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Television as Playmate
For
centuries, Bhutanese children have entertained themselves with
archery, singing traditional songs, and playing out of doors.
How have children changed since the arrival of their new "playmate,"
cable TV?
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Kinley Dorji
editor of Kuensel, Bhutan's only newspaper:
Soon after television, we started getting letters to
the editor for the newspaper from children who seemed very
hurt. These were children who were brought up in a very
benign Buddhist family and suddenly they were watching these
wrestling, boxing programs on television, and they were
writing to us asking why people were doing this. The letters
actually specifically asked about this World Wrestling Federation
program. Why are these big men standing there hitting each
other, what is the purpose of it? They didn't understand
it. They were very hurt. A few months later ... one of my
sons, seven years old, jumped on me early in the morning
on the bed and he says, "Hey, I am Triple H, you can be
Rock, and we are fighting." Suddenly these were new heroes
for our children. |
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Tintin
Dorji
Rinzy Dorji's youngest son:
When TV was not there, I used to play with my dog, but now
I just watch TV. ... The cat is Tom and mouse is Jerry, and
they fight amongst each other. The cat eats the mouse. That
is why I like it. |
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Damchoe
Dem
Rinzy Dorji's mother-in-law:
When all the violence is not there, then TV is good. My
grandchildren are so-so when it comes to studying. Their
dad has to tell them to study. If not, they will stay watching
TV the whole time. So they have become different than before.
Before we had TV, the kids used to listen and study. Now
with TV, studying has suffered a bit. |
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Nono
Dorji
Rinzy Dorji's eldest son:
When it's my exam time, I could not study because of thinking
about the cartoon characters and the superstars of the wrestling.
When my parents are gone, I watch TV for about one hour,
and when they come again, I go to my room and study. When
I am watching television, my favorite superstar is The Rock.
... Some of my friends pretend to be Triple H, and I pretend
to be Rock, and we just fight in the grass. One of my friends
will be the referee and sees who will win. |
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