A reader wrote asking me why I consider showing blood and gore on television a disturbing thing for us and our children.
He thought that I should concentrate on more disturbing things that our children are exposed to every day. The reality TV program Star Academy, he said, was a source of imported and corrupt values for our society.
And with a whole campaign going on here against reality TV programs, I can see the reader’s response in context. It seems people are apprehensive about how much these programs are being watched.
They have become hugely popular not only among youngsters but among people of all ages.
I have not followed these programs, but from the bits I saw on TV, they seem to be entertaining, if sometimes trivial, and they got people’s attention — that is what make them successful.
People who consider these programs a danger to society are overreacting, in keeping with our habit to raise arms against anything that sweeps people away.
How vulnerable we must be if a TV program can “destroy our moral standards”, and teach our children bad things. If our society is that weak, then we have every reason to stop all TV programs, close our doors and windows and stay at home.
TV shows are optional viewing, and if anyone does not want to see them, they can easily switch off their sets. Those who think the shows are entertaining should be able to decide what to watch. Calls for stopping something just because some of us do not like it are not helpful here.
In the age of satellite TV, you are exposed to all sorts of programs, and this is where personal choice and parental guidance come in. Control your own circle and make sure you are protecting your family from what you think is harmful to them, but do not decide that for others.
Which leads us to a vital question: How much time do we spend with our children? How many of us actually sit with their children and talk to them about anything they see on TV and discuss it with them? Dare I say very few of us do that?
A friend told me that we do not see our children except to kiss and hug them. Then off they go to sit with their nannies or, if they sit with us, we always ask them to be quiet so that we can continue chatting or watching TV.
I listened to her and thought,” You are right. We do not seem to take interest in our children’s world. They are always there to take orders from us, and we just leave them to others to take care of them, nannies, schoolteachers or siblings.”
A mother of three boys who are avid watchers of Star Academy told me, “I know it’s a silly program, but kids need some fun. Society does not provide them with much to do, so what do they do with their spare time? Can they go to clubs? No. Can they go to public libraries? No. So what are they supposed to do?
I saw her point too. What do we give our teenagers? We give them everything except the right guidance and venues to let their energy out. So if we stop Star Academy and Big Brother, will our problems end? Will we turn into a utopian society? It seems to me we are looking in the wrong direction again.
