The curse of the one-eyed monster
A common saying heard by us is how there are two sides to every coin. Nowadays, satellite culture, especially watching Hindi serials has made social relationships less interesting. Watching the endless run of Hindi TV serials has come to occupy the majority slot in homes; there is less talking among family members; these are corrupting young minds, and really not fit for children. As soon as it is dusk, through prime time serials till late night, banal serials attract many viewers. Women, who comprise the majority of these viewers, are not only bound to buy sumptuous ornaments and dresses like those adorned in these serialsby the prime women characters, but also adopt their unrealistic behavioural patterns.
TV watching is leading to a situation where husband and wife find no time to discuss their children’s future, or fortifying their own relationship. The elders and seniors in the family too feel neglected since there is nobody to talk to. They too have a TV for company. If you call on any of your close relatives or friends during the afternoon, to have a chat with them, mostly you will find them in their homes engrossed in some channel, happily ignoring your presence. The gap is widening between families and friends with close ties.
Studies have shown that television and the media in general can also have a very negative impact on the psyche of children. Some studies indicate that it can shorten their attention span, distort body image by working in conjunction with other factors to escalate obesity, create fear, and increase aggressive and anti-social behaviour if the exposure is unsupervised and unlimited. Researchers in one study followed 329 subjects over 15 years. They found that those who as children were exposed to violent TV shows were much more likely to later be convicted of crime. The researchers found that media violence can affect “any child from any family", regardless of social class or parenting.
Girls who watched more than an average amount of violence tended to throw things at their husbands. Boys who grew up watching violent TV shows were more likely to be violent with their wives.
Researchers concluded in a study published in Developmental Psychology that: "Every violent TV show increases a little bit the likelihood of a child growing up to behave more aggressively . I don't understand how the directors of TV serials go to the lowest level to produce such serials, how the FMCG companies are sponsoring such serials”. We can rise up, to boycott such FMCG companies who sponsor such serials.
Parents should be vigilant in this regard and monitor their child’s exposure to the media. They should follow up all the research showing the dangers of negative media exposure and the ways to counteract it by implementing it in their homes to ensure positive development of their children’s characters and attitudes. Watching TV is boxing us into living virtual lives, while real life, which is nothing like reality tv even, waits outside with its nuances and charms.
M Alamgir Hossain,
Upazila Election Officer, Chatak E-mail: alamgir01912@yahoo.com |