July 27, 1961 - Parents were urged by a member of the Cabinet today to "get tough" with children who sit for hours "like a vegetable" watching television violence. The advice came from Abraham A. Ribicoff, Secretary of Health, Education and Welfare. "A child watches what he is permitted to watch," he said. Mr. Ribicoff said research had not established definitely whether violence on the screen led to similar behavior by the American youngster. But he made this comment: "If the youngster is permitted to sit like a vegetable, pursuing moronic murders and ceaseless crimes, he suffers, and his parents do too in the end." He urged the TV industry, "For heaven's sake, show the good as well as the seamy side of society."
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