Essay: Influence of Television

Television is a form of media that has great ability to influence and brainwash the viewing
public. The talking box in ones living room has assumed the overpowering role it plays today
as a result of the weakness of society. This may seem like a negative view but a societys
strength is based on the relationships between people and when so much time is spent away
from others and together with the media, the actions that take place are often times a reflection
of what television presents. In President Clintons speech, he brings forth this very point and he
acknowledges the familys increasing weakness and calls on all people to bring back the values
of the past and stop the media from playing such a huge role in our community. The
overwhelming influence of the media is a constant threat to the maintenance of traditional family
values and to the protection of our childrens future. Nevertheless, television cannot be changed
for it is too big and powerful but compromises can be made that can strengthen society and help
keep certain values protected.

Over the past decades, people have less and less time in their hands due to careers, divorces
and the constant struggle for success. This unfortunately, is resulting in parents spending less
time with their children, which is an important responsibility that no one or nothing can replace.
President Clinton said, television may be the third parent, but it cant be the first or the
second(Clinton, p.173). The focus on parental responsibility(Clinton, p.174) is what is
important and parents must ensure that their children are raised in a controlled and safe
environment. The media has more access to children(Clinton, p.172) then ever before, and
it can develop certain bad habits, patterns and subconscious actions if the individual is too weak
to fight its affect. Therefore, parents must spend more time with their children, otherwise, the
old values will slowly slip away and new ones, established by television, will take their place for
good.

Television has incredible power. In a society where money signifies success and influence,
television has taken its place among the most prosperous of businesses. Television cannot be
attacked because it can and has successfully stood up to all sorts of challenges. The solution of
changing its role in society lies within man himself. Television, despite many negative aspects,
has much to offer. It is a great tool for learning, communication and for information. Attacking
television may deprive us of such benefits therefore this trend must be approached with more
conversation and less combat(Clinton, p.173). Instead of criticizing, we should look for
alternatives that, in the long run, will benefit society. Just as televisions bad influence has
settled in slowly in our community, it can slowly be filtered out with time, patience and most
importantly with everyones cooperation.

We, society, are responsible for making television a threat to traditional values and future
generations. It is our duty, as a population, to work together to steer away from the tube to the
values that will strengthen society. Step by step, this can be done and the future will get
brighter in the long run.