The purpose of this blog is to invite a conversation between parents/grandparents as consumers of media with regard to an understanding of what is important in your life (that which helps you to make meaning) and the influence of ubiquitous media culture in which we live, and your parenting. It is my hope and desire that we can help ourselves better interact with the media in our lives if we are in dialogue with one another about it.
For example:
- When your children/grandchildren watch a television program, do you/they watch it according to the schedule of the TV programmer or digitally record it to view on your schedule? Why?
- Does your daughter have to be a princess and watch everything associated with this imaginative fantasy while wearing a crown?
- Does your son have to watch action/adventure programming and walk around in life with a laser sword?
I know these are broad-sweeping stereotypes that might not apply to your family, but if certain creators of media programming are correct in their demographic research and assumptions, they are not far off the mark.
So, if you have a princess or defender of the planet in your family - how heavily has media helped to shape an identity, role or fantasy? Here the questions, begin!
I am an ordained United Methodist pastor who left a career as a media creator and producer to answer a call to ministry, only to find those legs also in ministry (see www.commongoodradio.org). I also aim to help families with children inform themselves, through the lens of their faith formation and deeply held journey of spirituality, what media they find helpful, informative, educational, entertaining or thought provoking.
In contrast, what spiritual harm might be brought on by media over which there is no conversation or intentional fore thought - especially with respect to the development of the children you love? For example:
- Is violence the only way to solve a problem as many, many programs will offer in the narrative of the story line?
- Must every girl live in pink or not feel like a girl?
I hope we can find ways to lift questions and dialogue, together. I am pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry with these questions in my lens, and your conversation will help share the direction of this journey that might help us all. It is my hope to find ways to dialogue about media and how to participate in faith through our culture, in the local church and help families open these conversations in the home.
With thanks and blessings, Reverend Robin Blair (aka Pastor Robin)
