Effects of Television on Children of Middle Class Families in Karachi-Across-Sectional Study

Effects of Television on Children of Middle Class Families in Karachi-Across-Sectional Study

Title of Thesis
EFFECTS OF TELEVISION ON CHILDREN OF MIDDLE CLASS FAMILIES IN KARACHI-ACROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
Author(s)
Nisar Ahmad Zuberi
Institute/University/Department Details
University of Karachi
Session
1992
Subject
Mass Communication
Number of Pages
332
Keywords (Extracted from title, table of contents and abstract of thesis)
television, children, middle class families, karachi, televiewing, televiewer, programme

Abstract
Television has become a significant social phenomenon in Pakistan. Though not yet investigated empirically, TV viewing is ,generally believed to generate social forces of undeniable influence. With more than 1.5 million sets in use and about seven hours of daily transmission, the number of viewers is now estimated to be over 12 million. These statistics may be modest by international standard but these are not insignificant in a country where' the rate of literacy and per capita income are still very low.

During the last 27 years (1964-91), the growth and grip of this powerful medium in Pakistan may be understood by the fact that various governments emphatically used it for image building. Whatever may have been the level of opposition to this practice, no regime dared think of democratizing television. Disregarding TV's one-sided policy in the fields of news and current affairs, common people, specially children and women worship it for the entertainment it provides. It is this part of daily programme, which gets full attention of the people. One might say, whatever impact television is able to inculcate, it is because of various plays, films and musical shows etc. which are telecast everyday.

Like every other country, the most regular viewers of TV in Pakistan also, are children who are roughly 45 per cent of the over 12 viewers. This largest single segment of the audience, has been receiving various messages through television in an environment where means of recreation are extremely limited. Since future belongs...

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