Defying Experts: Bedroom TV Stays!
Do you have a TV in your bedroom? We do. It was installed there a few years ago in preparation for my back surgery recovery. It has stayed there ever since. Yes, in the face of the experts that rail against it, we are keeping the TV in the bedroom. We like it there: damn the consequences.
Note: We watch pretty rarely – never the news – usually movie - maybe a few times a month. I think moderation here is key to why it works for us.
Consequences? If you haven’t heard, many studies have been done and many, many psychologists speak of the numerous problems (insomnia, obesity, lower grades) with kids having TVs in their rooms (they are outlawed for my kids’ bedrooms), but how about adults? What effect does it have on couples?
Well, one report I read found that Italians (the study was done in Italy) with a TV in the bedroom have sex at least half as many times per month (one article said 7 times down to 1.5, another said from 4 to 2…) as their no-bedroom–TV peers. Yikes!
Another study (in Osaka, Japan) said that people perceive they get less sleep if they have a TV in their room. I don’t know what that means.
Discussion
phd-
Sounds reasonable. I'm totally with you.
However some people get a little high and mighty about it. Kind of snobbish even - like a TV in the BR is gauche!
I say, they don't know what they're missing. But on the other hand, I don't know what I'm missing in their bedrooms!
Take Care and thanks for the comments - Pauline
"Another study (in Osaka, Japan) said that people perceive they get less sleep if they have a TV in their room. I don’t know what that means."
Usually this means they asked people to recall, generally, whether they are getting more or less sleep. As opposed to (better) survey research which has people record their sleep hours in a journal and then compare TV vs. TV-less bedrooms.
I was opposed to TV in bedrooms, too, but we caved when we got a new family room TV. I've decided to NOT make a habit of viewing routinely from bed, such as typical night time TV fare (The Tonight Show, etc). I reserve it for movies, like you do. I like the cuddle-while-watching, too. We don't get that watching from the family room.
So I think its all in how you regulate your bedroom TV viewing. Most of the experts are warning off the HABIT, not occasional viewing. That's my guess.
Well, I guess the only tidbit I have to offer to the "no" column is that doctors consider it poor "sleep hygiene." Which is not news to you, I imagine, but I love the sound of it anyway.
Otherwise, you make a good case. Are we going to try it? Not a chance. :-) But you have at least opened my mind a tad, which seems like it should be a good thing.