I have to disagree and say none at all. Your best bet is to cancel cable, sell the TV completely, and learn to live without it. You'll have a happier, closer, more engaged family for it, and your son will develop a more creative, capable mind.
Almost everything on TV is noise, not signal. Anything that is not outright dumbed-down, lowest-common-denominator trash is just mental masturbation - interesting, in a passive sort of way, designed to hold your attention long enough to bombard you with mindless, psychologically manipulative ads every few minutes.
Like watching sports on TV? Go play them in the yard with your son instead. Like 'learning' (not mastering) things on the Discovery/History/Etc. channel? Try spending the day in the local bookstore or library instead (one of my favorite things to do). Want news? Last place you'll find it is on Britney-obsessed TV. Need some downtime to absorb knowledge? There are much better alternatives than TV. Want to wind down in the evening before going to bed? Go for a run/walk/bikeride around the block, stop to chat with the neighbors, etc. Have some time to kill while wife makes dinner? Go help her instead, make it a family affair, get creative. Learn to converse with your wife and son about real things, that will pay off when he's a teen and real things become difficult to talk about.
Real learning and development of expertise does not take place by passively watching TV. It takes place from actively reading and doing. TV is an easy subsitute for living and learning. It is passive entertainment that requires no concentration or mental perseverance. It is an obstacle to the development of real thinking, learning, relationships, and conversational skills.
In this case your wife - and her friends - are abslutely right. It's like a Rich Dad Poor Dad dichotomy - the smart parents steer their children toward better use of their time and minds, and eventually reap the rewards that give them an edge in life.
None.
I have to disagree and say none at all. Your best bet is to cancel cable, sell the TV completely, and learn to live without it. You'll have a happier, closer, more engaged family for it, and your son will develop a more creative, capable mind.
Almost everything on TV is noise, not signal. Anything that is not outright dumbed-down, lowest-common-denominator trash is just mental masturbation - interesting, in a passive sort of way, designed to hold your attention long enough to bombard you with mindless, psychologically manipulative ads every few minutes.
Like watching sports on TV? Go play them in the yard with your son instead. Like 'learning' (not mastering) things on the Discovery/History/Etc. channel? Try spending the day in the local bookstore or library instead (one of my favorite things to do). Want news? Last place you'll find it is on Britney-obsessed TV. Need some downtime to absorb knowledge? There are much better alternatives than TV. Want to wind down in the evening before going to bed? Go for a run/walk/bikeride around the block, stop to chat with the neighbors, etc. Have some time to kill while wife makes dinner? Go help her instead, make it a family affair, get creative. Learn to converse with your wife and son about real things, that will pay off when he's a teen and real things become difficult to talk about.
Real learning and development of expertise does not take place by passively watching TV. It takes place from actively reading and doing. TV is an easy subsitute for living and learning. It is passive entertainment that requires no concentration or mental perseverance. It is an obstacle to the development of real thinking, learning, relationships, and conversational skills.
In this case your wife - and her friends - are abslutely right. It's like a Rich Dad Poor Dad dichotomy - the smart parents steer their children toward better use of their time and minds, and eventually reap the rewards that give them an edge in life.