TV Ratings System Criticized by Parents

As a TV writer, I have taken special interest in your series on the rating of prime-time TV programs (June 12, 13). I agree with the parents that the present ratings system is ineffective. However, I do not agree with them when they say that they don’t want government to legislate the type of programs that can be on because that is “their” job as parents. What about those children who do not have parents or whose parents are, at best, not interested in or able to discern what is appropriate for them to watch?

Dramas, though often filled with disproportionate amounts of violence and sleaze, do need to integrate consequences into their story lines. Maybe if some of these teenagers who are finding time to trash babies in the middle of the prom, rape and asphyxiate kids between breaks of video arcade fun, or set grandma on fire had watched some shows where kids who indulged in similar pursuits were shown to suffer severe repercussions, they might have thought twice before acting. When violent and sexual elements are added to sitcoms where the main intent is to laugh, I think the problem is greater.

Maybe the families of the victims of heinous crimes committed by children should start suing the people who create some of the unnecessary nonsense that now disgraces the screen.

HARRIET A. DICKEY

Los Angeles

I’m the only father I know who “has time.” We have no TV, which must be why I have “spare time.” We’re free from worry about sorting through the TV listings and making choices.

And when my 13-year-old daughter Courtney told me it was probably a good thing having no TV, it made my day! Then we got on our bikes, rode for 20 minutes to her friend’s house, and she saw the last episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.” So she watches one or two shows a month. And me? I get more precious times with her.

MARK BELL

Northridge

I’m impressed with the Iizukas’ decision to closely monitor their daughter’s television watching. Why not take it a step further like our family has done? Since 1970 we have not had a television that picks up any stations. Our children, now 15 and 17, have grown up listening to National Public Radio, American Public Radio and Pacifica (KPFK) Radio programs. They watched television infrequently at grandparents’ and friends’ houses, and we just recently started watching taped shows once or twice a week.

At home they read books, are involved in writing, music, technology and research projects. Both kids have GPAs of over 4.0 and our son will attend Brown University in the fall and, ironically, would like to produce television documentaries. Were they deprived? No way! They consider families who are slaves to the tube deprived.

BRIDGET BOYLE

Corona