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April, 2001

As fathers, we have a serious obligation, in collaboration with our wives, to ensure that the tone of our homes is truly Christian. This is done by fostering a cheerful, warm and cooperative environment within the home--and by controlling the material that enters the home through television, radio, magazines, etc. Parents have the right and obligation to "censure" anything that can influence the tone of the home in which they are raising their families.

Television programming has had a profound influence on our society. The television industry has shaped the values and attitudes of at least three generations. Through regular TV programming our families can access shows featuring softcore pornography (or worse), gratuitous violence and the promotion or acceptance of homosexual activity, premarital and extramarital sex. The TV is on for hours a day in many households. As a passive form of entertainment, excessive TV viewing has taken the place of more active forms of entertainment such as reading, music, and hobbies. Of course, TV can do great good, providing many worthwhile and educational shows. However, it is a form of entertainment that must be managed wisely.

Some concerned parents have taken the somewhat radical step of eliminating the TV from their homes altogether. I'm certainly not criticizing this approach. It may be the best approach for some families and should be considered an option. For those who choose to keep a TV in the home, it is crucial to establish a "TV policy" that is followed by all members of the family, including parents, children and adult children living at home. A TV policy might include the following elements. The parents decide what show can be watched and when. No child should be allowed to turn on the TV without permission from a parent. No TV should be watched on school nights with few exceptions. In general, the TV should be employed infrequently--just a few hours per week.

A family TV policy will be effective only if both parents agree to it and it is implemented consistently. Of course, there can be exceptions. But, the children should understand that they are exceptions.

Our goal is not so much to shelter our kids from the harmful effects of bad television programming as to prepare them with good Christian sensibilities. A steady diet of the garbage that is available on TV today can desensitize anyone's sense of decency and good taste. We fathers must lead our families to the high road of family entertainment through positive guidance and good example.

Go to the TV policy discussion forum

Steve Gabriel is the author of "Speaking to the Heart: A Father's Guide to Growth in Virtue"
which can be ordered directly from Our Sunday Visitor.

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