TV and the Black Child: What Black Children Say about the Shows They Watch

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of Black TV programs on a group of Black children in central North Carolina. Inverviews with 78 7-, 10-, and 12-year-old children concerning their TV preferences indicated a strong preference for predominantly Black programs, the most popular of which was "Good Times." After viewing a popular episode of the show, 50% of the children in dicated that the show reflected negatively on Black people. The remaining 50% thought the show made Black people look good. Older children were better than the younger children in deducing and remembering certain motives and emotions communicated by the characters. The results of the study are discussed in terms of the potential influence that Black situation commedies can have on the role-modeling, socialization, and self-esteem of Black children.