Marriage gets little respect on network TV shows that instead revel in the pleasures of extramarital and even kinky sex, according to a study released Tuesday.

The study by the Parents Television Council includes a strongly worded condemnation of prime-time TV, contending it “seems to be actively seeking to undermine marriage by consistently painting it in a negative light.”

Even more troubling, according to the watchdog group, is what it characterized as TV’s recent obsession with what it termed “outre” or bizarre behavior, including partner swapping and pedophilia.

Though it’s often arbitrary to imply that, for example, a 17-year-old is more equipped to handle extremely graphic material than a 15-year-old (by which I mean that NOBODY should be watching “Hostel”), I think that ratings become more and more appropriate and necessary as we discuss younger and younger age groups, if only to avoid traumatizing kids with old Twilight Zone episodes (I had nightmares for years).

It’s not the strength of the material per se that’s the problem, but the way that it’s treated. Merely depicting destructive behavior, for example, may not be damaging, provided that it’s not glamorized or unintentionally (or intentionally) endorsed.

Still, I think it’s something of an urban legend that there’s a hard-coded rule regarding the loosening of movie ratings. Mainly due to the lack of a PG-13 rating until the mid-80s, PG-rated movies from the 80s tend to be far more questionable than the PG-rated films of today. (Then again, that’s probably because the PG-13 rating has become so accepted that the MPAA throws it out just to be safe.) The language, situations and humor of Ghostbusters would never fly with “Parental Guidance” merely slapped on it, and Raiders of the Lost Ark would be a “hard” PG-13 at least.

Still, it’s plain that the PG-13 rating is quickly becoming the most commercially-viable rating, sucking up stuff that would have received harsher ratings (or even a PG) a few years back. A movie can be filled with the most brutal violence and, provided it occurs in a fantasy or sci-fi setting (LOTR and Narnia, i’m looking at you) get a pass and avoid that toxic R. And the ratings games that studios play to avoid the NC-17 rating are even more ridiculous.

You darn kids, with your sex and your drugs and your rock and roll! Bring back morality and perspective into our entertainment. Thank you and g’night.

It is easy to choose to escape the entertainment if one chooses. My problem is the hundreds and on Monday the thousand or more email in my spam folder at work.

Unfortunately some important email goes there too. I used to look at the subject lines to find it. Anymore, I just dump it without even looking because just the words are offensive.

Boy is that ever true! I think most children are born naturally curious but it can get stifled when they are not guided or encouraged. TV has become an all too easy babysitter and boredom “cure”. If we could raise our children (and ourselves) to not depend so much on entertainment, maybe the “bad media choices” wouldn’t be as big of a problem.

I’m curious: have you heard of the Covenant Eyes accountability program? I work for Covenant Eyes. What makes it unique is that it gives you the option to simply monitor your Internet surfing, filter it, or both. A good filtering program is very helpful for children and families, but a good monitoring program is great for adults and children alike who want to be accountable to others about where they go online.

We offer a unique “accountability software” program for those who are ensnared by Internet pornography. The software isn’t a filter; it simply monitors where someone goes online, scoring websites for objectionable content, and sending a regular report to accountability partners of that person’s choosing. Tens of thousands have started using our software in the last 8 years and have testified to how building deeper, more vulnerable accountability partnerships has set them free from the grip of pornography. The software has been a helpful for many to build self-control with their online use—the software is a constant reminder that their choices online will affect them and others they love.

“all you that are desirous to follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked, and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things…” Alma 5:57.

As for movies, I’ve long thought that the rating system doesn’t give an adequate tool for me. Finally, I have to have the backbone to walk out of a movie I don’t want to watch.

And that brings us to my favorite: Why is it that we shun images literally portrayed on the screen so strongly, but not the images that are going on in our head, when we watch a movie; for example, we know what’s going on and imagine it, although we don’t see it with our eyes? There is so much in current entertainment that condone or even glorify violence, adultery, fornication, etc. without portraying it literally.

Personally, to me, the biggest problem with youth today is “brain mush” which comes from constant, thoughtless entertainment. Children should be taught to be curious about the world around them and should spend more time reading and researching than they should being entertained. The same is true for us adults.

As a youth, I spent my time exploring the woods above my house, learning what the tracks are of various animals, what different species of birds looked like and looking for unique rocks and fossils. I’m a big believer in exploration. Part of growing up, is learning how to learn on your own, and not just parrot what you hear from your parents or authority figures. Parents may guide, but in the end, it is the children must learn.

The whole idea of age-appropriate material is kind of misguided… sure, there are subjects we typically don’t introduce to children, but generally if its too gory or too sexual for a kid, then why should we want it as adults? Are we somehow “better” than them? Do things get less bad with age?

The scriptures teach us that we should become as children in our hearts.

Good thoughts.