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HERE WE GO AGAIN: WHAT CAN WE GAIN FROM [ANOTHER]
TV TUNEOUT? (continued)
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© 1997 BY DR. JEANNE BECKMAN
How do you know what values or moral lessons a
particular show teaches? Even though the "experts" may say a program is
for children, these experts may be biased or may represent different values than those
held by your family.
In part, a parent needs to learn to trust his or her
instincts. What is your first reaction to what the character is doing or
saying? Ask yourself if the actors, whether cartoon or real, are behaving in an
honest, ethical or fair way. If what you feel is a basically good show has a
character who occasionally says or does something dishonest or unfair, then you as the
parent should jump in and comment on what you just saw.
For example, the "Wishbone" show on channel
11 is generally a good program for age 8 and older children. However, in one
episode, a little girl had found her neighbor's purse and wanted to keep it. Her
brother convinced her that she had to return it. Finally the girl agreed to return
it, but at the last minute, the dog Wishbone picked up the purse and the neighbor
discovered it in the dog's mouth. The little girl said "Bad Wishbone, you took
the purse." No one on the show spoke up, allowing the girl to get away with
dishonesty in blaming someone else for her behavior. I found myself jumping in and
telling my children, "That's wrong! She shouldn't blame someone else for what
she did. She should have admitted that she found the purse and that she's
sorry." My reaction was not premeditated nor planned. This concept of
"seizing the teachable moment" is an important one. You cannot plan for
these moments.
Here is a technique to help you get started.
First, try to recognize your "gut level" feelings (Recognize)
about what you just saw or heard. Second, jump in and tell your children why you
don't like what the actor said or did, (React). Third, answer the
questions that your children ask about your comments (Respond). We
talk about the 3 "Rs" in teaching, but these three R's, "Recognize,
React, and Respond," apply to behaviors and situations you and your children see in
the real world as well as on TV.
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