially
says. "Their inner clocks expect a com- fretted about missing favorite shows. But
mercial." That's his cue to step up the more than 7017c of the school's 400 students
story's pace with music or one of his 100 complied with the blackout; and since
character voices,he says.Mr.Bodkin,who then,Ms. Potts says,many parents report
lives in Bradford,N.H.,restricts his three that viewing in their homes is down.
young sons'TV watching to weekends. Experiments like the one at Pointers
Parents 'say it becomes harder to Run are springing up with increasing
keep TV at bay once children reach frequency. Afterward, parents and
early adolescence. Jay Voss of Chicago teachers consistently report better home-
says he has begun to ease up on his work,improved family relations and other
13-year-old son Hartley's TV restrictions. positive results,according to Marie Winn,
"Teenagers need exposure to mass cul- author of "The Plug-In Drug," a book
ture so they can form their own conclu- about TV addiction in children. "Families
sions," he,says. Hartley and his friends are often euphoric about how wonderful it
watch "Saturday Night Live" and mimic was,"she says. "But then they sheepishly
the jokes, "and if he doesn't watch," Mr. turn the TV back on and look back on their
Voss says, "he's the odd guy out." But time without it as an oasis in the desert."
Hartley's sisters, aged 10 and five, aren't
interested in TV and don't watch.
f
row out the W%t
We di
If you have kids, you've probably considered it yourself, but lost your
nerve. Go ahead and do it, this doctor urges. The benefits are many.
By Daniel D. Buff
NMRNIST/FAR ROCKAWAY,N.Y.
ou may think I'm crazy when you hear what to cut back on less important things like TV, but I
my wife, Nancy, and 1 did. I still can't believe still found time for the news, sports, and a little
it myself, but it has produced innumerable 'Wheel of Fortune.' In a typical night, I'd watch dur-
benefits for our family. ing dinner,spend some time with Nancy, read a bit,
We threw out our television sets. catch the end of a game, and watch the late news
I realize that in late-20th-century America, tech- before falling asleep. Once in a while, Nancy was
nology is king. Yet I don't consider myself a coun- able to drag me away from a Sunday New York Jets
tercultural zealot. In fact, I'm probably much like game for outdoor activities. This routine was okay
you: an overworked physician constantly juggling until the kids came along and my practice began to
professional, family, and personal needs. Several grow.
years ago, I reached a point at which the juggling
wasn't going very well. I felt I never had enough t was then I had the first inkling that TV had to go.
time,and it was clear something had to give. I final- Maybe it was Nancy's frequent complaints that
ly realized I could preserve either my TV or my san- we didn't spend enough time together anymore.
ity.The TV lost. Or maybe it was the Tuesday morning hangovers 1
Not that it was an easy decision. Television had seemed to get during football season from trying to
been a major part of my childhood. make it to the end of Monday night's game.
I was addicted to 'Monday Night Here in the East,they often end after
Football," Yankee baseball midnight.
games, and the original 'Star The real eye-opener was
Trek." I was a 'Jeopardy!" watching my oldest son get
whiz and pretty good at more and more attached
'The Price is Right," to the TV. I remember
although I had trouble cringing when 1 sat
with 'What's My Une.' with him watching
Characters in 'The commercials during
Brady Bunch' and basketball games.
'The Partridge Family" How do you answer a
were more familiar to 3-year-old when, after staring
me (and more pleasant at scantily clad women
to be around) than pushing beer or sicken
many members of my ing coming attractions
own family. Two of my from the next violent
• favorite shows—predictably— blockbuster to hit the
were 'Marcus Welby, M.D.; and ) i little screen, he asks
"M•A'S'H.' you to explain what
When I got married and then he's seeing?
finished my training, 1 found little Nancy and I discussed a
time for relaxation. I knew I had number of solutions to our
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Concerned about violence on television, videos, and in the movies? Do you feel
overwhelmed as a parent?
Ellen Schwartz, M.A.
Exec. Dir. of Healing Our Nation From Violence
will give a thought-provoking presention of the
REAL FACTS AS TO HOW
ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY VIOLENCE
AFFECTS OUR CHILDREN --
AND WHAT YOU AS A PARENT CAN DO ABOUT IT
Your suspicions were right -- the television is not just an innocuous box in the corner.
Over two thousand studies have been done on this topic, of which eighty-five were
long term. Eighty-four found a strong correlation with increased verbal and physical
aggressiveness; only the study funded by NBC found no correlation.
In addition, the VALUES generally transmitted by tv and movies have little in common
with the values parents try to instill in their children.
TV VALUES HEALTHY CHILDREN VALUES
*instant gratification *self discipline
*win at any cost *responsibiltiy
*look out only for yourself *respect for self & others
*violence is fun & entertaining *peaceful conflict resolution
*happiness = wealth *happiness comes from within
THERE IS MUCH THAT WE CAN DO. Ellen Schwartz's presentations utilize a variety
of educational tools including:
** Videos
"The Killing Screens": Dr. George Gerbner talks about the implications of his 25
years of research on television violence
"Dreamworlds": MTV is sending a powerful message to our young girls: that their
worth lies in being a male fantasy
** One-page Parent Help & Action Sheets
** Organizing Book Discussion Groups on Selling Out America's Children
David Walsh's book is the most concise work about TV's impact on our kids.
