Lori

Research also has indicated that media can adversely
impact sexuality, academic performance, body concept
and self-image, nutrition, dieting and obesity, and
substance abuse patterns, according to the recently
revised AAP Policy Statement, "Children, Adolescents
and Television" (Pediatrics. 2001;107:423-426).

I am sure that we can all find research to support our
own feelings about tv. I think. At least I can find
research that supports my feeling that tv does have an
impact on children, both positive and negative.

I don't think it is anything less than obvious that
woman are not depicted as positive role models all
that often on tv. Especially in cartoons. There are
many out there that do make attempts to do better, but
lets face it. It is quite clear that how women are
depicted on tv and the media adversely affects a teens
self image. How many near anorexic models do that have
to look at before they feel they are not attractive?
Did you ever take a look at home much sex and alcohol
are in tv shows? MTV is littered with it, about 1/4 of
their programming has alcohol abuse in it.

Nearly two-thirds of all television programming
contains violence, and children's shows contain the
most violence, according to a recent study.

Neuroscientists have shown that environmental
experiences significantly shape the developing brain
because of the plasticity of its neuronal
connectivity. Thus, repeated exposure to any stimulus
in a child's environment may forcibly impact mental
and emotional growth, either by setting up particular
circuitry ("habits of mind") or by depriving the brain
of other experiences. While appropriate stimuli �
close interaction with loving caregivers; an enriched,
interactive, human language environment; engrossing
hands-on play opportunities; and age-appropriate
academic stimulation � enhance the brain's
development, environments that encourage intellectual
passivity and maladaptive behavior (e.g., impulsivity,
violence), or deprive the brain of important chances
to participate actively in social relationships,
creative play, reflection and complex problem-solving
may have deleterious and irrevocable consequences. In
addition, trying to plunge youngsters into academic
learning, when they should be personally investigating
the three-dimensional world, risks bypassing important
aspects of development.

So for me, limiting what they see, or if I am
available, watching it with them, is the only way to
address it. By watching it with them, I can help them
develop media literacy. With those skills, than yes, I
agree, much of what's on television can be positive
viewing experiences.

Teaching media literacy skills to a very young child
is difficult. As is sitting with them all day and
watching tv, if that's what they are choosing to do. I
would hesitate to let the tv remain on, without being
able to point out the indiscrepancies between reality
and tv. The road runner only goes from being flattened
to a healthy road runner on tv. Doesn't happen in
reality.


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I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a
burden to bear.--
Martin Luther King, Jr.

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