Television Viewing~ Final version

‘From the time television was invented it has fascinated its audience’ (Leigh 2001, pp. 24-25). The fact that today almost every family in developed countries has at least one television set (Sharif 1999) has shown the definite influence of television. This is further proven by a survey that both women and men spend the most hours on watching television during leisure time (American Time Use Survey 2003). Eventually, controversial views on the effects of television viewing arise among people. Some claim that it encourages critical thinking as well as provides a wealth of information. Despite those benefits, I however, strongly believe that excessive television viewing brings more harm as it triggers behavioral problems, distraction from homework and health problems.

Firstly, people especially children who are at the thought-shaping stage tend to visualize an idea of life and behavior as shown in television programs (Sharif 1999). Stereotype of violence on television, particularly, induces deplorable effects on children as they may think that solving conflicts using violence is a usual and natural way (Sharif 1999). More than that, modern children’s programs are subjected to develop short attention spans in children with them seizing easy solutions on all problems. This gives no benefit when they are facing complex difficulties in real life. Besides, people addicted in certain programs almost suffer ‘withdrawal problem’ (Rutherford 2002, p. 14) and this leads to antisocial behavior.

Secondly, excessive television viewing undoubtedly causes students to be distracted from their homework. Dr. Thomas claims that television programs incur nothing but undivided attention from children causing them unable to focus on homework (Leigh 2001). According to Dr. Geraldine Jones, children cannot develop the imaginative skills needed in formation of organizational and problem-solving ability (Leigh 2001). Consequently, they are likely to be the lowest achievers in school. In spite of variety of educational programs on television, children are always having preferences on entertainment programs which provide no help on their studies. In short, distraction caused by television viewing is detrimental on study process of children.

Furthermore, heavy viewers of television are highly possible to be encountering with health problems due to lack of exercises. The time-wasting activity of flicking between channels imposes a cost where people will spend less time on activities such as sports and recreation (Rutherford 2002). UK Time Use Survey (2000) established a survey result showing that full-time workers spend the second fewest time for sports and exercise on both weekday and weekend. People usually love to grab snacks or even have their meals in front of the television. This invasive lifestyle absolutely contributes to various health problems especially obesity, short sightedness and related diseases.

To conclude, the bad effects of excessive television viewing outperform its benefits where it leads to behavioral problems, distraction as well as health problems. Television viewing will be a good soothing and relaxing activity after work or school (Rutherford 2002) if it is done with moderation. In addition, educational programs should be presented in a more creative way such as using animation to make learning fun. As a conclusion, I insist that excessive television watching brings more harm than good.

television viewing #2

‘From the time television was invented it has fascinated its audience’ (Leigh 2001, pp. 24-25). The fact that nowadays almost every family in developed countries has at least one television set (Sharif 1999) has shown the definite influence of television. This is further proven by a survey that both women and men spend the most hours on watching television during leisure time (American Time Use Survey 2003). Eventually, controversial views on the effects of television viewing arise among people. Some claim that it encourages critical thinking as well as provides a wealth of information. Despite those benefits, I however, strongly believe that excessive television viewing brings more harm as it triggers behavioral problems, distraction from homework and health problems.

Firstly, people especially children who are at the thought-shaping stage tend to visualize an idea of life and behavior as shown in television programs (Sharif 1999). Stereotype of violence on television, particularly, induces deplorable effects on children as they may think that solving conflicts using violence is a usual and natural way (Sharif 1999). More than that, modern children’s programs are subjected to develop short attention spans in children with them seizing easy solutions on all problems. This gives no benefit when they are facing complex difficulties in real life. Besides, people addicted in certain programs almost suffer ‘withdrawal problem’ (Rutherford 2002, p. 14) and this leads to antisocial behavior.

Secondly, excessive television viewing undoubtedly causes students to be distracted from their homework. Dr. Thomas claims that television programs incur nothing but undivided attention from children causing them unable to focus on homework (Leigh 2001). According to Dr. Geraldine Jones, children cannot develop the imaginative skills needed in formation of organizational and problem-solving ability (Leigh 2001). Consequently, they are likely to be the lowest achievers in school. In spite of variety of educational programs on television, children are always having preferences on entertainment programs which provide no help on their studies. In short, distraction caused by television viewing is detrimental on study process of children.

