(May 1, 2001) — Modern psychology and even common logic say that parents have a direct influence on a child’s ethics and stylistic tastes. So when parents don’t take responsibility for a child’s actions due to their influence, or lack thereof, the finger is pointed at a television program rather than the parents themselves. While this logic seems extremely flawed, it seems to be the case with Thomas Hitz, a twelve-year-old boy who imitated a dangerous stunt from the MTV program Jackass. MTV and Viacom, MTV’s parent company, have come under fire from high profile individuals such as Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn, who claims that MTV is directly responsible for this near-fatal incident, despite the clearly displayed warnings that appear prior to and during the program. The parents of Hitz can hardly keep themselves away from nationally publicized television programs, such as Good Morning America and 20/20, in their political crusade to end media violence. The diluted minds of these parents fail to realize that the actions of their child were not the result of an ill-driven television program, but rather bad parenting. Where in the world were the parents at the time of the incident? Furthermore, why weren’t they aware of the fact that their child was watching such a violent program? These questions are perfectly sound and logical, yet neither of the parents seems to actualize these questions. Jackass displays clear warnings throughout the show. Additionally, MTV takes proper precaution by labeling the program with a TV-MA rating and airing it at 10 p.m., far past the bedtimes of young, susceptible children. MTV should not be required to pull the show off the air or air it at a later time just because of the stupidity of a twelve-year-old boy or bad parenting. If that boy didn’t have enough common sense to not set himself on fire, then he alone is responsible for the third degree burns, not MTV or Jackass. As for his parents, they should have been aware that their child was watching this program. If they are so against media violence then he shouldn’t have been watching it in the first place. MTV caters to a very large audience, mainly young adults–keyword “adults.” It’s frankly unfair that a program that provides millions with comical entertainment has to defend itself because of a case of stupidity and bad parenting.