“Television thus illustrates the mixed blessings of technological change in American society. It is a new medium, promising extraordinary benefits: great educational potential, a broadening of experience, enrichment of daily life, entertainment for all. But it teaches children the uses of violence, offers material consumption as the answer to life's problems, sells harmful products, habituates viewers to constant stimulation, and undermines family interaction and other forms of learning such as play and reading.” ChildrenPlayUseProblemFormReadingAnswersTeachViolenceTelevisionMaterialsProductsBlessingOffersBenefitsSellsConstantExtraordinaryEntertainmentEducationalMediumsDaily LifeInteractionConsumptionTechnologicalViewersStimulationAmerican SocietyGreat EducationalEnrichmentTechnological ChangeAnswers To Life Author:Kenneth Keniston
“Recognizing that family self-sufficiency is a false myth, we also need to acknowledge that all today's families need help in raising children. The problem is not so much to reeducate parents but to make available the help they need and to give them enough power so that they can be effective advocates with and coordinators of the other forces that are bringing up their children.” NeedsGivingChildrenSelfEnoughHelpingProblemTodayForceParentAvailableMythAcknowledgeRecognizingRaising ChildrenNeed HelpSelf SufficiencySufficiencyCoordinator Author:Kenneth Keniston
“One current reaction to change in families, for example, is the proposal for more "education for parenthood," on the theory that this training will not only teach specific skills such as how to change diapers or how to play responsively with toddlers, but will raise parents' self-confidence at the same time. The proposed cure, in short, is to reform and educate the people with the problem.” PeopleSelfPlayProblemParentTeachExampleTheorySkillsTrainingRaisesCurrentsSelf ConfidenceReactionsCuresReformParenthoodEducateProposalDiapersToddler Author:Kenneth Keniston
“It is misleading to discuss recent changes in family life without emphasizing the fact that for generations some Americans have had to raise children under particularly appalling pressures. Although much of what is worrying American parents is shared by them all, the most grievous problems are those that especially afflict a large minority--the poor, the nonwhite and, in various ways, the parents of handicapped children.” WayChildrenFactsProblemParentPoorWorryGenerationsPressureRaisesVariousMinoritiesFamily LifeMisleadHandicapped Book:All Our Children: The American Family Under Pressure Source: All Our Children: The American Family Under Pressure
