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From: stern@steinmetz.UUCP (Harold A. Stern)
Newsgroups: net.kids
Subject: Re: kids without TV
Message-ID: <252@steinmetz.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 19-Aug-85 15:54:47 EDT
Article-I.D.: steinmet.252
Posted: Mon Aug 19 15:54:47 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 29-Aug-85 22:26:44 EDT
References: <545@tekigm.UUCP> <5713@cbscc.UUCP>
Reply-To: stern@kbsvax.UUCP (Harold A. Stern)
Organization: GE CRD, Schenectady, NY
Lines: 31
Summary: 

Article 179 of net.kids:
> [INSERT 300 LINES ABOUT THE HORRORS OF TELEVISION]

   As one of the youngest readers of this group, I feel qualified
to comment on the effects of television on kids, since I was one more
recently than most of you. I grew up in a house with two television
sets, and, believe it or not, I AM NOT A VEGETABLE! nor are my brothers 
and sisters, nor are the vast majority of my friends (although I cannot vouch
for the sanity of ALL of them, I attribute this more to the horrors
of Long Island suburbia than anything else). So most of the stuff on the 
box is trash. So what? How many of you mothers out there read Harlequin
Romances? Or the New York Post? the National Enquirer? People Magazine?
Would you say that your brains are slowly turning into fried zucchini?
   I consider myself a fairly intelligent person, and I LIKE TO WATCH
TV! I find it very relaxing after a day at the office, or in class, to
watch for an hour or so. Even MTV, that corrupter of American civilization.
   Kids CAN learn how to read, even if the do grow up in a house infested
with television sets. Try keeping a newspaper or two on the kitchen table.
It doesn't even have to be the New York Times. Or try to associate reading
with a reward instead of punishment. Rather than forcing the kid to read, 
how 'bout: "ok, I'll let you stay up late, if you're reading?" My parents
were 3-for-3 with this one - a nite-lite over the bed helps, too - that
way, he can "sneak" a book or two.

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PS: Have you ever heard of CNN?