Parents and Television

I’m sick and tired of parents blaming television shows for their own lack of parental skills. Yesterday’s villain was “The Simpsons”; today’s is “Beavis and Butt-head.”

In Tom Shales’ recent denouncement of “Beavis and Butt-head” (TV Times, Oct. 17), he would have us believe that a parent, who allowed her 5-year-old son to set fire to his 2-year-old sister, should rightly hold a cartoon responsible for this tragedy.

I would ask Mr. Shales: “What kind of parent allows a 5-year-old access to matches or a lighter?” Face it folks, that type of parenting , or “non-parenting,” is the reason this country is in the mess it is.

Michael Allen, North Hollywood

CBS Shows Courage

Hats off to CBS for having the courage to jump through the fire ring of intolerance, hatred and homophobia that burns fervently throughout society. Airing “Other Mothers” (“CBS Schoolbreak Special,” Oct. 12) was brave and worthy of extreme merit. Furthermore, aiming the program at our society’s youth was deserving of praise as well.

Jeff Levinson, Los Angeles

Unlike the narrow-minded people who wrote about the “Other Mothers” “Schoolbreak Special,” I applaud CBS for having the courage to show it, and I applaud all those involved on both sides of the camera.

When are people going to wake up and realize that sexuality has nothing to do with raising kids?

I’d rather be raised by loving, gay parents than by straight parents who beat, sexually abuse or abandon me. Unfortunately, because of the prejudices of our society, there are many more of the latter than the former.

Pamela Heaton, Redondo Beach