A response by a concerned lady regarding Mediacorp's reply (on Thurs) to my letter (on Tues) was printed in Straits Times Forum page today:
Why harp on 7 deadly sins? Focus on virtues
MEDIACORP'S Ms Han Chuan Quee, in reply to Mr Kelvin Lau's letter, 'TV show shouldn't plug premarital sex' (ST, Sept 13), said that the programme What Women Want, Really was a) 'an attempt to give the topic a fresh new look'; b) 'to give the singles a hearing' as a married couple's views had been included; c) the target audience was adult decision-makers, and d) to 'appeal to professionals, executives and businessmen who form two thirds' of the viewers.
If this were so, why was the programme shown on a Sunday at 3.33 in the afternoon, when children, including teenagers, would be watching? Why was it not scheduled late at night when presumably only adults would be the viewers?
I can understand why a 'fresh, new look is needed' as the seven deadly sins have been in existence for as long as man has been on the earth. But why on earth do we need to focus on them when the world is in dire need of life-giving virtues - kindness, compassion, altruistic love, honesty, faithfulness, integrity, loyalty, sincerity, thoughtfulness and others - the lack of which is being seen more and more in today's society?
Is the bottom line dollars and cents because businesses highlighted in the programme and MediaCorp News will definitely profit by the exposure, even if it's at the expense of moral damage to easily influenced youths?
With hotels already offering special room rates for couples - mostly unmarried - on Valentine's Day and other packages, there is already a lackadaisical attitude towards premarital sex and cohabitation.
There is, in fact, a dire need for the opposite - a promotion of the virtues of virginity before marriage, faithfulness after marriage and a great sense of commitment to whatever a person takes on, be it a job, a service, a given task or a vocation.
This can be achieved if the focus is on others instead of oneself. We are all born with the instinct for self-preservation but for society to survive we must look out for others too. The majority of advertisements have the same mantra - I, I, I, what I need, what I want, what I like; and all these must come now.
So borrow to get what you want, go for your trip now and pay later, buy that expensive car now even if you can't afford it, etc.
Our society needs to change its focus and the media can be a force for change. For a start, how about a programme highlighting couples who have been faithfully married for many years and their secrets to keeping love and passion going? That would be rivetting. To stay in love for a long time is a difficult feat, and should be applauded.
Patricia Maria de Souza (Mdm)
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Went for some retail therapy at Orchard today, yes, men need retail therapy too (e.g. Sehsuan has already placed his order for the new 4GB IPod Nano).
Bought a CD (Nicola Conte's Other Directions) and a pair of Clarks Originals - Desert Trek. Its mahogany beeswax leather looks aged, that's the way I like it; I love the natural rubber sole too (they call it plantation crepe).
Why harp on 7 deadly sins? Focus on virtues
MEDIACORP'S Ms Han Chuan Quee, in reply to Mr Kelvin Lau's letter, 'TV show shouldn't plug premarital sex' (ST, Sept 13), said that the programme What Women Want, Really was a) 'an attempt to give the topic a fresh new look'; b) 'to give the singles a hearing' as a married couple's views had been included; c) the target audience was adult decision-makers, and d) to 'appeal to professionals, executives and businessmen who form two thirds' of the viewers.
If this were so, why was the programme shown on a Sunday at 3.33 in the afternoon, when children, including teenagers, would be watching? Why was it not scheduled late at night when presumably only adults would be the viewers?
I can understand why a 'fresh, new look is needed' as the seven deadly sins have been in existence for as long as man has been on the earth. But why on earth do we need to focus on them when the world is in dire need of life-giving virtues - kindness, compassion, altruistic love, honesty, faithfulness, integrity, loyalty, sincerity, thoughtfulness and others - the lack of which is being seen more and more in today's society?
Is the bottom line dollars and cents because businesses highlighted in the programme and MediaCorp News will definitely profit by the exposure, even if it's at the expense of moral damage to easily influenced youths?
With hotels already offering special room rates for couples - mostly unmarried - on Valentine's Day and other packages, there is already a lackadaisical attitude towards premarital sex and cohabitation.
There is, in fact, a dire need for the opposite - a promotion of the virtues of virginity before marriage, faithfulness after marriage and a great sense of commitment to whatever a person takes on, be it a job, a service, a given task or a vocation.
This can be achieved if the focus is on others instead of oneself. We are all born with the instinct for self-preservation but for society to survive we must look out for others too. The majority of advertisements have the same mantra - I, I, I, what I need, what I want, what I like; and all these must come now.
So borrow to get what you want, go for your trip now and pay later, buy that expensive car now even if you can't afford it, etc.
Our society needs to change its focus and the media can be a force for change. For a start, how about a programme highlighting couples who have been faithfully married for many years and their secrets to keeping love and passion going? That would be rivetting. To stay in love for a long time is a difficult feat, and should be applauded.
Patricia Maria de Souza (Mdm)
----------------------------------
Went for some retail therapy at Orchard today, yes, men need retail therapy too (e.g. Sehsuan has already placed his order for the new 4GB IPod Nano).
Bought a CD (Nicola Conte's Other Directions) and a pair of Clarks Originals - Desert Trek. Its mahogany beeswax leather looks aged, that's the way I like it; I love the natural rubber sole too (they call it plantation crepe).
