Educational television not so educational?
I was watching a show called Toddworld with my daughters yesterday. The description for the show was:
For the record, I had initially thought that Toddworld was a wonderfully entertaining and at times a healthy influence. Now, I’ll explain what particular issue I had with this. In the second half of this episode (”Mr. Cuddle Wuddle”), the entire premise is about Benny (the dog) being worried that others won’t think he’s “supercool” if they know he has a security blanket. After ten minutes of him worrying about what others think of him he finally gets a reprieve when one of the puppies who has now claimed ownership of the blanket offers it to Benny because he’s feeling down. The episode ends and here comes Todd to proclaim to the world that having a security blanket, a ba-ba (pacifier), something else (I forgot) or whatever is in fact cool.
Um… no, it isn’t. Even for my eight, five and four year old. They said so! And I fully believe that is simply a moronic thing to teach a child. Sure, let’s teach our children the properties of an addiction at an early age. That will help clarify the justification for the heroin flowing through their veins when they are thirty and homeless.
A few other episodes of interest are “Todd Takes A Stand“. In this episode Todd confronts a Bull(y) that refuses to wait his turn in line and demands that one of his friends stay off the slide because he is simply too slow. Sure, in this day and age, teach my child to get the shite beat out of them because their mouth writes checks their arse cannot cash.
Here is one where if they were to explain a little bit more it would have been just fine. “It’s OK To Lose Your Mittens“. Um… no it’s not. It would be more appropriate to say “I won’t bathe you in hot oil if you lose your mittens” or maybe even “It’s OK to lose your mittens as long as your hands are in them and Don Guido will gladly give them back if I pay off your gambling debts in a timely fashion”.
And, what actually cemented the thought that I would write this, is watching “The Sissy Duckling“. It’s basically the ugly duckling story with a homosexual twist. To add to that, Harvey Fierstein is the one who plays “Elmer”, the sissy duckling. This mini-movie wouldn’t be so bad except for the fact that they focus on it being okay to be unique (NOT different), and that it is nothing to be ashamed of. However, the only thing unique about this duck is that he likes to wear gaudy clothing, is a self-proclaimed “sissy”, a lover of art and is extremely effeminate.
To me, a sissy is one who might jump at the site of a cricket or scream when they see a mouse. Or much like my oldest daughter, crying at any sign of negativity.
“Sweetheart, you need to play the lowest octave of D in a more pleasing manner. Have some tempo about it and cleanly pluck your strings. Be proud of the music which emanates from your instrument.”
“Darling, there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of in the dark. What makes you think that a monster is going to get you now, when you surely made more noise at an earlier age?”
The last of which she replied: “They’re probably letting me age so that I’m ripe”. I guess that’s what I get for teaching her about anything food related.
That simple series of statements however, sends her into an epileptic fit of sobbing. This is somewhat indicative of a sissy. Not being a flaming duck.
Harvey Fierstein even won the HUMANITAS prize for this movie. Which in this case seems to reward him for propogating an overly feminine air. In life and in general, this may not be a bad thing. However, when we teach our children these things, we are simply corrupting what chances at life they may have had. If my daughters decide in life that they wish to pursue a path belying a heterosexual lifestyle then I am all for it. Just let them learn what they like or want themselves. Don’t make cartoons particularly geared towards these ideations. Make a damned movie that teaches parents to be more appreciative of the life they created and help in making those choices for their children.
Besides, they may someday bring Daddy home a lovely lass.
I’ll simply say: Times have changed. Educational programming needs to do the same thing.