Television is one of the most important inventions by mankind. It brings people of all races, color, and background together to share their joy, anguish, and success by simply touching a button. This enables people to bond. However, the over use of television amounts to abuse of television (Halloran 22). While proper use of television is educative, informative, and entertaining, television can be very addictive to both the young and the old. Addiction of television has been a subject of concern to many. This is because it has replaced key relationships in our lives. The evening times that were once assumed to be for family bonding are now a thing of the past as it has been taken over by television programmes (Wober 36).
They say that particularly children learn very fast. Given their inability to adequately judge right from wrong, they have been quick to adopt the cultures of the Television celebrities. Family traditions and cultures have become almost impossible to be passed on to the next generation. Instead, a homogenous television culture has been embraced. Children do not comprehensively experience family relationship and development since their parent’s attention is consumed by the television programmes. As a result, family relationship is deterred or strained. Most people have televisions in their homes for not only receiving news but most importantly as a tool to relax. This mode of relaxation has caused many to keep off from friends and family interactions or engagement. People have subliminally withdrawn from key relationships given that the television has been able to fill that void. Entertainment programs on television have been used to ease a nerve-racking day (Wober 44). Television has also been assumed to provide answers to people’s problems. This is mostly with reference to television soap operas whereby people get to identify themselves with the people in the soap operas including the actors or actresses’ problems and solutions. While talking about your problems to your family and friends is championed by psychologists, the television has taken over whereby it provides superficial and sometimes impracticable answers (Halloran 68-69).
Studies confirmed that too much television affects the levels of intimacy in the family since the time that would have been spent in nurturing relationships is spent on watching television. More so, given the power that the television has in creating moments of happiness, reducing pain, and even taking away moments of loneliness and boredom, people do not make an effort to enhance family unions or friendships. However, these solutions that are provided by television are sometimes imaginary and short-lived. Life’s problems are a puzzle; they require intensive rapport and continual resolving to finally achieve an ultimate solution. Above all the television does not provide emotional feedback compared to another person (Silverstone 53-54). On the other hand, if television is well used, it can be a very important tool for communication. For instance, the soap operas are said to be representation of the life that we live. They always have moral stories. Parents can record these programs and use them to teach their children particularly in areas of communication and relationships with other people. Teaching their children will enhance their relationship (Wober 65).
Alternatively one can encourage commenting on the programs, in terms of setting of the film, actors, and directing of film. Even if what is being aired is just commercial, the creativity of the commercial can create a very interesting topic. This conversation amongst friends and family creates room of understanding one another and also bonding with one another. Therefore Television viewing amongst friends and family can equally be fun and forges mutual relationships. Given that television is central to any form of entertainment in our homes. It is important for people to deliberately create time for other forms of entertainment with friends and family. Picnics are good for family and friends. Other activities that could be used in place of television viewing are family swimming day, and organizing a party, encouraging friends and family to form or join a book club. Book clubs create special relationships amongst its members. Emotional stability and availability is central to everyone’s welfare. It is healthy to have and maintain good relationships with family and friends. These relationships cannot be replaced by Television. Television can speak to you, but you cannot answer back. Even if there are situation where television celebrities provide ways for you to interact, they are only but living on the fast lane, they can never have true relationship with you but superficial (Silverstone 72-75).
In conclusion, television is a very important element in our houses. It gives us news about what is happening all over the world. It enables us to be in line with the ever growing technological world and moreover enables the whole continent to share their emotions and resolve problems in unison. These strengths cannot be overlooked. It is important for everyone to learn to plan his or her time, to realize that family and friends are very important people in one’s life. Drifting through life with little regards to one’s emotions and using the television to temporarily shadow one’s anguish is a quick resolution that does not last. Therefore, it is important for everyone to remember the danger of abuse of television.
Work cited
Halloran, D. J. The effects of television. New York: SAGE. 1970.
Silverstone, R. Television and everyday life; New York: Routledge. 1994.
Wober, M. J. The use and abuse of television: a social psychological analysis of the changing
screen. New York: Erlbaum. 1988.
