regard@ttidcc.UUCP (Adrienne Regard) (08/12/85)
>How many people now having kids were raised without TV? My family did not >have a television set until I was 13 or 14 - and even though that was quite >a while ago, it created a cultural gap. (Not that this was a problem). I noticed this as well when my daughter was 4. We did not have a TV until she reached 5, and it was interesting to note where she lacked social currency among her peers at pre-school because she didn't see the tube. Not just re popular shows, mind you, but in simple exposure to aspects of life -- she didn't know what surfing was, since she hadn't watched sun- tan lotion commercials. Probably not terribly important, but she was embarassed on occasion. It certainly didn't hurt either her or us NOT to have a TV, but I don't think it contributed any significant advantages either. She watches about two hours a day now, most of it trash. She has as much I-want-<X> based on friends as on TV advertising, and exhibits a great deal of creativity in finding things to do when the TV gets turned off. The greatest drawback we noticed is probably that sitting around, watching and snacking, encourages weight gain -- for parents and kids.