The Television Trap

Number 12 of this series of 12:

Dear Friends

For the last time in this series we pause to consider a trap with Dr Brent A Barlow:

The Television Trap
The excessive viewing of meaningless and improper television programmes during hours that could be put to better use.

TELEVISION – The broadcasting of a still or moving image via waves to receivers that project it on a picture tube or screen for viewing at a distance from the point of origin.

There are many fine programmes that have enriched our lives as well as our marriages and families. There is so much of worth to enjoy and to learn in the world and television brings it right into our homes.

The sign Dr Barlow would like to see on every television set when it is sold:

"CAUTION: THE MISUSE OF THIS PRODUCT COULD BE HAZARDOUS TO YOUR MARRIAGE!"

1. Television can rob us of time that could and should be used in more worthwhile pursuits: talking, reading, learning, hobbies, recreation.

2. Television is instrumental in attitude formation. What messages are being sent about marriage and families?

3. Television conveys some interesting role models in marriage and family life. Television can also be highly influential in determining marital expectations. Television relationships usually end in one of the 4 D’s: divorce, desertion, disillusionment and death. Is this what you want for your marriage? How will you find out another better way if the most frequent role models you see end up this way?

4. Television makes us all, young and old alike, less sensitive to violence and pain. Question: Is the violence we see on TV contributing to the increasing violence we detect in families?

5. Television viewing disrupts family schedules. Because viewing habits differ, we end up with one or the others watching television and reduced all-together family time. Television affects the time we go to bed at night and the time we wake up in the morning in many homes. Television has likely affected our husband/wife intimate times together as well.

6. Television can sell us a life style. “Unfortunately too many people exist on a mental diet of television, motion pictures… and sick publications… I consider most of what we have available as ‘junk food’ that leads to mental malnutrition and poor emotional and spiritual health” - Dr Denis Waitley

Television is actually an extraordinary invention that should greatly improve our lives.

“Much of television exposes us to antisocial behaviour performed by the incompetent, the uncouth and the insane. At the other extreme are the superheroes with unnatural strength and superhuman abilities, who are beautiful and handsome. When average individuals compare themselves to their TV heroes, they usually see themselves as inadequate…” Dr Barlow

How to get out of THE TELEVISION TRAP
LDS Let’s Do Something… Today.

Monitor YOUR viewing times per day for a week.

If you are watching more than 4 hours per day you may be ensnared in the Television Trap.

Many of us are truly addicted to TV viewing.

Simply control your viewing. Decide what you can/should do without.

Read the television guide and decide what you are going to watch.
Watch what you decided to watch and switch the television off.

There can be an enormously exhilarating feeling of success, competence and power in simply pressing the OFF button of the television or remote...

If television viewing is difficult for you to control, you might put yourselves more often in environments where there is no television until you learn to develop more self-control.

“I am willing to bet that if television viewing were cut in half, no one would suffer markedly. That would leave us time for talking, planning, enjoying each other’s company. Most of us simply watch too much television.”

Be selective. Watch the best. All this that we may “become aware and prepared in all things”.