TV--Unplugged

  • Thread starter Thread starter thisnthat
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
T

thisnthat

Guest
Has anyone decided to get rid of their tv altogether? We have 3 teens in the house and the filth on tv is unbelievable! Anyway, we are considering pulling the plug on cable so that we would just get network tv. Any thoughts?
 
We couldn’t afford cable when got married (1990) and our reception was lousy. We found that we didn’t need it and rarely ever watch TV (Olympics, Iraqi invasion, etc.). We rent videos when we want to watch something. We homeschool our 4 boys (ages 6 to 12) and I believe that they spend a lot more time outside during the day and reading at night because the TV is off.

Do it!
 
My wife and I decided when we married last year to not purchase cable, but to keep the T.V. for videos. It’s such an easy way to save money. IMHO, there are so many beter things to do that promote growth. I believe there was an earlier thread on this topic.
 
We unplug our TV every year for Lent. I couldn’t be happier. I wish it were never on! On a practical note, unplugging the TV can save money–it still uses some electricity when it’s plugged in.
 
40.png
thisnthat:
Has anyone decided to get rid of their tv altogether? We have 3 teens in the house and the filth on tv is unbelievable! Anyway, we are considering pulling the plug on cable so that we would just get network tv. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...
I would just go all the way and get rid of the tv. Network tv is no better than the rest. Too bad there is no way we can just suscribe to EWTN.
 
Keep it around for the occasional video, but unplug it and put it in a storage area like the basement or garage, or under a table.

You will wonder how you ever hjad time to watch the thing.
 
Actually, I’m more concerned with content that kids can get into on the Internet… Any medium has its advantages and disadvantages…all need adult supervision in order to be monitored closely, especially when children and teens are involved. TV can be a vast wasteland… or a great learning tool. It depends on how you allow it to be used.
 
In response to the internet, etc.,…

We have already eliminated internet access for kids at our house. When a parent tells me that their kids need the internet for research at school, I just laugh and ask them what they used when they were in school! As a teacher, I believe it is a huge misconception on the parents’ part that their children must have internet access when there is a wealth of information housed in the public libraries (but it is easier to go to the internet than to learn how to use a library). In our house, anyone who needs access for a school project can do so while we are in the room facing the computer screen.

As far as the tv goes, last night I asked my husband what educational benefit is there for our kids on tv. We couldn’t come up with one. The occasional time they would need to watch something on the History or Discovery Channel might be an exception, but those are also usually available on Videotape. Thanks for all the responses; we have disconnected our cable and are planning to have the tv around for videos.
 
Get rid of the tv altogether. When your kids are gone they won’t have fond memories of you all sitting around watching videos. They are plenty of better things to do. I got rid of my TV in November and I have realized how much time I wasted and what garbage is on there
 
We don’t have kids yet, so I don’t know how qualified I am to contribute, but we’ve been thinking already about how to handle the t.v. issue when we do have them.

I’m thinking of keeping satellite for those stations we occasionally watch (EWTN, HGTV, etc.), but leaving the t.v. covered up in the cabinet most of the time. I’d probably buy some videos of the clean, family-oriented shows that were on when I was younger (Little House, etc.). I can only think that the less time the kids spend in front of the t.v., the better. Have you ever read the book The Plug-In Drug? It’s interesting reading on the subject.
 
Pitch the tube! There’s a good reason it’s known as the idiot box…

Actually, we usually keep ours under a table and use it only for videos (from the library…cheaper than renting). Paying for cable or satellite would leave me feeling almost obliged to watch, given the financial investment in the subscription. My kids are voracious readers (an occaisional problem unto itself), and get bored when their friends are in TV mode.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top