to good old family television? Now I consider myself a very open-minded person, but I have a beef with the lack of family shows these days. Thad and I were discussing this the other night. Remember all the good shows we grew up on? Family Ties, Growing Pains, Who's the Boss, The Brady Bunch, Little House on the Prairie, Facts of Life, and The Cosby Show were shows that I watched weekly. That may seem like a lot of television, but they were good shows. Each episode taught me something. They were appropriate for me to watch. They were funny. Why is this so hard to replicate in the 21st century?
There aren't any shows (that I can think of) out there today that a) are good, b) have your standard nuclear family, and c) are appropriate for the entire family to watch. I have no problem with single parent households, gay couples raising kids, or any of that. It's reality. But is it so wrong to have a show on television--network television--to promote this?
Let's take the Disney Channel for example. They are geared toward young kids or 'tweens' if you will. The problem is that the acting is horrible, the kids are constantly undermining one another, being rude and disrespectful to adults, and seem to have no point.
Last year we tried to watch a tv show together as a family. The only show we found was The Cosby Show...on TV LAND!
I want my kids to have their Elise Keaton, Cliff Huxtable, Mike and Carol Brady, Charles Ingalls, Mrs. Garrett to look up to. They loved their children dearly, yet had rules, expectations, and even consequences for poor decisions. I loved Mallory, Alex, Blair, Mike, Carol, Laura, Marsha, Jan, and Cindy. I also loved those parents. It's a shame that my kids don't have that at all.
These are just my two cents, and I am curious to know if any of you out there have found a decent show. For now I will stick to enjoying (by myself no less) The Hills (even though I gave it up when LC left), Sex and the City (awesome show, but not for kids) reruns, Larry King Live, and any other pointless show.
16 comments:
Yeah, I hate TV and I let my kids watch WAY too much.
Example: Laney asking me if I was "texting my boyfriend" the other day. Mind you, I have never used the word texting with her.
CeCe said she learned it from iCarly.
Fabulous.
I'm SO with you on this one, Bonnie. There isn't anything appropriate that our entire family can enjoy. iCarly drives me insane, and I'm getting really tired of Spongebob (although at least the humor in that show appeals to both kids and adults). In fact, I can't think of one single family sitcom on network TV these days, unless you count Two and a Half Men, but the family unit and relationships aren't really the center of that show. I have three seasons of Facts of Life on DVD, as well as 4 of Little House on the Prairie, and my kids love them.
I actually record the Brady Bunch and my kids love it. You are so right and I have wondered myself. We also have a few Little House on the Prairie and some of The Waltons. The message in these shows still applies today. I seriously can't think of one show like this on television today.
I so agree! I can't stand iCarly and Hannah Montana (Noah and Ethan's current favorite). The kids are disrespectful and mean to eachother with no consequences. Wizzards of Waverly Place is OK, if you can get past the voice of one of the girls.
We don't have tv in our house. This goes for video games also. NONE!! If we want change in the world we need to be that example, that may be harsh for some. Imagine what you could get done if you had all the time back to do something useful with that you watched tv with. My children read a lot of books. They use their imagination and play their own games in and outside.
I find that more and more parents want out children to play with theirs? I wonder why that is?
Matt Schweitzer
I don't understand why you are ok with children being raised by gays or even single parents? How can we get people to understand commitment again? That it is not ok to quit their marriage. A child that my son plays with is in public school and he is one of three kids in his grade whose parents are not divorced!! That is terrible. If this continues the next generation will not even bother to get married. Just amagine the lack of morals you will see on tv then. So back to my original question, why is it ok with YOU to see gays and single people raising children on tv?
Matt Schweitzer
Matt I realize that by answering this, I am really only throwing kindling to the fire. No answer I will give you will be good enough. If it doesn't match your beliefs, I will be wrong. I do not like sounding that way, but those are my feelings.
Today at church, my priest discussed how this is Respect Life month. He discussed divorce, abortion, abuse and other things that hurt people, children, families, etc. He went on to say that he wasn't judging anyone who has had a divorce, abortion, or abused someone. He asked us not to either, because God does not want us to judge.
He then spoke of how From Now On...we could make positive changes in our lives and the lives of others.
Why do I mention this? Because I am not judging what is out there. I would not tell my children they could not watch a show that had a single parent or same sex parents. It's reality. I can't shield my kids from reality. Oh I can try, but reality will find them.
My blog post was simply that it's funny how the old shows from my childhood were a little more traditional, and that those aren't out there anymore.
My kids play outside for hours on end, play make believe, read a lot, and yes, watch tv. I did the same Matt.
A classroom with only three married families is a shame Matt. It is a shame. I can only hope that there is unconditional love in those homes. Being a traditional married couple isn't going to guarantee happiness, stability, and good values any more than another household I'm afraid.
AMEN Bonnie- I don't want to start a problem, but why are divorced parent imoral? I grew up in a house hold where the parents stuc together because divorce was "bad" yet went to bed EVERY night praying they'd get a divorce, so I could get peace and have an actual childhood. Also, I've learned you really can't judge people unless you spend time in their shoes. Glass Houses.
Also, I am not disturbed that children are being raised by single parents or gays on TV- it's the blatent disrespect of the child actors on TV and how evening shows show more gore than I could imagine as a child and flaunt sex.
I miss the days of the Cosby Show! We watched it all the time! Full House was another good one. Our kids will watch that if they see that it is on.
Tami
Very well said Bonnie. Most same sex couples I know are more commited than most heterosexual couples I know. Spouses can pass away leaving only one parent to raise the children. Like you said, who are we to judge. It's too bad TV shows do not focus on life's lessions like they used to.
-Stephanie
Bonnie-Well said, you have a way with words my friend! I don't understand why one would feel that sexual preference dictates what kind of parent you are. I agree, I wish there were more shows similar to what we grew up with. Emily love, love, loves full house!! We also watch a lot of Little House on the Prairie.
Jenay
I don't see how you think you are starting a fire by answering a question, you asked in your blog what other peoples thoughts are. Perhaps the way I asked it made you beleive I thought one way? Sorry for that. Your answer is not wrong it is your reality based off the things you have learned in your life. Yet there is nothing wrong with being WRONG that is how we all learn. We have to make mistakes to move forward and grow in life. I know I will make mistakes and tomorrow and become a better person for it, if I can learn from them. Why we choose not to watch tv is because the information on there is not what we want to influence our minds and thoughts. It is not even sometimes the show as it is the commercials and what is on them. The disrespect of ones own body. Not wanting my children to focus on that, because life is like a camera, what we focus on you will develope.
As to Respect Life month, we should do that everyday.
God Bless
Matt Schweitzer
I've thought about this lately as well since Kate will be entering an age where most kids start watching TV. Thus far, she's had about zero interest in watching anything other than some "Signing Time" videos. No idea what will be even decent toddler shows for her?
~R
p.s. Making judgments is what life's all about. Making judgments for other people infringes on personal liberty. This doesn't mean, however, that there aren't clear better ways to do things just that there are usually multiple ways to make things work (thought I was going to leave that alone for a minute didn't you ;)
I agree on the limited amount of shows available. Lucy watches almost everything at her dads and we have very limited time during the week so we don't watch much yet (she is only 2!) I loved all the oldies especially Facts of life and Family ties...oh the good ole days. Don't even get me started on the single parent comment because I'm still recovering from surgery and it gets me so worked up I could hurt myself!
I like PBS and Disney because they don't have commercials. Also, we have DVR so I can record Dora and Diego (Nick chn./has commercials).
As far as "real people" shows. Can't think of any good ones. I'd like to DVR Little House - what channel is it on everyone?
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