Is Television Ruining America?

970 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Psychological effects of television on children

Television has long been a part of American culture. From its conception until today there have been people who believe that television is a waste of time and energy and there have been those in the opposite camp who believe that television should be a part of every American life. There is also a middle ground of people who watch television to keep informed on what’s happening in the world as well as entertained by the latest sitcom, or more popularly today, reality show. In this middle ground, the amount of television watched is moderate, sometimes just turning on the set to catch tomorrow’s weather or the latest sports score, other times sitting down for an extended period. Those in the middle ground don’t believe that television is a total waste of time, but neither is television the main part of their day. These are the folks who remain active and healthy. They are the people who realize that, while there are certainly some negative effects of television, television is not all bad. In the articles from To The Point (Muller and Wiener, 2009), there are some differing points of view. Karen Springen, in the article Why We Tuned Out, (Muller and Wiener, 2009, p. 293-296) explains that her family has made the decision to not allow their children to watch television at all. She also does not allow them to watch movies or videos. She states that, “without tv our daughters spend more time doing cartwheels, listening to stories and asking interesting questions.” (Springen, 2009. p. 293) She cites some very good evidence as to the link between television viewing and obesity, aggressiveness, and slow learning. These things make it look like she is really doing her kids a favor. But is she? The reality is that maybe her kids do g... ... middle of paper ... ...ision viewing. This gives a “best of both worlds” approach to television and media. It leaves people knowledgeable about the world around them and the current trends, as well as giving them free time to spend being active. Going to the extreme, either for or against television, is really not the best way to live in our media-reliant world. The middle ground is the best place to be in our drive to be constantly in touch with the world around us. Works Cited Muller, G.H. and Wiener, H.S. (2009). To the point: Reading and writing short arguments. New York: Pearson Education, Inc Sherwood, C. (2011). The effects of teasing on children. Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/509026-the-effects-of-teasing-on-children/?vm=r Judge orders boys held in Arkansas shooting. Retrieved October 3, 2011, from http://www.cnn.com/US/9803/26/school.shooting/?vm=r

Show More
Related

  • The Presentation Of Gender Stereotypes In The Jetsons

    2263 Words  | 5 Pages

    In North American culture, watching television is as much part of regular life as eating supper. In an age

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Rhetorical Elements of Political Campaign Advertisements

    1054 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ramage, John D., John C. Bean, and June Johnson. Writing Arguments: A Rhetoric with Readings. 9th ed. Boston: Pearson Education, 2012. Print.

    Read More

  • The 1950's: A Deacde of Progress and Change in America

    1025 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many of the technological advancements in entertainment helped people live a much happier and exciting life. The television was wanted by almost every average American family in this decade and overwhelmed millions of baby-boomer children who’s relationship with TV has influenced the United States’ culture and politics. Television

    Read More

  • Barbara Ehrenreich's The Worst Years Of Our Lives

    665 Words  | 2 Pages

    As many people know modern television produces many good and bad consequences to the viewer. However, as a whole, the positive effects of TV clearly out weight the negative ones. In Barbara Ehrenreich’s passage, The Worst Years of Our Lives, she asserts that what’s being televised, immobilizes the viewer from actually doing the activities portrayed on TV. Yet, all the events on television have been imitated from what is going on in real life. Television is not something that drains a person from everyday activities, but something that encourages them to try new ones and escape the crazy, stressful moments of life. Not only is TV something that exemplifies new hobbies that can be taken on, but it is also a moment where a family can come together and laugh at all those funny moments in Full House and The Simpsons. Lastly, and possibly most importantly it informs people on what’s going on around

    Read More

  • An Analysis of the Media and Culture Issues of Society

    3042 Words  | 7 Pages

    The United States is the biggest economical power in the world today, and consequently has also the strongest and largest media industry. Therefore, it is essential to take a look at the crucial relationship between the media and the popular culture within the social context of the United States for a better understanding of the issue. For a simpler analysis of the subject we shall divide the media industry into three main branches: Entertainment, News and Commercials (which is the essential device for the survival of the industry, and shall be considered in integration with Entertainment). Researches have shown that the most popular reason behind TV viewing is relaxation and emptying the mind.

    Read More

  • Marie Winn: The Negative Influences Of Television

    1467 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects of Television in American Homes

    604 Words  | 2 Pages

    Throughout the years, television has altered the lives of many American families in a number of ways. When television was first invented, it brought entertainment and togetherness into the homes of many Americans. However, during the course of years, television has caused turmoil in many American homes. Television has led to families being disconnected from one another and has caused a lack in family unity and tradition. It is crucial to ensure that a family maintains their togetherness and interaction with one another. However, many American families are so consumed into the depths of the unparallel force of the television universe that they have become unconscious and blind sighted by the harmful effects that television has caused them.

