Late last month, an L.A. Times television critic wrote an article about how television is going back to its bygone years of “family-friendly” programming, citing Glee, Two and a Half Men, The Middle, and Modern Family as examples. Cougar Town was put forth as a PG-13 option for families.

The Parents Television Council (PTC) emphatically disagrees with this critic apparently.

The critic stated in her article that “family-friendly’ is possibly the most subjective term in the English language (after “a woman’s size 6″) and the standards of language, violence and sexuality are, like that size 6, much more elastic than they were 20 or 10 or even five years ago.[...] But while no one’s saying that The Wonderful World of Disney is back on prime time, two significant things have returned: a Nick and Nora detective sensibility, and actual children, who have been strangely MIA pretty much since Malcolm in the Middle ended four years ago.”

The parental advocacy group begs to differ.

 They believe the shows on today show Hollywood doesn’t remember what’s appropriate to be showing children anymore.  ”There seems to be a big difference in what Hollywood will put out there as family friendly entertainment, or tell us is family friendly entertainment, and how it is actually perceived by the rest of the country,” said the PTC’s Director of Communications and Public Education, Melissa Henson. “Very few of our members would feel comfortable allowing their children to watch most of the programs that were cited in that article as being evidence that the networks are turning back the clocks and introducing more family friendly programs.”

The PTC also attacked Glee, saying that the show is full of graphic sexual themes involving high school students, recreational drug use, and teens who “lie and manipulate”.  In defense of one of my favorite shows ever, the show is about high school students and the issues they deal with.  Sorry PTC, but just because kids don’t watch it on television doesn’t mean they won’t be exposed to this material every day.

As a parent you are expected to care for, protect, and raise children to be functioning adults in society.  Each parent’s method is different and it’s not up to me to tell someone that they aren’t raising their child correctly.  If I had children who were old enough to comprehend the material on these shows, I most certainly would allow them to watch The Middle, Modern Family, and Glee.  The issues the characters face are not hugely abnormal and I’d rather be there to explain my opinions to my kids than have them learn about the subjects without any aid from me.  However, because of the nature of the programming, Cougar Town would not be allowed until they’re older (16 years old most likely).

What would you do in the situation?  Do you find these shows to be inappropriate for younger demographics?