46 of 453

No

Write now Article Tools

Raising children without television is like saying you do not trust yourself or them not to be influenced by what they see.

Television is a useful media for learning -there are many programs which are educational. It offers children an opportunity to see other cultures, to learn about other religions (and their own) and to see places and learn about peoples far away from their own lives.

To deny children television is to deny them a tool which has been given to us to expand and extend their minds, their way of thinking and their knowledge.

So long as you keep television in its place there is no treason why children should be denied it.
I am not advocating leaving children parked in front of the screen for hours and hours - neither am I advocating allowing them to choose what they watch at any hour of day. Television should be a tool for use by parents to enhance their children's lives.

It cannot replace books and it cannot replace real life but it will increase their understanding of the world and allow them to see things from other people's points of views.

Even for the very young, there are programs which show them animals from all over the world, extend their use of numbers and help their education. Used in conjunction with books, these programs are wonderful tools for any parent.

Television also allows children to switch off in a way no books or other media can. They are presented with images, information and characters and generally entertained and this, in small doses and particular circumstances, can be good for them if they are working hard or are under a good deal of stress.

Also, seeing children on TV cope in different ways with every day problems can help them think them through better.

As a family Television can provide a time to watch programs together. We do not always feel like playing games or reading and sometimes a good series which everyone in the family watches and enjoys can be a great way of getting all ages to sit down and watch something together - especially if you talk about it afterward.

Television has a place in our lives- it is a tool for good and if we treat it with respect, are careful what we and our families watch, then there is no reason why children should be brought up without Television.

Learn more about this author, Sammy Stein.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should parents raise their children without television??
We want to hear your view. Write now!