TELEVISION FOR CHILDREN Need For Films Showing More Real Way Of Life

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32361, 29 July 1970, Page 3

TELEVISION FOR CHILDREN Need For Films Showing More Real Way Of Life

, When the headline news starts around 5.40 p.m.. some mothers have settled the family down to tea. Others are engaged in the kitchen chores and are very pleased the children are quiet watching television. Thus, many young viewers move into the lives of Buffy and Joady, Daktari, Sister Bertriile, Patty Duke and the Three Musketeers. These must all be considered as part of children’s viewing. Take away the fantasy world of cartoons, and real life remains that seems genuine to the child. Living animals and people do interesting things, sometimes exciting, sometimes naughty, and everything comes right in the end. Basically, there is nothing too violent about these programmes nor is there anything wrong with the obvious message they preach. A major criticism concerns the portrayal of a world that is similar to our own but which consists of different cultural values and customs. Does this constant viewing [of American behaviour influence our children’s expectations of life in our society? Consider the programmes. Family Affair An upper middle class American family faces the every day problems of child-

p This Is the third of four „ articles on television proll grammes for children, written „ by J. A. DORAN, a lecturer e In English at the Chrlstp church Teachars* College, 11 primary division. n ren growing up. Buffy and jr Joady, the clean and tidy 1 twins, explain away the ? unpredictable behaviour of big sister, Sissy, who is constantly trying to find her s adolescent freedom. But the y thoughtful, very permissive r Uncle Bill drawis his way e through another difficulty and e all ends well in a shower of s sentimentality. Joady philosophises, “growing up sure y can be complicated,” and il Sissy provides the moral i- lesson by stating, “1 hope I i- haven’t been a silly teen- -- ager. Going off can be fine t- but I need my family.” d One programme dwelt on e the difference between state i- and private schools. State e schools won out because there one learnt "to get with sfpedple” even though children r did not attain much specialised knowledge. ’■ Patty Duke Show “A bit boyish and girlish,” one nine-year-old stated. This is a teen-agers' programme s involving American teen-age ’ conventions which are different from our own. Here, ' viewers can get a working knowledge of those problems that are so necessarily a part sof “dating” and “going - steady.” “The Patty Dukei - Show” was chosen by all age I

groups as the most popular Wednesday programme. It is happy, funny, and well acted but it is hoped the examples of deceit, impertinence, and i over bearing self-confidence are rejected by young viewers. Flying Nun An incredibly fantastic series usually • involving Sister Bertrille in a battle of wits with her convent superiors and Carlos, a Latin lover. Like "All Gas and Gaiters,” the programme is irreverent and in bad taste, giving little insight into the realities of such a religious life. The young novice implicates herself in extremely fanciful situations a black ■ and white world where brashness and adolescent precocity fight vice and ultimately win. Young children have rejected the “Flying Nun” but many 10 and 11-year-olds judge it the best for Friday. Here Come the Brides This is an unusual American adventure that emphasises the importance of loyalty to the family group. Yet there are certain features that cannot, justify its placement in the main viewing slot for children. The continual stress on romantic relationships among' the adult community is over the heads of the younger audience. We have to accept over-sentimentality' as an | integral part of American programmes but when one of the male leads was hobbled land then hunted for sport by a psychotic soldier, this series Joined the not recommended list. It is, in fact, a romantic unsuitable for (younger viewers. Lassie Although “Lassie” is a favourite with all children, more cry over his predicaments than in any other programme. The animal appeal seems to be greatest for viewers up to seven. Older children are looking for more exciting or convincing characi ters. All these programmes ■feature American values. ' Along with “My Three Sons,” ■which many children enjoy, there is a sameness about the relationships and themes. They often represent the more comfortable middle I class of town and country, where self-confidence and toughness are needed for! success in life. Parents are indulgent, material possessions unlimited, pertnessi accepted as normal, and fam-' ily life dominated by the whims of children. Now television has arrived our parents are even less in control of when their children acquire the social facts of life. Whether these facts develop a foreign bias depends on many variables, one of which is the strength of the family relationship. Television is a powerful medium for good or ill. And like the newspapers or radio, it'is a means of disseminating ■ propaganda. It is a pity there are not sufficient programmes available showing a way of , life more like our own.