Television. Is it good or is it bad for children?

Winn, M.(2011). Television: The Plug - In Drug.  In S. Cohen, 50 Essays (pg. 438-447). Boston: Bedford St. Martins.

The essay "Television: The Plug - In Drug" by Marie Winn, shows us the disadvantages that television has on family life.  Now in America, over more then three fourths of the United States owns more then one television sets in their household.  With having more television sets, this led the television to be on of the most important influences in children's lives.  With more then one televisions in one household, this has lead to a decrease and diminish of family life.  Along with the damage to family life, it damages the involvement and relationships to real people while there's a one way relationship with the television show characters.  As children develop a greater relationship with the television and media, it develops a weak and separate bond from their parents.

Well in all honesty I disagree with this essay to somewhat of an extent.  True you'll lose family time watching the television, but it really doesn't mean the destruction of family life.  If you watch it with the family, then you and your family can create that family time by discussing what shows on or make jokes or just laugh together, just have a good time.  Children can be controlled by the television if there wasn't any parent or adult influence or just that connection to talk about what they watched.  I work for a before and after school childcare service and I have kids act out scenes from "Star Wars The Clone Wars" and shows like that, but that isn't bad at all.  We talk about the shows and laugh about it and it doesn't necessary destroy that interaction with real people, well unless you just locked up in a room with just the television, then yes. Television isn't bad at all, just who is enforcing the television is a different story.