If the environment affected inherited characteristics, then our kids would become televisions, according to a recent survey.

A study by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Children Now found that more children under the age of 11 watch more TV between 7 and 8 p.m. than on Saturday mornings or weekday afternoons.

Everyone knows what comes on during the prime-time hour, and everyone knows what is shown on Saturday mornings.

The study conducted by communications Professor Dale Kunkel of the University of California surveyed 122 hours of network programming and more than 182 shows in the past 20 years.

He found that 75 percent of what is known as “family hour programming” contains some sexual content.

And while some have raised concerns over the exposure kids may be getting to sexual-related content, we have other questions.

Where are the kids’ parents when they’re watching these TV shows? Why are they watching TV late at night?

And are they doing so while not monitored by parents or responsible adult supervisors? Why aren’t they outside playing or reading or helping to clean up the house instead of watching so much TV?

We’re not saying to take out all the sex in TV shows, because it’s part of life.

And we’re not saying that they should show people having sex every second.

But sex shouldn’t be taboo, and if kids are watching shows with sexual content their parents should be present. The parent should make the decision.

Television can be an educational tool, and an entertainment tool for children when regulated. But the government shouldn’t control what is displayed on TV and the responsibility shouldn’t be ultimately theirs.

Parents need to take a responsibility in what their children are watching and what type of programming comes on at certain hours.

Maybe we should go back to the old-fashioned days when you came home, ate cookies and milk, watched cartoons, started your homework, went outside and played, finished your homework, watched the news and went to bed.

But with the increasing amount of violence and sex portrayed on TV, and kids watching TV more, parents need to regulate what their kids watch.