--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So I ask you: whose job is it in this…" description: "\"“So I ask you: whose job is it in this country to wake up comatose parents? Someone better do it soon because knowing television's potential for harm a..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/jim-trelease-22415_children_so-i-ask-you-whose-job-is-it-in-this-cou_3219529.jpg" --- # So I ask you: whose job is it in this country to wake up… ![“So I ask you: whose job is it in this country to wake up comatose parents? Someone better do it soon because knowing television's potential for harm and keeping that knowledge to ourselves instead of sharing it with parents amounts to covering up a land mine on a busy street.” quote by Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/jim-trelease-22415_children_so-i-ask-you-whose-job-is-it-in-this-cou_3219529.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/jim-trelease-22415_children_so-i-ask-you-whose-job-is-it-in-this-cou_3219529.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b13/jim-trelease-22415_children_so-i-ask-you-whose-job-is-it-in-this-cou_3219529.jpg) > ““So I ask you: whose job is it in this country to wake up comatose parents? Someone better do it soon because knowing television's potential for harm and keeping that knowledge to ourselves instead of sharing it with parents amounts to covering up a land mine on a busy street.”” [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Parents must be warned about TV's harmful effects; hiding knowledge is like covering a dangerous hidden. **In simple terms:** Parents need to know TV risks. Key Takeaway Speak up about media dangers. Themes parenting media literacy responsibility Mood concerned urgent Type educational advocacy When to use this quote - family discussions - school workshops - policy advocacy Key Concepts public health information ethics child safety Questions to Reflect On - What steps can parents take today? - How can society better inform families? A Different Perspective Parents may lack resources to act. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Television](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/television/) ## Related quotes > [I'm very humble in terms of knowing that television is an extraordinary collaborative medium and that one person alone cannot make a great TV…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-ryan/i-m-very-humble-in-terms-of-knowing-that-television-is-an/) [Shawn Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-ryan/) > [It's wrong," he says. "It doesn't matter if your parents are in a better place, they aren't here with you, and that's wrong, Tris.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/it-s-wrong-he-says-it-doesn-t-matter-if-your-parents-are-in-a-better/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I can never understand why people seem to think that growing up with unhappy parents is better than growing up with a happy single…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-morgan/i-can-never-understand-why-people-seem-to-think-that-growing-up-with/) [Sarah Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-morgan/) > [“Parents aren’t so different from us kids; they just want some help from us when we can give it. I think kids would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-schott/parents-aren-t-so-different-from-us-kids-they-just-want-some-help/) [Terry Schott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-schott/) > [If kids really made all the parents better, there wouldn't be crazy kids in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-cassel/if-kids-really-made-all-the-parents-better-there-wouldn-t-be-crazy/) [Vincent Cassel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-cassel/) > [Parents do the best they can. But my parents are better grandparents than they were parents.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teri-hatcher/parents-do-the-best-they-can-but-my-parents-are-better-grandparents/) [Teri Hatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teri-hatcher/) > [There is nothing more valuable than great classroom instruction. But let's stop putting the whole burden on teachers. We also need better parents. Better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-friedman/there-is-nothing-more-valuable-than-great-classroom-instruction-but/) [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) > [“Increasing our self-awareness and making conscious decisions about our actions and reactions are the first steps toward powerful life change. This is how we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-joelle-alexander/increasing-our-self-awareness-and-making-conscious-decisions-about/) Jessica Joelle Alexander > [The reality is, if you were fortunate to be born to rich parents, you have a better chance of succeeding in life. And that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naftali-bennett/the-reality-is-if-you-were-fortunate-to-be-born-to-rich-parents-you/) [Naftali Bennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naftali-bennett/) > [Spanking doesn't lead to anything in the child, other than anger, a sense of frustration and humiliation. And parents can do better. I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-hannity/spanking-doesn-t-lead-to-anything-in-the-child-other-than-anger-a/) [Sean Hannity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-hannity/) > [There’s a belief now that the problem with our schools is parents, that if we just had better parents we would have better performing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rhee/there-s-a-belief-now-that-the-problem-with-our-schools-is-parents/) [Michelle Rhee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rhee/) > [The only reason I always try to meet and know the parents better is because it helps me to forgive their children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-johannot/the-only-reason-i-always-try-to-meet-and-know-the-parents-better-is/) Louis Johannot > [Since I worked with Danny Boyle before on Slumdog Millionaire, we have great success and everything. So, when I first got the script and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-r-rahman/since-i-worked-with-danny-boyle-before-on-slumdog-millionaire-we-have/) [A. R. Rahman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-r-rahman/) > [“Within the pages of books, I've journeyed to Mandalay, the Milky Way and Santa Fe, without once having to leave my armchair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-ansbro/within-the-pages-of-books-i-ve-journeyed-to-mandalay-the-milky-way/) [Kevin Ansbro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-ansbro/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) ## More by Jim Trelease > [The more you read, the better you get, the more better you get, the more you like it; and the more you like it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/the-more-you-read-the-better-you-get-the-more-better-you-get-the-more/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Skill sheets, workbooks, basal reader, flash cards are not enough. To convey meaning you need someone sharing the meaning and flavor of real stories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/skill-sheets-workbooks-basal-reader-flash-cards-are-not-enough-to/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [“Sector 