You can read it in about four hours. It's full of stories and studies you'll be
sharing with family and friends.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO SCHEDULE A PRESENTATION: 510-932-6943
BOOKS ABOUT TELEVISION
GENERAL:
� e (lin CW Ame.rIca5 Children by Dr, kivIG( lGkr/6ti Fuir✓I Press
N�''`�' ' • The E feet§ of Television. Video-Games and Computers by Patricia Marks Greenfield
(The Developing Child Series)
• Endangered Minds by Jane Healy
• Television and the Quality of Life by R. Kuby and M. Csikszentmihalyi
• Four Arguments For the Elimination of Television by Jerry Mander
• In the Absence of the Sacred: The Failure of Technologv and the Fate of the Indian
Nations by Jerry Mander
• The Age of Missing Information by Bill McKibben
• Amusing Ourselves To Death by Neil Postman
• The Disappearance of Childhood by Neil Postman
• Parents. Children and TV. Highlights for Children by D. Singer and H. Bryman Kelly
• Adolescents and the Media by Victor Strasburger, M.D..(Hanley and Belfus, 1993)
• The Plug-In-Drug by Marie Winn
• Understanding Media by Marshall McLuhan, foreword by Lewis H. Lapham
• Game Over: How Nintendo Conquered the World by David Sheff
• The Smart Parent's Guide to Kids' TV by Milton Chen
• Television and Children by Michael Howe
• The Early Window Effects of Television on Children by Robert Liebert
• Television and America's Children: A Crisis of Neglect by Edwin Palmer
• Beginning With Books: Library Programming For Infants, Toddlers and Preschoolers
by Nancy DeSalvo
BOOKS ABOUT TURNING OFF TELEVISION:
• 365 TV-Free Activities You Can Do With Your Child by Steve and Ruth Bennett
• What to do After You Turn off the TV by Frances Moore Lappe and Family
• The Plug-In Drug by Marie Winn
• Unplugging the Plug-An Drug by Marie Winn
• Who's Bringing Them Up: How to Break the TV Habit! by Martin Large
• Breaking the TV Habit by Joan Wilkins
• Kick the TV Habit! by Steve and Ruth Bennett
CHILDREN'S BOOKS:
• The Wretched Stone by Chris Van Allsburg
• The Berenstain Bears and Too Much TV by Stan and Jan Berenstain
• Jim Meets The Thing by Miriam Cohen
• The Problem With Pulcifer by Florence P. Heide
• The Boy Who Turned Into a TV Set by Stephen Manes
• Mouse TV by Matt Novak
• The Week Mom Unplugged the TVs by Terry Wolfe Phelan
• The Day Our TV Broke Down by Betty R. Wright
• The Day The TV Blew Up by Dan West
• TV Dinner by Betsy Everitt
This is a brief list of books available on the topic of television. For more information contact
your local library or bookstore.
Facts About Television
Family life
The average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours/week, or 2 months of nonstop
° TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent 9 years glued to the tube.
• Percentage of households that possess at least one television: 99
• Number of TV sets in the average U.S. household: 2.24
• Percentage of Americans that regularly watch television while eating dinner: 66
• Number of hours per day that TV is on in an average U.S. home: 7
• Number of hours of TV watched annually by Americans: 250 billion
• Value of that time assuming an average wage of $5/hour: $1.25 trillion
• Number of videos rented daily in the U.S.: 6 million
• Number of public library items checked out daily: 3 million
• Percentage of Americans who say they watch too much TV: 49
• Percentage of Americans who say they would like to read or visit friends but have no time: 19
Children
There have been more than 4,000 studies about TV's effects on children. While definitive conclusions are
dif f icult to arrive at, most studies suggest that excessive TV-watching correlates with:
1) aggressive behavior
2) lower academic performance
3) a child's belief that he/she will be the victim of a crime
41 diminished attention spans
5) stereotyped a) sex-role attitudes, b) images of older people, c) racial & ethnic perceptions
• Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 38.5
• Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680
• Percentage of children ages 6-17 who have TV's in their bedrooms: 50
• Percentage of day care centers that use TV during a typical day: 70
• Percentage of parents who would like to limit their children's TV watching: 73
• Percentage of 4-6 year-olds who, when asked to choose between watching TV and spending time
with their fathers, preferred television: 54
• Hours per year the average American youth spends in school: 900 hours
• Hours per year the average American youth watches television: 1500
• Percentage of 71h graders who watch more than 3 hours of TV daily: 47
• Percentage of 7th graders who read daily for pleasure: 27
Violence
Over 1,000 separate studies and reviews attest that exposure to heavy doses of television violence increases
the likelihood of aggressive behavior.
• Number of murders seen on TV by the time an average child finishes elementary school: 8,000
• Number of violent acts seen on TV by age 18: 200.000
• Percentage of Americans who believe TV violence helps precipitate real life mayhem: 79
Commercialism
• Number of 30-second commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
• Percentage of top ten best-selling toys in 1985 that were tied to TV shows: 100
• Number of years spent watching commercials in an average lifetime: 1.5
• Rank of food products/fast-food restaurants among TV advertisements to kids: 1
For more information call: HEALING OUR NATION FROM VIOLENCE 5.10-932-6943
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