A review by eupomene
The Plug-In Drug: Television, Computers, and Family Life by Marie Winn

3.0

Yes, this was the revised edition but much of it was original, I could tell, and still very relevant. I found this book to be quite a valuable read, if a bit depressing. I came to the book with already set opinions on television and young children so I suppose it was preaching to the choir, but what she sets out in here makes so much sense that readers with differing opinions could learn a lot, change their minds, have great discussions on the matter. The premise is that too many people place emphasis on the quality of the TV shows, that if the kids are watching decent shows the quantity of the TV time doesn't matter. Her point is that if your children are sitting in front of the TV all day, they are not learning to amuse themselves (in a less passive manner) -- and that it is addictive. The revised edition also discusses the impact of video games and computers.

My one complaint was a very definite whiff of blame placed on "working mothers" throughout the books, as a reason for the "decline of the family". Lovely, thanks for the sexism.