Family Time -- Published December 1, 2001

Steve Smith

The conversation with Daily Pilot Editor Tony Dodero two months ago

went something like this:

“Steve, would you be interested in writing about family issues from a

dad’s perspective?”

“I’d be thrilled,” I replied.

That was about it until I read Sunday’s letter from Newport Beach

resident Carol Leonard wondering whether I was going to write only about

families from now on and hoping that I was not being “pigeon holed” into

doing so. Leonard expressed appreciation for my views on many issues.

The letter first made me realize that I had not given Newport Beach

residents much credit for their various positions. Prior to reading

Leonard’s letter, I would have bet the farm that there was not a single

Newporter who would have sided with me on anything, strictly because I am

not in favor of building an international airport in El Toro.

So, shame on me for my assumption and a big “I’m sorry” to my friends,

neighbors and readers in Newport Beach such as Leonard who are clearly

able to distinguish the individual importance of local issues.

Those who have read this column for the more than three years I have

been writing it know that many times, my arguments center on whether

adult decisions are in the best interests of our children. So, far from

being pigeon holed, this new format is an attempt to see many of the same

key issues from the other side. Whether an airport or shopping center is

good or bad for children is a question we do not ask enough. “What’s best

for our kids?” is often a good starting point.

This format is, to me, a great responsibility, often more important

than musing about airports, shopping centers and job centers.

The village that is supposed to help watch our children has not been

doing so. This responsibility has been all but abdicated by many parents,

too busy to do anything but get through the day. As a result, we have

left the care and feeding of our children to people whose sole purpose is

to turn them into customers. So with that in mind, I offer my list of

demands; a summary of my community concerns, community being anything or

anyone, anywhere, that comes in contact with our children.

1. I want to be able shop at a clothing store for my 11-year-old

daughter that stocks more than just the latest fashions in “gangsta” chic

or makes her look like a tramp.

2. I want supermarkets to start covering up magazines in the checkout

aisle that scream the word “sex” or show barely dressed women or men.

These magazine covers support the notion that sex is solely a bodily

function, and it’s a very bad message to give to kids. There are too many

of these on the racks. Kids in line with their parents are as captive an

audience as mom and dad, but the subject should often be rated “PG-13” or

“R.” If we can’t get them covered up, at least provide us with a

“magazine-free” aisle.

3. I want a movie theater in our community -- just one, for Pete’s

sake -- to show G- or PG-rated movies all the time. The screaming

successes of “Monsters, Inc.” and “Harry Potter” should send a clear

message to someone in the theater business that we are crying out for

more family movies. And if we run out of current movies, show some old

ones.

4. I want school boards everywhere to establish and enforce a dress

code for teachers.

5. I want a real TV family hour, not the one that exists now, which is

a bone tossed to the Tipper Gore crowd every few years just to get them

off their backs for a few months. I have little hope of this happening

because the string-pullers in the television industry don’t give a hoot

about your kids or mine and so protecting them from graphic language and

images is not even close to being a concern.

6. I want our political leaders to straighten up and fly right or get

out of office so we can support the parents who teach kids about the

consequences of inappropriate behavior.

Gary Condit cheated on his wife and apparently asked his girlfriend to

lie about it.

He has shamed the U.S. House of Representatives and should leave

office. And while parents all over town tell their kids what will happen

to them if they drink and drive, school board member Jim Ferryman, a

recent drunk driving suspect, continues to undermine them by remaining in

office.

Ferryman should resign too.

I believe most of Newport Beach would agree with this list.

* STEVE SMITH is a Costa Mesa resident and freelance writer. Readers

may leave a message for him on the Daily Pilot hotline at (949) 642-6086.