Furthermore, heavy viewers of television are highly possible to be encountering with health problems due to lack of exercises. The time-wasting activity of flicking between channels imposes a cost where people will spend less time on activities such as sports and recreation (Rutherford 2002). UK Time Use Survey (2000) established a survey result showing that full-time workers spend the second fewest time for sports and exercise on both weekday and weekend. People usually love to grab snacks or even have their meals in front of the television. This invasive lifestyle absolutely contributes to various health problems especially obesity, short sightedness and related diseases.

To conclude, the bad effects of excessive television viewing outperform its benefits where it leads to behavioral problems, distraction as well as health problems. Television viewing will be a good soothing and relaxing activity after work or school (Rutherford 2002) if it is done with moderation. In addition, educational programs should be presented in a more creative way such as using animation to make learning fun. As a conclusion, I insist that excessive television watching brings more harm than good.

argumentative essay: junk food, final version

Generally, junk food is ‘any food that is perceived to be unhealthy and of low nutritional value’ (Family Journal 2005, p. 3). Lin Tran (2005) also agrees with this, stating that consuming junk food such as chocolate bars, potato chips and sweets will raise the kilojoules intake and lead to obesity problem among children. Subsequently, demands that sale of junk food in school should be banned have been increased. Operators of school canteens, however, argue that the ban will erode their profitability as sale of junk food finances most of their income. A statistic released by School News (2005) shows that profit earned by Cook High School has decreased gradually after reducing the sale of junk food. Nonetheless, I strongly believe that sale of junk food in school should be banned because junk food brings health problems, changes children behaviors and leads to litter problem.

Firstly, the unhealthy consequences of consuming junk food are clearly noticed where childhood obesity problem is presenting an epidemic pattern in Australia. The fact that preferences of children toward junk food are increasing has been proven through a survey conducted by Australian Nutritional Journal (2004). The data shows that more than 50% of children consume food containing fat more than recommended intake. Paradoxically, less that 25% consume fruits and vegetables with recommended intake. By selling food that contain a lot sugar and fat, school canteens are obviously causing the increase in weight of youth (Reynolds 2005). Childhood obesity will lead to fatal diseases like heart diseases, osteoarthritis, and cancers in future. Besides, frequent consumption of soft drinks will decline the dental health of children.

Other than that, students’ behaviors tend to worsening due to over consume of junk food. Dr. Cray (2005) in The Food Showa claims that with the ease of availability of junk food in school, children cannot get the daily nutrients needed. This will retard their growth and development as well as their learning potential while triggering behavioral problems. There is no doubt that students’ eating habits on what they like to eat are determined at home. But sale of junk food in school canteens will add insult to injury where students will not be able to improve their habits. Once they can buy junk food easily from school canteens, they will be eating whenever they like without any consideration and it will affect their studies. Cancelling the unhealthy junk food from students’ diets can result in the improvement of their behaviors (Caputo 2005).

Another adverse effect of selling junk food in school is the litter problems. Junk food packaging which include cans, crisp packets, cartons and plastic containers will be thrown everywhere in the school by students. This indirectly contributes to the safety hazard of students (Family Journal 2005). It is absolutely true that increased litter problems will cause cleaning costs being pushed up while the image of school also being affected. If the sale of junk food in school is removed, school groundskeepers will be able to save time on cleaning the grounds while having additional time to do other maintenance projects (Green 2005). In short, banning the sale of junk food in school is beneficial as litter problems are solved.

