In the second category, age, we will consider as people over the age of sixty-five. The number of people growing older in today’s society is on the rise thanks to the “Baby boomer age.” We sometimes try to target younger people with activities going on in the world, often excluding the older generations. Older people are often found sitting in front of the tube passing the time by, but just because they watch a lot of television, doesn’t mean that they are the most influenced. They have already lived life, good times and bad. They usually have the best understanding of how the world operates.
The third category is probably the most sensitive to discuss, race. Television portrays the different ethnic groups usually in stereotypes, not so much on appearance. Minorities usually play a lesser role. When a child looks at this he might automatically try to determine his worth or part of society. There are often many race issues brought up by television. Inter-racial marriages, in my opinion, are often one of the biggest issues brought up. With this you can see how the categories are often inter-tangled. For example: An average white American teenager falls in love with an African American. Chances are she will tell mom, but will not tell dad, because she fears what he will do. Usually in the end he will find out and probably end in some sort of violence.
The fourth category is work. This category is probably the most distorting of American society, but also the one most people can relate to. How often do you see a guy going to work in a mill, factory, or plant? It’s usually a nine to five office job. They still sometimes complain about money, but then they dish it out like they are “Printing it in the basement.” They have a big nice house, new car, and the latest cloths. When was the last time you have seen a television character driving a “Clunker,” “Lemon” or a teenager with a job. The parents just hand them money. I don’t now about you, but I cannot remember the last time my parents just handed me money. I’m in college. The most they ever send me is a reminder of the list of bills I have to pay.
The fifth category is health. How many over weight television stars are there. Everyone can eat whatever he or she chooses to and still be as thin as a twig. How often does a person wake up in the middle of the night with their hair and makeup perfect? When I wake up I look like I just got run over by a truck; or how often do they use the restroom. Actors on television must be the dirtiest people in the world, because I never see them in the shower, except to have sex in. Even when they show that, it is just sex, and no soap!
The sixth and final category deals with crime. A soap opera should be all I have to say about this, but I’ll still go into more detail. During on season a single actor can get mugged, raped, beaten up by an old boyfriend, partake in incest, all while sleeping with her sister’s husband in a church. Doesn’t sound very realistic, does it? That is a common punch line in today’s world of television. We can also analyze a show like the Sopranos. That is a show based on the theory that the more violent you are, the more powerful and successful you will be. Take into consideration what has just happened in our own country with the World trade center, Pentagon, and Summerset. If you would have went to a writer or producer with this story line, he would have turned it into a Blockbuster hit. What about a little kid who has seen Independence Day or Armageddon? Now he or she is watching the news. How is he or she supposed to determine the difference between real and fiction? Should we really let them find out on their own?
In closing, I hope the next time you sit down to watch a television show you will recall this article and take just a little different approach to the show. Remember the kid called TV Mike on Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Imagine if there is a kid in the world today like that today. I sure don’t want to meet him. What do you think he will turn out to be like? You be the judge of how you want your kids or even yourself to grow up and live in this world.
