Monica Thomas

Things have changed since I was a child and quite a bit. My mother was a stay at home mom and she saw me off to school and she was home with a snack and dinner in the evening. She made sure that our homework was done before we were able to watch TV or even go out to play. Mom also supervised what we watched on TV and approved everything that you brought in the house from clothing to toys. What happened to those days?

Today’s parents allow children to raise themselves and at a grave penalty I might add—literally. Children spend an alarming amount of time watching TV, playing video games, and surfing the net and these are in fact the experiences that our children are learning from. Now we as parents are upset with the media and marketers because of the things that our children are exposed to.

Parents have turned over their parenting rights to the media and the marketers but now you want to control them by telling them what they can show on TV or sell in their stores. Stop for a moment and think about it*********. You can’t even control your children who live in your home so how dare you tell the media and marketer how to make their money. Your first priority as parents should be to teach your children morals and values and right from wrong.

I agree that every effort should be made on the part of the media, game makers, marketers and all others who are responsible for shaping and molding the positive experiences of our youth. Yes there should be set times when certain programs are aired on television and maybe there should be age restrictions placed on certain apparel. Yet with all of this being in place there are no substitutions for proper guidance and supervision among children; parents are still required.

Do you know what media your kids or grandkids are consuming?

Graphic Credit:
Sabrina Segal