On what our children get from TV

[G_j]

There is one thing about the Janet Jackson uproar that bothers me, and it's not what happened at half time.

Ever since Bush attacked Afghanistan and later Iraq, I've been concerned over the messages our children have been getting. The administration fully supported and helped by the media has been beating the drums of war and setting a horrific example for the youngest in our culture. The three Rs can now more accurately be described as Revenge, Retribution and Retaliation.

Our children have been exposed to constant promotion of real violence as a means to "solving problems". Of course a child's mind ponders what happens in war and that children just like themselves or parents just like their own get blown to bits in war. I've said from the beginning that this is child abuse on a massive scale. This is an incredibly dangerous blind spot. In a healthy society this is what parents would be concerned about.

The live coverage of the bombardment of Baghdad makes Janet's little exposure seem meaningless by comparison. It's a very sick joke. And I don't think the hypocrisy of this is lost on most kids either.

[proud patriot]

1. Did you see the Moveon ad "what are we teaching our children?"

Chilling

[G_j]

2. I guess I missed that one

I will look for it at their website. Thanks for the heads up.
This has been one of my pet peeves and I don't even have kids of my own.

[proud patriot]

3. Yes look for it

it was one of the finalists along with "childs play"
which is the winner , I just saw it again on CNN about
5 minutes ago .

[salinen]

4. There are so many "adults" who

have never reached adulthood - your thesis also applies to that group.

[G_j]

5. that is really what it boils down to

the folks "in charge" are seriously lacking in maturity and make for the worst possible role models. Top that off with absolute arrogance and the chest thumping "might is right" scenario.

If these folks had even a speck of a clue they would be saying "don't follow me, I'm lost"

But oh yes, the adults are in charge now. :puke:

[G_j]

6. very powerful !

here's the link:

What are we teaching our children? by Fred Surr, Ted Page, Janet Tashjian

http://www.bushin30seconds.org/view/06_small.shtml

[Stone_Spirits]

7. the decision to go to war

is generally made by men and brings death and destruction.
Women's breasts nurture babies.

What are people most concerned about?

That's gotta say something about our deranged culture.

[Karenina]

8. What children get from television

(the drug of the nation). Short attention spans. Infected with the disease of consumerism before they can read. Sedentary lifestyles. Exposed to a LOT of violence... hmmm...

[G_j]

9. & you can add eating disorders to that

...of course I was focusing on the 'all war all the time' television we were treated to recently, but the severely warped reality of TV in general is alarming in that kids spend more time in front of the tube than ever before.

[G_j]

10. this article I just came across says it pretty well

http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0203-10.htm

Protecting the Purity of American Children or What Exactly is Obscene?
by Brigitte Schön

<snip>
It is not considered obscene if American children watch other children without limbs, amidst rubble, without any relatives in Middle East or Central Asian countries.

It is not considered obscene to watch children on TV who are starving.

It is not considered obscene to be showered with violence on TV or to play violent computer games.

It is not considered obscene to hear about minors on death row in certain US states.

None of the above seems to be viewed as something that might deeply disturb American children.

But if American children can get a glimpse of a naked breast, they are bound to be damaged for the rest of their lives, to judge from the reactions in America.

<snip>
Many European parents think on the other hand that their children might get damaged by violence on TV or in computer games, they might get damaged growing up in a world full of aggression and injustice, they might get damaged in a world where the poor are left to die.

So right now a lot of us are somewhat bewildered: What do American adults expect t happen when a child sees a naked breast? What kind of terrible damage are they afraid of? What incredible unspeakable trauma will occur which surely must outdo everything else an American child is subjected to in his or her life?

That they might one day find a female breast more interesting than waving their flag maybe?