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"It's just easier"
There's a disturbing article in today's New York Times about how more parents are finding that it makes "more sense" (read: "is a lot less work") to plop their infants and toddlers in front of television sets to pacify them. The article cites a recent study finding that 61% of babies under one year old watch television or video every day. Parent Jennifer Beck-Wilson (an educational curriculum designer, no less) offers this half-assed justification:
"It helps with his vocabulary and with learning about morals," she said. "A part of me thinks I am being lazy, and I shouldn't be doing this, but it's just easier."
Oh, it's easier? It must be the right choice, then!
Posted by Damian Chadwick on 05/24/2006 | Permalink
Comments
A part of me thinks I am being snarky, and I shouldn't be writing this, but that woman sounds like she'd sell her kid if it would allow her to watch the finale of 24 in peace.
Posted by: Charles Star | May 25, 2006 1:45:18 AM
Nothing better than parenting advice from the childless. It's like listening to my fat uncle criticize Tom Brady.
Of course some kids watch too much TV, but unless you've walked a mile in a frazzled parent's shoes, I'd maybe ease off on the snarky indignation, Mr. Chadwick.
Posted by: Ellmore Blitz | May 26, 2006 6:01:25 PM
I'd maybe ease off the assumptions about people, Mr. Blitz, until you know what you're talking about.
I've walked many miles in a frazzled parent's shoes -- I have several pairs of them, quite worn from walking around with and at one time carrying around MY DAUGHTER.
This isn't about "some kids watching too much TV", it's about parents who use "frazzled" as a rationale for doing something they know quite well (as this woman admits she does) isn't good for their young children. It's about setting some fucking priorities and not short-changing your child's development for your own convenience.
Posted by: Damian Chadwick | May 26, 2006 6:28:27 PM
You make some excellent points.
Posted by: Ellmore Blitz | May 27, 2006 4:01:11 PM
I don't have children yet though I am expecting one in the next few weeks. My fiance and I have discussed the TV thing and though he's completely against the baby watching any TV, I figure I'll be the one taking care of her most of the time, if it let's me sit on my ass and rest for long enough to catch a breath I'll do it. We don't have cable so watching TV is pretty boring anyways and if I just leave it on PBS, we may both get to simultaneously nap. I guess when I was a kid I watched a shitload of TV. I was up at 4 on saturdays waiting for the goodness that was saturday morning cartoons. It didn't stunt my intelligence. I do agree though that letting television babysit your kids isn't very proactive for their development nor does it allow parent-child bonding (unless you're curled up in your dad's arms crying because you can't figure out what the deal is with Hamburger Hill). Just like everything else, moderation is key.
Posted by: OccultJam | May 27, 2006 10:35:53 PM