    Read More

  • Watching Television: Social Stereotype

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    In spite of the social stereotype that watching TV is bad there are many advantages of TV which either people don't care or don't want to care. But the fact is either people love or hate TV they cannot avoid it and it keeps on playing the major role in their life as a mass communication media, entertainer and education provider. The new generation of the TV is the smart TVs which even simplifies the three aspects gaming, web surfing and watching TV and they are eye friendly as well which only keeps on making it better. It is not wrong to say that TV is the major weapon to be in touch with the new technology and the things that are going around the world before being left behind.

    Read More

  • The Negative Effect of Television on American Children

    984 Words  | 2 Pages

    Television has been in American Society since 1920’s and has gradually been spreading around the world. Television is like a drug in American Society, it is addictive to all ages including children. It has the most effect on children that are young and do not know anything about television. As children grow older they focus more in watching shows and playing video games for many hours.“Kids and teens 8 to 18 years spend nearly 4 hours a day in front of a TV screen and almost 2 additional hours on the computer (outside of schoolwork) and playing video games.” (How) This is bad for children because if they spend almost 6 hours just in mass media. Then the question of how much time will they spend in doing task that might benefit their body and their physical aspect of life.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of Watching Too Much Tv

    1074 Words  | 3 Pages

    Before television existed people had to depend on Radio stations to receive their little bit of entertainment and news. But in 1878, the invention of TV began. The first TV made didn’t look anything like the way TV’s look today. It was a mechanical camera with a large spinning disc attached to it (Kids Work). But as over the years, of course, inventions of different TV’s progressed and by the 20th century about 90 percent of our population had a TV in their household (MGHR). Television today is mainly used for people take a break from their life by relaxing and enjoying some entertainment.

    Read More

  • Television Influence Essay

    1124 Words  | 3 Pages

    Television is an invention that has revolutionized the way people think, comprehend and receive information. Although television in today’s world is not the leading media source, however it still remains to be a prime example of media influenced outlet of information. Television over the course of the past few decades has intertwined its way into society’s day to day operation and will remain to influence people’s decisions.

    Read More

  • Television and Its Impacts on Society

    1159 Words  | 3 Pages

    Over the last forty to fifty years, television has been a major topic of discussion. Specifically, many debate societal benefits to television watching. One widely accepted opinion is that watching TV makes people dumber. People have referred to it with terms like the “idiot box” and do not feel that watching TV has any benefit at all. They feel that it is a waste of time and people need to spend their hours more wisely. Others are of the opinion that TV is actually has societal benefits. From this perspective, they claim that the development of the structure of the programs now requires one to intellectually participate in watching television. Essentially, the argument is whether TV is a beneficial societal force or is it simply a convenient, yet detrimental, outlet for entertainment.

    Read More

  • The Effects of Violence in Children Cartoons

    2392 Words  | 5 Pages

    Television is everywhere these days, not just in our living rooms but in bathrooms, kitchens, doctor's offices, grocery stores, airplanes, and classrooms. We have access to TV virtually anywhere and as American's we are taking advantaged of it. Adults aren't the only ones watching TV; children today are watching more TV than ever before. TV has even become known as "America's baby-sitter." (Krieg). Meaning that parents are now using the television as a way of entertaining their children while they attempt to accomplish other things such as cooking and cleaning.

    Read More

  • Comic Studies and Television

    1152 Words  | 3 Pages

    The history of television is a long one, but shows how it has been widely accepted into our everyday lives. Television has had a huge effect on the United States, shaping multiple facets of everyday life such as politics, news, and sports. In an article titled “History of Television” written by Mitchell Stephens, a professor of journalism and mass communications at NYU, he states that, “Few inventions have had as much effect on contemporary American society as television. Before 1947 the number of U.S. homes with television sets could be measured in the thousands. By the late 1990s, 98 percent of U.S. homes had at least one television set, and those sets were on for an average of more than seven hours a day” (Stephens 1). It is clear that television has had a huge impact on our everyday lives. In addition, television generally consumes a large portion of each day of our lives. It is unrealistic to assume that television has not taken a serious and large position in the everyd...

    Read More

  • The Pros and Cons of Children Watching Television

    1590 Words  | 4 Pages

    Television since its invention has come to be an influential part of the everyday life. The question that is presented now is if television is in fact a positive or negative factor in the lives of those who watch it. One side of the debate in favor in the usage of television says that television is something that can be used to educate and improve lives.  The opposing side to this debate claims that television does little more than numb the mind and creates habits that harm the body. I believe that while television may have some positive benefits when put to good use, but downsides of television use outweigh any possible benefits as it can be detrimental to not only the mind but the body. The potential that television has to do harm is not only limited to those in one culture but in all places and age groups.

    Read More

More about Is Television Ruining America?

Open Document