It will not surprise many of you to know that I severely limit TV consumption in my house. Frankly, there are few shows worth watching and the commercials are problematic (I mean, how do I explain Viagra and Cialis commercials to young children?). I am surprised to find that some of my Christian peers don’t agree. They regularly let their teens watch shows like Survivor, The Office and 30 Rock. For those of you not familiar with current TV fare, let’s just say that shows filled with sexual innuendo and adult themes (e.g. The Office and 30 Rock) or a show about people trying to scheme their way to a million dollars (Survivor) present moral situations that young impressionable teens need not be exposed to without adult guidance and direction. Even with adult supervision, most shows have little redeeming value and work against parents in teaching children Christian values.
Recently, the NBC drama, Friday Night Lights, examined the issue of abortion. Again, I’ve never watched this show in full, but the little I have seen sends up many red flags. The show, set in Texas, focuses on a high school football coach and the pressure placed upon him and his whole to team to win games every Friday night. Of course, coupled with this main premise is a focus on the usual high school drama (we all remember high school, right?).
The episode, which aired on July 9, 2010, featured a high-school aged character deciding to have an abortion and declaring it “the right thing to do.” Come again? The right thing to do? It certainly may have been the convenient thing to do or the economically feasible thing to do or even the difficult thing to do, but the right thing? No, killing an unborn child is never the right thing to do. Ever. What this show does, especially considering its popularity among teenagers, is attempt to normalize abortion and further remove the stigma attached to it (if there is even any left in our culture). What a shame. Because a really courageous story could have had the girl carry the baby to term and choose adoption. It could have been even braver in showing why teen-aged children have NO BUSINESS engaging in sexual activity because of this very consequence. Instead, it took the progressive way out and promoted this girl’s choice as “the right thing.” What a missed opportunity. The full episode can be viewed here and here.
DISCLAIMER: I have not watched this particular episode and only read on-line reviews of it. One reviewer thought the girl did not feel “okay” with her decision even though she said it was the “right thing.” I’d be interested to hear other thoughts if anyone did.
Nod of the miter to Jill Stanek for this story.
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Nerina – Do what my brother did and kick the TV to the curb. Problem solved. It was difficult for the first month, but after he took over for the lack of the TV, he was mighty glad he did. Things got better real fast. He does now have a TV, but rarely watches it. I don’t have a TV and haven’t had one for years. I don’t miss it at all. Throwing the TV out is a very drastic move, but my brother found he had a much better relationship with his kids.
Choir – we’ve often contemplated getting rid of the TV altogether, but we like to keep it around for videos and such. We don’t have cable TV and the kids really never see commercial TV. My olders watch Mystery! on PBS, though, and they really enjoy it. That’s about it. There is NO WAY I would let my kids watch “Friday Night Lights” or the other shows I’ve mentioned here.
Even better idea… do what my mum did and purchase the entire Brady Bunch DVD set. Sets you back a bit of cash but entertains for a looong time… my littler sisters have been addicted to it.