We often hear about the media and how our daughters want to emulate the people in which they see on the television screen. Would this not be a type of learned behavior because of the constant viewing of television? What ever happened to going outside to play and riding bicycles with friends? Outdoor activities and associating with friends without electronic devices such as televisions, computers, and cellular telephone should be the new trend.
As our need to watch more television increases, so does the images we allow our children to see. These images are projected into there brains, which in turn, become reality. The media has captured our daughters' attentions and refuses to release them until they are as the media gods intend them to be--vulnerable, detached and insecure. Women and men who are not naturally thin are hired to play fictitious roles are being paid millions of dollars of which most people do not possess. This type of lifestyle projected on screen makes most children want what they may not have and therefore live in a fantasized state of illusion. Why not simply turn to television off and read a book or socialize with other human being that look similar to our own
shapes and sizes.
As health educators, we must give our daughters and sons other positive alternatives to combat the images displayed on television screens. We must point out the positive attributes our children have and accentuate the positive aspect of ourselves as well. If our children constantly hear our complaining about our sizes and shapes as being inferior to other people we view, they will in turn do the same. We must applaud ourselves and become "superstars" in our own right. Encourage our children to stop looking to others and look within themselves. Health educators should encourage parents to smile at our children more often and offer encouragement. We should treat our children more like superstars by encouraging healthy diet with the occasional treat, exercise but make it a family event as well as individualized, develop close relationships and by spending more time watching the children and their activities, and by asking them if they can sign their "autographs".
I am of an opinion if we make our children the stars of our lives; however, without spoiling them, they may blossom into wonderful and healthy adults. Perhaps television needs a much needed break!
I agree with your post! When I was growing up, we went to play outside all the time. We would ride our bikes all day, go swimming, go walking down trails in the woods, and run and jump and kids today do not do those things. And we wonder why they have so many sensory issues; they do not get the physical stimulation they need. Sometimes we blame television too much for this body issues these kids develop. Yes, I completely agree that the television plays a huge role in this, however when I hear a mother talking about needing to lose weight in front of her children or say she is fat I absolutely cringe. We are putting our own issues onto them. Parents tell their children they need to lose weight all the time. So television, in my opinion is just the images the children see but the family making statement like they are fat or need to lose weight is where the true problem begins. Television needs to show more realistic images but we as adults need to change our vocabulary and images of ourselves in order to demonstrate to children the proper thinking.
ReplyDeleteKerri
Betryse,
ReplyDeleteExcellent points about the intrusion of television into the lives of children. It is important that parents remember that they set the standards for what their children see and do. If parents want to encourage their children to have healthy eating habits and lifestyles, they need to model the behavior, build their relationship with the children, and protect them from negative role models. It is often easier for parents to let the television babysit, but the extra work of becoming active with our children will provide a life time of benefits.
Linda