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How the Media Violates the Sanctity of Our Families

Domenick J. Maglio, Ph.D. Neo-Traditionalist

How dare the media's home invasion corrupt our children's minds!

First there was Justin Timberlake's stalking and exposing of Janet Jackson's breast in Super Bowl 38. This happened without any previous warning to the families watching. Super Bowl 38 was the 9/11 of the war between traditional America and the secular elite. The Culture War was in full view for all Americans to see.

This attack was followed by Monday Night Football showing an attractive woman wearing only a towel seductively dropping it and jumping into a professional football player's arms. It did create the desired buzz for the show, "Desperate Housewives", but at what price? This sexually provocative advertisement again was without any warning to parents. It was another example of violating the sanctity of the American family.

A related issue is being waged over another aspect of appropriate conduct. The behavior of Indiana Pacer basketball players racing into the stands indiscriminately smashing fans was shocking even to veteran sportsmen. It was an animalistic display of over-paid "prima donnas". How can a parent begin to logically explain the criminal action and whining of sports heroes to their children? Our impressionable youth are being bombarded by inappropriate sexual and violent images.

A conflicted cultural message to children of what is civilized will sap the vibrancy of our country. Only a clear and united communication of our institutional values will result in wholesome expectations for children to emulate. The media has a responsibility to support high cultural standards during prime time.

The media doesn't get it. Freedom of expression without regard for the audience can be vulgar, indecent or obscene. There should be accountability attached to being granted the privilege of using public airways for the sake of our culture. The media's failure to follow acceptable standards will result in more moral deterioration and chaos.

Neither the performers, nor sports celebrities have much concern for their role modeling function. Both parties bluntly say it is about money and ratings not their private behavior. According to their self-centered reasoning inappropriate material in the time slot for children is the parent's responsibility to censor These celebrities view themselves as entertainers who should not be held responsible for their actions that may influence other people's children. The parents, not these humanitarian entertainers need to be held responsible for influencing the youth of our nation.

Their reasoning is flawed on several accounts. Parents cannot screen the shows their children watch when the expectations for the program are changed without warning. A sudden change from a family friendly program to a pornographic or violent segment to generate shock to sell their product is a corrupting influence on our youth. The celebrity's behavior, on and off stage, is imitated by impressionable children. Like it or not celebrities are role models. They are privileged people earning obscene salaries who have a responsibility to observe the morals and norms of society. Anything less is like "killing the goose that laid the golden egg." The vitality of a nation emanates from its youth.

The media's and its celebrity's disrespect for their customers, especially the children, is foolish. Eventually celebrities abusing their special status will cause a backlash of honest, decent, traditional Americans resulting in labeling the celebrities as destructive deviants.

All forms of the media have a vested self-interest concerning their impact on the most innocent. Either the media stops these ambushes of decency by policing itself or our government will be forced to use their licensing power to curb this abuse of our sensibilities.

One of the primary functions of government is to protect its citizens. Since parents are unable to determine before hand the contents of the program they are unable to shield their children from harmful material. The ultimate responsibility of the Federal Communications Commission is to insure that children are not exposed to inappropriate programs. We as adults do not need government to forewarn us and intervene. An adult can do self-censoring by switching the channel. We as adults have had enough experience to understand the implications of our choices. Our sexual and moral identities are well defined. Adults have "thick skin" that comes with maturity. Children are vulnerable due to their immaturity.

The media impact on children is much more profound than on adults. It is best for society if the media meets its obligation to all segments of society. Yes, the media has a right to free speech. It can say almost anything in our nation without reprisal. When children are involved freedom of speech has to be appropriately limited not to damage them. Children are not sufficiently developed to withstand the media home invasion. Our children are our country's future.

We as resolved citizens we will end media home invasions by becoming more indignant towards these abusive practices. Our response can be in the form of boycotting shows and advertisers who sponsor these programs and by contacting the FCC with our displeasure of these assaults on our children's healthy development. Professional ethics and accountability will return to the media.

By taking these measures traditional parents will reverse the tide and cleanse the filth which will allow sane morals and values to flourish in our media. Our children are worth it.