Parent's role on TV and summer

CEBU, Philippines - This week has been full of children’s recitals and culminating programs left and right. There are two, which I have attended as a mentor. I’m sure there’s also a lot of it happening around the city somewhere.

Looking at the children that I’ve worked with for the whole summer, I can’t help but question their reason of spending summer learning. Is it because they’ve got nothing to do with the spare time? Or is it that they love the craft? For whatever reason, they are lucky to be part of the privileged few who are blessed enough to have joined these programs.

For those who cannot afford such lessons, what is left for a child to do? According Frank Rivera, the Executive Director of the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT), the television becomes an instant yaya (maid). It’s the most affordable yaya there is. No stress with overtime pay, a place for her to stay and extra budget for her food. You just leave your child with a comfy couch, snacks to munch on and you’re good to go!

With this game plan in mind, what are the odds that at the end of the day your child is now knowledgeable on love affairs, indecent language and immodest clothing? Well, a hundred percent or 

more. Children can easily adapt to these from just sitting and watching television. Their innocent minds are like sponges bound to absorb any bit of information that they have heard or seen. Unlike a grown up’s mind, they do not have the capacity to filter thoughts and ideas. Whether you like it or not, they would not know the right from wrong if there is no guidance from a parent or a guardian.

No wonder the Movie and Television Review Classification Board (MTRCB) would take a few seconds of airtime to play their stinger and flash the classification of the certain show. But no matter how many times MTRCB would plug that in, it all boils down to responsible parental guidance. Without an adult who would screen television shows, it is still useless.

The television or the computer should not replace a parent’s responsibility to look after the child. Having a child entails a parent to watch over him or her, rearing them to become better individuals in the future. Being busy with work is not an excuse to exempt a parent from this role. Otherwise, you should have thought so before having one.

Many unfortunate incidents have happened because of irresponsible parenting. If this continues on, what will happen to the next generation?

But parents are not totally to blame, really. The broadcast networks also get a share of the blame for showing materials thinking only of profit and ignoring the fact that children could learn bad things from what they are showing. There is too much violence and immodest acts on TV. It is time to tone these down; the effects are tremendously affecting the children of today.

They say a child’s future relies on how he/she is raised. I’m thankful there are still parents who care and allow their children to enroll in summer classes. And I give them a thundering applause too for being present at their recital.

**Published in the Freeman newspaper on May 29, 2012