By: Jenna Morrison
Updated: December 18, 2015
Originally Published: May 19, 2015
You know what? I’ve finally come to terms with the idea that enjoying television is perfectly okay. Contrary to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ stance on screen time—especially for the under-twos—I can’t help but think that those crafting these guidelines may not have spent an entire day wrangling a lively toddler.
But let’s talk about the older kids—those savvy enough to navigate the complexities of our remote controls and select their own shows. Throughout my life, I’ve heard the lament that as a society, we watch too much TV, yet I wholeheartedly disagree. Television is a treasure, and I’ll champion its merits until my last breath. Sure, there’s a lot of junk out there, and not all shows are suitable for kids, teens, or even adults. But TV is a wondrous realm, a box full of stories and magic.
I often joke that TV was part of my upbringing. No offense to my parents, but it undeniably shaped my worldview. I’ll admit it without shame—”Star Trek” changed the game for me emotionally and intellectually. I eagerly absorbed episodes of classics like “M*A*S*H,” “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” and “The Twilight Zone.” Shows like “The Brady Bunch” and “WKRP in Cincinnati” were like companions, guiding me through childhood and into the tumultuous teenage years.
Let’s not forget the guilty pleasures I indulged in—shows I knew were terrible but still enjoyed, like “The Facts of Life” and “The Love Boat.” I even tuned into a soap opera or two. Despite knowing the formulas behind these programs, I didn’t feel dumbed down by them. They were stories, and I savored them.
Now, we are in a golden era of television. Renowned filmmakers are creating remarkable series, offering a vast array of content that’s more accessible than ever. My kids aren’t held hostage by programming schedules like we once were; they can skip commercials thanks to platforms like TiVo, Netflix, and Hulu.
My children understand that what they see on screen isn’t reality—just as they know the world isn’t populated by demigods from reading “Percy Jackson.” My daughter, at seven, has developed a fascination with “The Brady Bunch,” while my eleven-year-old son has recently discovered “The X-Files.” They enjoy shows tailored for their generation as well as classics and even indulge in cooking competitions on the Food Network. When my son expressed a desire to live in the charming town from “Gilmore Girls,” my heart swelled with pride. They have a wide variety of viewing choices, and as long as their selections are reasonable (which rules out both “Dora” and anything featuring Adam Sandler), I often join them.
Television expands their horizons, introducing them to worlds beyond our small town. While I occasionally remind them to get up and move after an extended viewing session, I will never tell them that watching TV is a problem. Because it’s not. TV is fantastic, and I won’t pretend otherwise.
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