7 by David Wiesner (Clarion, 1997)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/sector-7-by-david-wiesner-clarion-1997/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Story is the vehicle we use to make sense of our lives in a world that often defies logic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/story-is-the-vehicle-we-use-to-make-sense-of-our-lives-in-a-world/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [You became a reader because you saw and heard someone you admired enjoying the experience, someone led you to the world of books even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/you-became-a-reader-because-you-saw-and-heard-someone-you-admired/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Imagine what our culture would be like if Americans sold ideas, words, and books with the same creativity we use to sell designer jeans,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/imagine-what-our-culture-would-be-like-if-americans-sold-ideas-words/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Reading aloud is the best advertisement because it works. It allows a child to sample the delights of reading and conditions him to believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/reading-aloud-is-the-best-advertisement-because-it-works-it-allows-a/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [We have instant pudding, instant photos, instant coffee—but there are no instant adults.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/we-have-instant-pudding-instant-photos-instant-coffee-but-there-are/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [“This is not a book about teaching a child how to read; it's about teaching a child to want to read. There's an education…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/this-is-not-a-book-about-teaching-a-child-how-to-read-it-s-about/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Each day millions of children arrive in American classrooms in search of more than reading and math skills. They are looking for a light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/each-day-millions-of-children-arrive-in-american-classrooms-in-search/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Common sense should tell us that reading is the ultimate weapon--destroying ignorance, poverty and despair before they can destroyus. A nation that doesn't read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/common-sense-should-tell-us-that-reading-is-the-ultimate-weapon/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Neither books nor people have Velcro Sides -- there must be a bonding agent -- someone who attaches child to book.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/neither-books-nor-people-have-velcro-sides-there-must-be-a-bonding/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Amid the push to excellence, with its measurement and accountability, it is easy to lose sight of a key ingredient in reading a book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/amid-the-push-to-excellence-with-its-measurement-and-accountability/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [Students who read the most also read the best, achieve the most, and stay in school the longest. Conversely, those who dont read much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/students-who-read-the-most-also-read-the-best-achieve-the-most-and/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) > [“What happened to the classics?" you may ask. "Don't you believe in reading great literature to children?" Nothing happened to the classics-but something happened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-trelease/what-happened-to-the-classics-you-may-ask-don-t-you-believe-in/) [Jim Trelease](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) [Explore all 27 Jim Trelease quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-trelease/) ## More Children quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [Behind every successful child is an adult who believed in him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/behind-every-successful-child-is-an-adult-who-believed-in-him/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [I believe in freedom to do what you want if you aren't hurting others, but pictures of obese protesters giving their children big gulps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-defranco/i-believe-in-freedom-to-do-what-you-want-if-you-aren-t-hurting-others/) [Philip DeFranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-defranco/) > [If the audience likes your work, if they like you, they don't think whether you are married or have children or not. I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dimple-kapadia/if-the-audience-likes-your-work-if-they-like-you-they-don-t-think/) [Dimple Kapadia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dimple-kapadia/) > [It doesnt seem to me strange that children should like the macabre, the sensational, and the forbidden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-hecht/it-doesnt-seem-to-me-strange-that-children-should-like-the-macabre/) [Anthony Hecht](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-hecht/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [My embarrassing confession is that my father is a 'Camelot: The Musical' obsessive. So as a child, when we were going to visit relatives…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-chibnall/my-embarrassing-confession-is-that-my-father-is-a-camelot-the-musical/) [Chris Chibnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-chibnall/) > [I have many who keep me going, I am very fortunate in this sense. There is nothing like a child who knows more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-cooper/i-have-many-who-keep-me-going-i-am-very-fortunate-in-this-sense-there/) [Floyd Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-cooper/) > [My school was one of the most beautiful places a child can grow up in. You are surrounded by nature - cats, dogs, birds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amala-akkineni/my-school-was-one-of-the-most-beautiful-places-a-child-can-grow-up-in/) [Amala Akkineni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amala-akkineni/) > [A lesser complaint: hair extensions. There are moments on 'All My Children' when half the women actors, young and old, seem to be afflicted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/a-lesser-complaint-hair-extensions-there-are-moments-on-all-my/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [As a child, I had a lot of older gay men taking care of me. There's a trust there. I feel like little girls…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-cho/as-a-child-i-had-a-lot-of-older-gay-men-taking-care-of-me-there-s-a/) [Margaret Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-cho/) > [If my child had prejudice in his head, I'd be ashamed. I would see it as my failure as a parent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/salman-rushdie/if-my-child-had-prejudice-in-his-head-i-d-be-ashamed-i-would-see-it/) [Salman Rushdie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/salman-rushdie/) > [“Children's lives are always beginning and adults' lives are always ending. Or is it the opposite? 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