Yeah, Badmoon will get on that shortly.
Should Sesame Street be discussing the topic of divorce?
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Seriously though, polls can't be edited once they are created. Thread titles can be, but not poll titles (or options).
I'm not a mod. I'm above them maggots. I'm a demi god oversear.
well exuuuuuuuuuse me! I apologize for that false and shameful association.
oh well. Good to know. thanks.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
well exuuuuuuuuuse me! I apologize for that false and shameful association.
Its an honest mistake. I got into trouble by the big guy for calling myself "demi god mod" due to poking fun at macrumors. Apparently it was such a horrifying offense that I had to change my quote. So I promoted myself to a demi god overseer. I now rule all. Thank you.
IronLungs31
Super Freak
It's a good thing as it's happening to a lot kids out there these days. Most parents try to keep the kids out of that type of talk until it's to late, but the kids see it coming they just don't know what's going on at the time.
Two thumbs up! PBS
Two thumbs up! PBS
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
Absolutely.
Exactly why.
Honestly, I think you guys are imagining that this is going to get really political or something... It's probably going to be more along the lines of "why does so-and-so only have mom at home, and lives with dad on the weekends?" And one of the other Muppets or adults or whatever will emphasize the fact that they still love them no matter what.
Nothing to get concerned about. The CTW knows what they're doing.
And for the record, I currently regularly watch Sesame Street since we have a fourteen-month old at home.
I watch it as well. I also have a 14 month old and a 1 week old. Although the 1 week old just makes silly faces and poops all day.
I'm certain I don't want them to have to worry about a potential divorce. However, I'm not naive enough to say it could never happen. I have seen worse on sesame street. While I enjoyed Katy Perry's ****s bouncing around personally, I don't want my kids exposed that "trash". God what am I saying?
LOL at daddy influences.
Shatterer of Dreams
Super Freak
I had to deal with the same issue at 6. Life sucks, and my parents dropped the ball leaving me in the middle of a custody struggle straight through until 13, when I could legally decide where I wanted to live. It's part of growing up in that type of environment and something I certainly blame my parents for. Honestly, I seriously doubt Sesame Street would've made a difference whether or not they broached a topic with Mr. Snuffaluficus coming from a split home or not.
Again, literacy, math and health. As I said earlier with America failing in every one of those categories, seems like the plate should be full already.
I personally think anything can be helpful on this subject. America is failing at marriage as well (divorce being at an all time high and such) so it's just as relievent as reading and writing. Who's to say that learning about divorce early in life won't lead to taking it more seriously later in life?
Well, to play devils advocate, the kids who haven't gone through a divorce, who are now exposed to this new concept, may go tease their school mates who are dealing with divorce. Kids can be real cruel sometimes.
It may bring more problems for certain children then good. It's a tough one.
It's not a good idea - I'd say that it's terrible, in fact. While it's true that children in divorced families might be able to relate such a topic, it's bound to cause unnecessary worry and panic to the children who are in healthy home environments.
Keep in mind that the targeted demographics for Sesame St. are young children (eg. pre-school to Grade 1) who are still learning to read, write and count. They aren't even aware of the complexities of adult life. Hypothetically, if these children were to see such an episode of Sesame St. (on the topic of divorce), they'd run to their parents in confusion to ask them such questions as "mommy, why are you and daddy getting divorced?". The burden of proof is then left to the parents to explain away the "nonsense" that Sesame St. told their children. As a result of this, the parents will get upset and write angry letters to PBS. Furthermore, PBS will then lose ratings because parents would stop their children from watching Sesame St (the show that caused the confusion, in the first place).
Sesame St. has been around for decades. I'm sure that PBS has done the proper research, and determined the reasons for why they shouldn't cover a topic of "divorce" in their programming. They'd most likely want to avoid the topics that have the potential of causing a PR nightmare.
Keep in mind that the targeted demographics for Sesame St. are young children (eg. pre-school to Grade 1) who are still learning to read, write and count. They aren't even aware of the complexities of adult life. Hypothetically, if these children were to see such an episode of Sesame St. (on the topic of divorce), they'd run to their parents in confusion to ask them such questions as "mommy, why are you and daddy getting divorced?". The burden of proof is then left to the parents to explain away the "nonsense" that Sesame St. told their children. As a result of this, the parents will get upset and write angry letters to PBS. Furthermore, PBS will then lose ratings because parents would stop their children from watching Sesame St (the show that caused the confusion, in the first place).
Sesame St. has been around for decades. I'm sure that PBS has done the proper research, and determined the reasons for why they shouldn't cover a topic of "divorce" in their programming. They'd most likely want to avoid the topics that have the potential of causing a PR nightmare.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
My wife teaches 4th grade. Kids are both cruel and smart.
King Darkness
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Its not being used to "teach" children about divorce, rather to let the ones actually going through it have a sesne of "hey, I'm not alone".
And if, as a parent, you don't want you child learning about stuff before you have a time to teach them about it, best lock them in their room for life, cause you can bet your ass once they start school they will learn about everything and anything from other kids anyway.
And if, as a parent, you don't want you child learning about stuff before you have a time to teach them about it, best lock them in their room for life, cause you can bet your ass once they start school they will learn about everything and anything from other kids anyway.
IronLungs31
Super Freak
Kids will be kids, but at least if the kids that are going through this situation. Will know better than to say much to their friends about what's going on in their household. Now that they have some knowledge of the word and situation.
thenammagazine
Super Freak
Or potentially be misinterpreted as encourage it and playing it off as being less serious than it is? I dunno, it's most definitely a serious issue and at this point, almost a chronic one, but I just don't think we should be relying on a children's show to go around wiping the ***** of irresponsible parents. There's too much of that going around politically already.
Honestly, I don't even think they should be broaching the topic of marriage or divorce anyway. There are many families who successfully function outside of wedlock and it forces Sesame Street to pick sides by saying what's okay and what's not. Hell, even labeling divorce as an issue, indirectly states they're pro-marriage.
That's true. But, personally speaking, none of my childhood friends (and classmates) in 4th grade were watching kid programs like Sesame St
.
BadMoon
Demi G0D Overseer
Do you have kids? While I don't disagree with most of your post I do question your assessment on the intelligence level of our young ones. Most adults don't understand the complexities of adult life until their 30's to be honest.
Kids are smart. They pick up on a lot. I honestly believe that Sesame street would handle it in such a generic way that it would probably be no big deal. My daughter can't really talk yet. But she is smart enough at 14 months to walk from the living, up the stairs, down the hall, and into her bathroom, after me telling her its "tubby time". I don't say this brag but I don't live in a small house (it's no mansion either). She learns something new every day. It really is amazing watching her grow and learn. I have every reason to believe that she would understand what a divorce was at 3. I'm just not sure I'm ready for her to learn about it at 3. But as King pointed out. They are going to pick up on it somewhere. You might as well turn off the TV if you are that worried.
Darth Cruel's story about "Reptile Disfunction" comes to mind. It's funny, but it's a perfect example of how one can't shield kids from everything. That includes a wonderful viagra commercial.
Great points, all around.
It's not that sesame street is trying to wipe the ***** of the bad parents. A better analogy would be that they are trying to help put a band-aide on the wounds of the kids of the parents.
Also, I'm not sure if Sesame streets goal is to promote one life style, ( married over divorce, etc.), over the other. I think it's more in line of trying to help kids cope with the difficulties that divorce brings.
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