Number of minutes per week that parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children: 3.5
Number of minutes per week that the average child watches television: 1,680 (28 hours)
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
Number of 30-second TV commercials seen in a year by an average child: 20,000
Source
http://www.csun.edu/science/health/docs/tv&health.html
So with these few selected stats is it any wonder we have families in so much trouble. The troubling thing for me is not only the above but that our moral conscience is being formed and manipulated to conform to the norms force fed us through the various media channels.
Think of it this way 28 hours or more a week devoted to learning and discovery, training our minds and spirits to listen to our creator would bring us many of the solutions we are currently needing in our society. We would learn how to creatively solve problems, communicate effectively with each other and maybe just maybe bring the joys of being in a family back to the family.
Instead of training our children the resolve their issues through violence, manipulation, gossip etc all found in prime time viewing maybe we could have heart to heart conversations with them, pass on our love and concern and experience life first hand and not through the little glass screen.
Am I advocating the removal of TV by no means just a reduction of the amount we expose ourselves to someone else’s values that are not health for me or my family.
Here’s a thought maybe invite your neighbor round for a barbecue and get to know them as a person.
Reality Check : Is it time to take stock of your life and see how much of your life you may be loosing to TV? Life is meant to be lived and shared. Someone needs you!!!
Tags: Crime, Family, Joy, Life, Television