Selling sex on network TV (girls, daughter, husband, boyfriend)

[chielgirl]

I agree that there's too much sex sold on TV, but, as a parent, aren't you more concerned about the number of violent acts, rapes, murders and the desensitizing to violence that is promoted?

That scares me more.

[geekduo]

Either use a DVR and don't play the commercials, or take the time to talk to your kids about what they are seeing. Sex is a natural part of life. While I don't think that 3 year olds need to learn all about it, you do have to explain it at some point in life. You can't shelter them forever. Teach them your values and how to make good decisions in all aspects of life. To think, not just follow the crowd or media. If you do this it will serve them well in all aspects of life.
As far as those pharmaceutical companies go, maybe if we had some kind of regulations on how much these companies can charge for their products then they might not be able to afford such expensive national commercials. And then people could actually afford the healthcare that they really need. Off my soapbox now.

[925mine]

Originally Posted by chielgirl

I agree that there's too much sex sold on TV, but, as a parent, aren't you more concerned about the number of violent acts, rapes, murders and the desensitizing to violence that is promoted?

That scares me more.

I hear you. The difference is, we choose the programs we watch, but we have no control over when they choose to insert commercials about sex enhancements.

[maja]

Originally Posted by geekduo

Either use a DVR and don't play the commercials, or take the time to talk to your kids about what they are seeing. Sex is a natural part of life. While I don't think that 3 year olds need to learn all about it, you do have to explain it at some point in life. You can't shelter them forever. Teach them your values and how to make good decisions in all aspects of life. To think, not just follow the crowd or media. If you do this it will serve them well in all aspects of life.
As far as those pharmaceutical companies go, maybe if we had some kind of regulations on how much these companies can charge for their products then they might not be able to afford such expensive national commercials. And then people could actually afford the healthcare that they really need. Off my soapbox now.

Geekduo, You do make some good points. Unfortunately, we are not all TechnoGeeks and we do not all have or know how to easily use all of this type equipment......We have simply stopped watching most T.V. at our home

[lolitalemnicka22]

Not only are they selling sex but on the all cartoon networks they are CONSTANTLY trying to sell your child things. I'm getting to the point where i'm going to have to cut all tv out. I don't want tv programming my children and telling them what's cool, what they should buy, and how they should act.

[geekduo]

maja- I understand that. I don't own a DVR either. Too expensive. For toddlers and very young children I would suggest videos. When mine were that age there were that times we didn't have cable and antannae reception was spotty. I've always been a bargain hunter and was able to find plenty of videos available at thrift sales, bargain stores and borrowed some from the library. They usually would develop a favorite that they would request over and over and over..... Mine tended to prefer the older family movies. I don't think I'll ever get the songs from Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang out of my head.
Nowadays I just try to make sure that they get the right message from us about sex and how to deal with those type of issues. I also do choose what programs I allow them to watch according to their age and maturity. I'm more concerned about them watching shows on MTV than the commercials on network television. I try to avoid sheltering them too much at home especially as they get older. The older they get, the more they are going to friends houses and other places and hearing things that I have no control over. I would rather have open and honest discussions about these topics than to try to constantly censor these things (within reason).

[925mine]

Originally Posted by geekduo

Either use a DVR and don't play the commercials, or take the time to talk to your kids about what they are seeing. Sex is a natural part of life. While I don't think that 3 year olds need to learn all about it, you do have to explain it at some point in life. You can't shelter them forever. Teach them your values and how to make good decisions in all aspects of life. To think, not just follow the crowd or media. If you do this it will serve them well in all aspects of life.
As far as those pharmaceutical companies go, maybe if we had some kind of regulations on how much these companies can charge for their products then they might not be able to afford such expensive national commercials. And then people could actually afford the healthcare that they really need. Off my soapbox now.

We don't have a DVR or TIVO or anything else with initials

I've been answering questions (millions) for 14 years and we discuss EVERYTHING in our house. No sheltering here, but the Cialis commercials are a little too descriptive for my taste.

My daughter isn't so fragile, but I still question the appropriateness of selling sex through commercials all throughout the day.

Anyway, I think regulating the profits for big drug companies is a great idea. Might put a crimp in more than advertising... Maybe they would have to stop putting things in our faces that haven't been proven completely.

[925mine]

www.fcc.gov/cgb/broadcast.html

The FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is the go to for things like offensive programming and advertising.

"The FCC has defined broadcast indecency as "language or material that, in context, depicts or describes, in terms patently offensive as measured by contemporary community standards for the broadcast medium, sexual or excretory organs or activities." Indecent programming contains patently offensive sexual or excretory material that does not rise to the level of obscenity."

"The courts have held that indecent material is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be banned entirely. It may, however, be restricted in order to avoid it's broadcast during times of the day when there is a reasonable risk that children may be in the audience."

The drug companies have been creeping in for a long time now, and getting away with it. When I emailed a number of people in the FCC, they assured me there would be an investigation, but I'm certain nothing will be done.

What is most frightening about what they are doing, is (aside from being soooo offensive with their sex ads) advertising all these new drugs that have led to deaths and serious side effects (Vioxx comes to mind).

[925mine]

Here we are on a Sunday morning again. Let's see how many Cialis commercials there are....

[AliceT]

There was a time when parents actually played board and card games with their children, took them for nature walks and taught them about trees and insects that were encountered along the way. If you find it so objectionable, ditch the TV. It really is that simple.