ERIC Number: EJ934289
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Sep
Pages: 22
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0192-513X
EISSN: N/A
Only Two Hours? A Qualitative Study of the Challenges Parents Perceive in Restricting Child Television Time
Evans, Cortney A.; Jordan, Amy B.; Horner, Jennifer
Journal of Family Issues, v32 n9 p1223-1244 Sep 2011
This study examines parents' and children's reaction to the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation to limit children's television (TV) viewing to 2 hours a day or less. To better understand the challenges faced by parents who would seek to adhere to the guidelines, we conducted qualitative small group interviews with 60 parent/child dyads from each of the following three age groups: 6 to 7, 9 to 10, and 12 to 13 years (N = 180 children and 180 parents). Parents and children were interviewed separately and transcripts were thematically analyzed using Atlas.ti. Results indicate three salient challenges: (a) limiting children's TV time will cause conflict in the home because of children's anger at parents' rules and increased bickering between siblings; (b) replacing TV as an entertainer takes time away from parents and requires monetary and community resources that are not available; and (c) TV is seen as a beneficial presence in the home, offering entertainment, free babysitting, and educational opportunities.
Descriptors: Television Viewing, Siblings, Educational Opportunities, Childrens Television, Community Resources, Qualitative Research, Parenting Styles, Parent Attitudes, Childhood Attitudes, Guidelines, Interviews, Conflict, Family Relationship
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A