Television Plug in Drug

¶ … Television, the Plug-in Drug": Negative Effects on "Plugged-in" Children and Families

Based on Marie Winn's essay, "Television, The Plug-In Drug," the all-too-frequent role of television on our lives today is that of either (1) babysitter; (2) too-frequent family entertainer; and (3) emotional narcotic. Moreover, according to Winn, television, when watched excessively or as a substitute for human interaction, is a negative "plug-in drug," in its mind-numbing effect on individuals and families alike. Therefore, I agree with Winn that the role of television in our lives is too often to distract us; numb us, and keep us preoccupied and distant from one another, compromising (if not destroying) communication within families, and among people in general. I therefore agree with Winn's overall view that television is capable of damaging (and often does damage, or even destroy) interpersonal; family, and other relationships among peers and within society. Viewing television, especially for long periods, narcotizes one against life itself; that is, first-hand experiences and feelings; conversations; conflict resolution; and human bonding.

In today's world of fast food; frenetic two-income households with 'overscheduled' children, and little 'quality time' for anyone or anything, television, as Winn argues, isolates family members even further from each other. In the days before television, Winn recalls, families typically spent time together: talking, playing, and establishing the "glue" of meaningful ties that could transcend time and space. Winn observes that, even in long-past decades when TV sets were expensive luxuries, family members would at least watch one television set together. But nowadays, in households with multiple television sets, it is all too common for family members to watch separate television sets separately, and even eat dinner separately, with each person occupying a different room, glued to his or her respective television, eating a solitary dinner. Thus, as Winn notes, "The relationships of family members to each other are affected by television's powerful; competition in both obvious and subtle ways" ("Television, the Plug-In Drug," p. 329).

And, while it is true (and Winn admits) that television cannot be blamed for every weakness in society, or for every dysfunctional family, TV definitely is not (as Winn quotes a 1949 writer, who predicted that it would be), "a real asset in every home where there are children'" ("The Plug-In Drug," p. 325). Instead, Winn offers up the poignant recollections of one young woman, whose childhood joy during Christmas, replete with visits from many aunts, uncles, and cousins, all talking together; opening gifts, and playing games, abruptly ended one year, never to return, when the option of watching a holiday football game on TV presented itself one Christmas.

Winn observes that "Families frequently use television to avoid confronting their problems" ("The Plug-In Drug, p. 330). TV watching, since it inherently discourages conversation, provides a convenient, reliable excuse for families to avoid discussing problems; conflicts; frustrations; disagreements; anger; disappointment, or any other typical (and typically human) feelings that occur in families, and that (when addressed) help them grow and bond. Instead, a family that watches TV instead of sharing joy; sorrow; triumph; and disappointment together forfeits chances to grow closer and stronger as a unit. That, combined with today's dearth of extended families; community ties, and other traditional support networks, further undermines family unity; devalues real-life experience; and contributes to human isolation and alienation.