Marie Winn: The Negative Influences Of Television

Marie Winn, in her essay “Television: The Plug-In Drug,” argues the negative influences of television that affects individuals and families (438-46).

Television, in recent years has influenced family rituals and began to dominate over one’s routine (442-43).

Evidence

A survey showed 78 percent of respondents did not engage in conversation while watching television (444)

Anecdote about how Television either changes or has to be accommodated into “regular” family rituals, such as eating dinner as a family (442)

Young woman on how her family gatherings have become about them all crowding around a TV (442-43)

60% of families said they watch TV while they eat dinner (445)

Brieanna- The overall statement Winn explains is that televisions have a negative influence on family rituals and individual lives. In high school, my life revolved around my dance schedule. At least five times a week I would miss out on eating dinner with my family at the dinner table. I would be eating a microwavable dinner in the car. My brother is also heavily involved in soccer and there were some days where I wouldn’t even see him. The only chance I had time to sit down and spend time with my family and talk about our day was in front of the television watching a reality TV show. Television in

Throughout my childhood, television has been an important aspect in visiting my extended family. Although we are all vastly different, them being fairly redneck versus myself from the city, television has a way of bringing us together. Common interests like baseball and hockey, are often watched on television allowing us to converse with each other on topics other than hunting and fishing. For my family, television established rituals while at the same point contributing to the social aspect of our