Many people believe that television programs are of no value for   children.

　　Do you agree? Why or why not?

　　Model Answer:

　　Televisual media has become a pervasive force in the lives of families   around the world today. Yet, a central question remains regarding whether   watching television is harmful or beneficial for children. An analysis of this   question reveals that television programs present three major concerns in the   case of children, including depictions of violence, the use of profane language,   and the representation of poor moral role models.

　　Television programs that portray violence are a paramount concern for   parents nowadays. Recent research has shown that children may commit acts of   violence because they wish to emulate the behavior that they see on television.   This is especially true when violent acts are committed by well-known action   “heroes.” In addition, television programs show cartoon figures, as well as   actors, committing violent acts. Using comic situations to depict violent themes   causes further problems with the way in which young people view violence.

　　Television programs that contain profane or disrespectful language also   worry parents with young children. Because censorship laws have relaxed over the   past few decades, it has become very common for television programs of each and   every kind to show characters expressing impolite, rude, and insulting   utterances to one another. Bearing resemblance to the case of portrayals of   violence, children unfortunately often try to imitate these actions they watch   on their television screens.

　　Finally, some parents are upset about the moral behavior depicted on   television. As they struggle to teach their children moral and ethical values,   parents might despair about the lack of morals and ethics represented in some of   the so-called role models on television. For instance, certain characters not   only have no remorse for their immoral actions, but also frequently go   unpunished by larger society.

　　Because of these factors, many parents believe that television programs   send their youth the wrong kinds of messages. The emulation of this poor   behavior by their children is something they wish to avoid at all costs, and   they have accordingly decided to ban television in their households for these   reasons.