TV is the single most significant factor contributing to violence in America. No, that's not my opinion. They are the words of... Ted Turner. Even if Ted was slightly exaggerating, surely there must be better things for kids (and adults!) to do than hang in front of the TV all day. "All day? Come on - now you are exaggerating." I can hear you think it. Perhaps you're right. But allow me to give you some statistics:
- In an average US home, the TV set is switched on for 7 hours and 40 minutes a day.
- The average American watches over 4 hours of TV per day (or more than 28 hours a week).
- The average American parent spends 38.5 minutes a week in meaningful conversation with his kids.
- 45% of American parents admit that they switch on the tv to occupy their kids while they have something important to do.
- The average American youth spends 900 hours a year in school.
- He spends 1,023 hours a year watching television...
Yes, I could go on for a while. No, I do not believe the situation here in Europe is that much better (according to some recent figures I found in Bizz Magazine, the average Belgian watches TV 164 minutes a day, which amounts to an average of roughly 19 hours a week). What are we going to do about it? Good question. I must admit I was brought up with the TV in the living room as well. And yes, I have spent quite a few hours in front of it. No, I do not believe those hours were all wasted. But let's be honest: there are times when we or our kids are just gazing at some mind-numbing BS, aren't there? And with reports about child obesity increasing, we should all get off our butts and do something about it.
So, why not try and use our TV in a more controlled and/or sensible manner (I am not sure I'd be able to ban it alltogether)? A good way of starting is to introduce, just once a year, a TV turnoff week. This year, TV turnoff week is from 24 to 30 April. It's all about "empowering people to take control of technology and not letting technology take control of them so they can live healthier lives." (Blimey, reading this, we might want to introduce a PC turnoff week too...)
A commendable initiative if you ask me. Besides, I tend to agree more and more with Groucho Marx. One of his famous quotes was "I find the television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book..."
Recognise the feeling? So: why not join? Give it a try. You and/or your kids might even like it. Just ask Benjamin Loxley, a second-grader from Lewisboro (New Jersey), who, after an earlier edition of TV turnoff week, announced: "I had a great time. My only question is: if this is so great, why don't we turn off the TV for the other 51 weeks of the year?"
"Television, the drug of a nation. Breeding ignorance and feeding radiation" (copyright Mr Michael Franti)
Posted by: marc | April 25, 2006 at 11:24 PM
Ik had het niet beter kunnen formuleren... :-)
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | April 26, 2006 at 08:10 AM
To paraphrase Ernie Kovacs: Television is a medium. It's neither rare nor well done.
The precocious Mr. Loxley has the right idea. I doubt I watch 7 hours and 40 minutes of television a month, never mind a day. It hardly ever occurs to me to turn the thing on, and that's just fine.
Posted by: Ian Joyce | April 28, 2006 at 05:09 AM
Ian, you're right. Life is a lot more fun sitting on a bike than in a couch...
Posted by: Serge Cornelus | April 28, 2006 at 04:12 PM