Discuss: Enrich:
46 Part 1 Decisions About Parenting
offenses. Communities also regulate the
activities of their local businesses.
A family’s level of involvement with its
community can also make a difference. In
small communities, people may have more
say in local government. Large cities may
have more political groups and organizations
that people can join. In small towns, every
family may know one another. In larger
areas, people do not know everyone in their
community well, but may have a wider
variety of acquaintances.
No matter where families live, their
communities will influence them. Living
in each type of community has advantages
and disadvantages. When selecting the
community where they will live, parents
should weigh these factors carefully before
making a decision.
Media
The media has powerful influences, both
positive and negative, on today’s families.
Some families are better able than others to
use the media in beneficial ways and limit its
negative effects. Forms of the media include
the Internet, television, movies, radio, magazines,
and newspapers. Families use the media in
the ways that follow.
•
Information and learning. Families can
learn vast amounts of information about
weather, world news, sports, science,
nature, and history. Parents can also use
the media to open family discussions
about important societal issues, such as
AIDS, hunger, poverty, and violence.
•
Entertainment. Families may spend time
together surfing the Internet, watching
TV, going to the movies, or listening to
music. Sharing these activities can make
families closer. It can also be a lot of fun.
Families need to spend time enjoying one
another’s company.
When used responsibly, the media can
be very useful. Dangers exist, however,
when parents do not monitor their children’s
exposure to the media, 2-15. For example,
unsupervised children may view websites,
television shows, and movies or listen to
music with adult language and themes that
are not suited for children. Children are too
young to understand what they see or hear
and evaluate its content. Some media can
send damaging messages to children.
Another danger is overexposure to the
media. Children can spend vast amounts
of time using the computer or watching TV.
Time spent doing these activities is time
taken away from other activities, such as
reading, hobbies, and physical activities.
Families should balance their media time
with other activities that will help children
grow. Parents who set standards for their
children’s exposure to the media help their
children profit from the positives the media
offers while limiting negative effects.
Technology
Technology involves using scientific
knowledge for practical purposes.
Technology is created in the search for new
ways to improve life. Inventing new devices
2-15 Television can be a source of family
entertainment; however, it is important for parents
to monitor what their children watch.
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