August 20, 2010 6:58 AM
TV, trash, narcissism, consumerism: what are kids watching?
Yet another indication of the depths to which our culture has sunk:
Monster Highâ„¢ - Freedom Fight
I only stumbled on this because somehow I am on Ms. Magazine's press list (actually, I was a charter subscriber in 1972).
Their concern?
Mattel's New "Monster High" Dolls Play On Old-School Stereotypes
More than cultural stereotypes - like whether or not this encourages girls to think they need to shave their legs - I am looking at the complete dumbing down and squalidness of fare being offered kids on US TV. The world is rapidly falling apart and we need a new generation equipped to deal with some tough problems.
Is this what we should be dishing out?
We didn't have TV for many years, but got one when satellite dishes opened up educational channels - which supply some marvelous fare (we recently DVR'd the Metropolitan Opera's 2010 production of Carmen, which was phenomenal). But when I've stumbled across the channels designated as "cartoons" or "kids," I've been appalled by the absolute garbage spewing into kids' minds every day. Nothing noble or uplifting or inspiring, just garbage, narcissism and consumerism.
Those of you young enough to be my daughters - and I know a lot of you are - grew up in a period of cultural decline and may need to rethink things for your own kids. Maria Montessori wrote a book called The Absorbent Mind - to show how the child's mind is like a sponge, soaking up everything around it. As parents, we have a spiritual duty to prevent guard our children's minds and hearts. If you have not been vigilant in this area, it's not too late. Just explain to your children - as I did to mine in 1990 and on - that the world is changing and that they will need to become the very best men and women they can be because the world will need them when they grow up.
Make sure they are surrounded by good literature and music. Fill them up with good things and they won't crave the bad. It's like food really.
Check out these great resources for evaluating media - secular, but based on the common assumption that parents need to understand and evaluate their kids' entertainment options:
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Comments
Barbra,
I don't know how I'm going to be able to handle these issues. My daughter means the world to me and leading her in the right path is my ultimate goal. Watching her 100% of the time or giving her room to be independent will be one of my major challenges. Today it seems like kids are influence by the media and their friends. This can lead to bad thing such as drugs and even them running away. These things are constantly on my mind. I guess it's a learn as you go situation. Thx for the resources.
Posted by: O'Neil Wilson | August 20, 2010 10:08 AM
Thanks for this post, Barbara. I agree wholeheartedly with you about guarding our children's minds and hearts. When my girls were 4, we read the book, Mrs. Rosey Posey and the Fine China Plate, by Robin Jones Gunn. In the book the main character is upset because her parents did not permit her to go to a movie that her friends were going to. Mrs. Rosey Posey explains that the choices her parents are helping her to make are setting her apart like a fine china plate so that Jesus can use her for His important work. (2 Timothy 2:21) My girls love this story and remember it when we choose not to watch certain movies/television shows that their friends/cousins are.
Posted by: Jenn | August 20, 2010 11:32 AM
What passes for children's television programming these days is truly horrible. We've just recently decided to micromanage the tv - it's just not possible to let them watch without supervision... Once the kids are "too old" for Little Bear, even the best shows are mindless timewasters. The vast majority is disgusting. The only show I've found that I can feel comfortable letting the kids watch is Phinneas and Ferb - two brothers who work together building amazing projects to keep busy during summer vacation.
Posted by: Shannon Miller | August 20, 2010 2:43 PM
I can't tell you how much I have to supervise what the kids are watching. I was shocked when they were telling me they were watching Scooby Doo, only for me to learn they had been watching the NEW Scooby Doo. It's NOT what I grew up with. I grew up with the Mystery Machine and crew solving mysteries. The new stuff has sexual and social innuendos and material not good for 8-12 yr olds to be even thinking of! Velma and Daphney are WAY to interested in trying to hook up with Fred and Shaggy than solving the mystery!!!!
Posted by: Dirtdartwife | August 20, 2010 11:12 PM
A Catholic counselor has recommended that my husband and I read 'Hang On to Your Kids" by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D. Dr. Neufeld says love, concern and even a solid bonding from infancy through the early years is not enough to keep us from losing our kids to the toxic peer culture. He gives ways to keep kids oriented to parents and their values and reasons why this is so crucial for their maturation as truly loving and responsible adults.
Posted by: judy | August 21, 2010 1:59 PM
