Posted by Hov at proxy.caris.com on May 02, 2002 at 12:49:26:
In Reply to: i agree with you yet again posted by DRD #37 on May 02, 2002 at 12:40:35:
: You really sound like a good parent, and I agree with what you're saying. But the one thing that I disagree with is that violence on the news and violence on fictional television programs is different. If they show something on a fictional program that is violent/sexual/etc., it's totally glorified, making it seem as if violence, promiscuous sex, and foul language are good things. If a young person understands and grew up with the knowledge that it's all made up and that, in real life, violence is terrible, unsafe sex spreads diseases, and certain types of language can be very offensive, then I say let 'em watch whatever they want. But, on CNN/MSNBC/etc., they show violence and events that actually took place, and it's not glorified at all. Most of the time, violence on the news is seen in a darker light, displaying the message that it's terrible and saddening, which is the right message to send to people, especially the young.
: And you're right - communication, no matter what form it may be in, is always key to a successful parent-child relationship, or any kind of relationship, for that matter.
I won't allow my son to watch anything that is out of line, when it comes to violence, drugs or sex or things along that nature....until he reaches and age where he has a sense of what is right and what is wrong, then gradually this will back off and I'll allow him to see more of the "real World" CNN type stuff and mroe of the "Jay and silent Bob, terminator:" type stuff....
And then the communication begins all over again on these new subject and how "rigth and wrong" they are and what they mean to society and to him as a person...and on and on...I mean as anybody that's been on here for any amount of time can realize...I have no problem communicating....so he'l know about all of the violece in the world and all of the bad things and he'll have the right opinions about such matters, but not at the age of 8....well then again maybe depends on how mature he is for his age.