To conclude, the sale of junk food in school will bring bad effects to both students and school where it prompts health, behavior as well as litter problems. A sports nutritionist, Adrian Cook (2005) says that junk food can be nutritious if children eat them with moderation. Hence, parents have to cooperate with the school authority in educating children to eat and drink moderately. After all, sale of junk food in school ought to be banned.

argumentative essay: Television Viewing

‘From the time television was invented it has fascinated its audience’ (Leigh 2001, pp. 24-25). The fact that nowadays almost every family in developed countries gave at least one television set (Sharif 1999) has shown the definite influence of television. This is further proven by a survey that both women and man spend the most hours on watching television during leisure time (American Time Use Survey 2003). Eventually, controversial views on effects of television viewing arose among people. Some claim that it encourages critical thinking as well as provides a wealth of information. Despite those benefits, I however, strongly believe that excessive television viewing brings more harm as it triggers behavioral problems, distraction from homework and health problems.

Firstly, people especially children who are at the thought-shaping stage are tend to visualize an idea of life and behavior as shown in television programs (Sharif 1999). Stereotype of violence on television, particularly, induced deplorable effect on children as they may think that solving conflicts using violence is a usual and natural way (Sharif 1999). More than that, modern children’s programs are subjected to develop short attention spans in children with them seizing easy solutions on all problems. This gives no benefit when they are facing complex difficulties in real life. Besides, people addicted in certain program almost suffer “withdrawal problem” (Rutherford 2002, p. 14) and this leads to antisocial behavior.

Secondly, excessive television viewing undoubtedly causes students to be distracted from their homework. Dr. Thomas claims that television programs incur nothing but undivided attention from children causing them unable to focus on homework (Leigh 2001). According to Dr. Geraldine Jones, children cannot develop the imaginative skills needed in formation of organizational and problem-solving ability (Leigh 2001). Consequently, they are likely to be the lowest achievers in school. In spite of variety of educational programs on television, children are always having preferences on entertainment programs which provide no help on their studies. In short, distraction caused by television viewing is detrimental on study process of children.

Furthermore, heavy viewers of television are highly possible to be encountering with health problems due to lack of exercises. The time-wasting activity of flicking between channels imposes a cost where people will spend less time on activities such as sports and recreation (Rutherford 2002). UK Time Use Survey (2000) established a survey result showing that full-time workers spend the second fewest time for sports and exercise on both weekday and weekend. People usually love to grab snacks or even have their meals in front the television. This invasive lifestyle absolutely contributes to various health problems especially obesity, short sightedness and related diseases.

To conclude, the bad effects of excessive television viewing outperform its benefits where it leads to behavioral problems, distraction as well as health problems. Television viewing will be a good soothing and relaxing activity after work or school (Rutherford 2002) if it is done with moderation. In addition, educational programs should be presented in a more creative way such as using animation to make learning fun. As a conclusion, I insist that excessive television watching brings more harm than good.

NSW govt bans dangerous plastic

The NSW government has banned the supply of children's products that contain more than one per cent of a dangerous plastic.

Products containing more than one per cent of Diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) pose a risk of reproductive toxicity for children aged up to three years old, an assessment by the National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme (NICNAS) found.

Fair Trading Minister Virginia Judge said traders supplying such products will face penalties of up to $22,000 for individuals and up to $110,000 for corporations.

"This precautionary measure will help ensure young children in NSW are protected from even a small chance of exposure to harmful levels of this chemical," Ms Judge said in a statement on Thursday.

The NICNAS study found that infants who chew or suck objects containing more than one per cent of DEHP for more than 40 minutes a day are at risk.

DEHP is used to make plastics more pliable and is found in toys and childcare products such as soothers, teething rings, bottles and bibs.

Ms Judge said while there was no evidence DEHP was present in products in NSW, inspectors will undertake testing as part of routine compliance checks.

All suppliers are equally responsible for ensuring their producers meet the requirement of the ban.

"This includes manufacturers, importers, distributors and retailers," Ms Judge said.

comments:

the government's decision on banning the products containing excessive plastic component is absolutely good for ensuring the health of children as they are the country's assets. Besides, reducing the usage of plastic products will also help in saving the environment. Since plastic cannot be bio-degradable, the most common way to get rid of them is to burn them but the toxic gases produced will pollute the air. In other way, with the decrease in usage of plastic, government can use the cost saved for more useful developments for the country.