Television has a powerful influence of developing value systems and shaping behavior. The fact that television is universally accessible to all different types of people, especially children, is quite upsetting. While I spent hours observing different types of programs, I realized how fortunate I was not to have been brought up in a household where television was at the center of our family. I can imagine the difficulty a parent must have when imposing television restrictions upon their child. What's actually out there that poses such a dangerous threat?
             As soon as I pressed the "on" switch, I entered a world where narcissism and hedonism were placed on a pedestal. Family and tradition appeared to be nonexistent. Sex, violence, drugs, loss of inhibitions, and lack of moralistic principles is what you can find by channel surfing today. The first show I watched was Sorority Life, a reality television show on MTV which follows six college girls as they pledge into sisterhood. What this show actually consisted of was six immature fledglings who spend their days arguing with one another, and their nights getting intoxicated and carelessly sleeping with guys. Many young idealistic girls stay up late to watch these girls whom they idolize. They emulate the actions presented before them, and therefore they will become the future "sorority sisters".
             As I switched to the Lifetime Channel, I was hoping for a good old-fashioned tearjerker. I was in the mood to watch a sappy, stereotypical love story with a predictable happy ending. The first scene I viewed was of an innocent high school student being sexually pressured by another classmate. I forgot that this world does not honor virginity or respect a person who chooses to live a chaste life. The social acceptance of promiscuity and casual sex are recurring themes on each network. I later watched Friends, and saw the episode when Ross and Rachel were "on ...