Most people never stop to think about the influence television has had on their lives. They take TV for granted; it's just a normal part of everyday life. Nobody focuses on TV itself; it's simply a means to an end. It's a source of news and information, a way to feel connected with the world, and a way to waste time; it's a passive, uninvolved form of entertainment. Besides consuming time and replacing other leisure activities, TV hardly seems to have much of an impact on the lives of its viewers. However, a deeper look into the lives of modern families reveals a different story. At an early age, children form TV-viewing habits that many retain through adolescence and even into adulthood. They begin on a regular diet of Sesame Street, Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood and Barney "programs whose purpose is to create a positive influence, teaching concepts such as sharing, kindness and good manners while kids are still young enough to buy it. Once the "educational- programs lose their appeal, kids graduate to cartoons and action hero series such as Powerpuff Girls, Looney Tunes and Power Rangers. Although these entertainment-based shows usually don't claim to teach, their viewers continue to learn "even if it's little more than pseudo karate/kung fu fighting moves they play at with their friends. Throughout childhood, TV viewers continue in this pattern of watching and imitating much of what happens on their favorite shows. I am no exception. I have grown up watching TV, and its influence on my life is undeniable. At age five, my TV addiction got me into trouble when I tried to lick the knife I'd used to make a peanut butter sandwich. "But Mom, it's OK. Peewee Herman does it all the time!- I protested as my mother yanked it away and usurped my newly-earned knife-using privileges. Sadly, my profound lack of independent thought didn't end with the knife incident. For years, I bought into nearly every idea presented me via the TV, wanting every Barbie doll, Lego kit or Tonka truck advertised, and adopting ridiculously annoying phrases simply because my favorite cartoon character said them.
