I am doing a term paper Yes.....I am. (I am now pursuing a degree in...something ....at Brown University) on the evolution of growing up. It's actually a study on why the younger generation is warped.
I first started thinking about what children watch as they grow from Cherubs to Urchins to Devils and then finally to Self Centered Adults. Trust me......I can say that as I live with the most vain one of all.
So lets start from TV Land in the beginning.
Mr Rogers
-1970's
-1970'sOh how all the parents of the 60's embraced his "Won't you be my neighbor" concept. These are the same parents who were at Woodstock so I suppose the LSD was still running freely through their veins.
At the beginning of each episode, Fred Rogers enters his television studio house, singing "Won't You Be My Neighbor?". He hangs his coat in a closet, puts on a cardigan zipper sweater, and removes his dress shoes to put on sneakers.
Starting in 1979, episodes were grouped into week-long series, with each series focused on a particular topic. Rogers' monologues throughout the week explore various facets of the topic, and the ongoing story from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe serves as illustration.
Rogers covered a broad range of topics over the years, and the series did not shy away from issues that other children's programming avoided. In fact, Rogers endeared himself to many when, on March 23, 1970, he dealt with the death of one of his pet goldfish.
Starting in 1979, episodes were grouped into week-long series, with each series focused on a particular topic. Rogers' monologues throughout the week explore various facets of the topic, and the ongoing story from the Neighborhood of Make-Believe serves as illustration.
Rogers covered a broad range of topics over the years, and the series did not shy away from issues that other children's programming avoided. In fact, Rogers endeared himself to many when, on March 23, 1970, he dealt with the death of one of his pet goldfish.
I truly hope he flushed the goldfish.
I suspect that the parents of this generation might be a tad leery of allowing their children into his playhouse.
Then we have PeeWee Herman - 1980's
This half-hour CBS-TV Saturday morning live-action "children's show" aired from 1986 until 1991 and was enormously popular with both children and adults. The program won six Emmy Awards and a host of other accolades during its first season. Incorporating clips from vintage cartoons and old educational films, newly produced 3-D animation, hand puppets, marionettes, and a cast of endearingly eccentric characters led by a gray-suited and red-bow-tied Pee-wee Herman (Paul Reubens), Pee-wee's Playhouse might best be described as a flamboyant take off on the genre of children's educational TV--a sort of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood meets MTV. I personally question how Mr Rogers would feel about the comparison. Especially after PeeWee's arrest.....but I will leave that alone. Just a quick note.....there is a resemblance....seriously....look.
Barney-1990's
Although the show has been criticized for its lack of educational value, Yale researchers Dorothy and Jerome Singer have concluded that episodes contain a great deal of age-appropriate educational material, calling the program a "model of what preschool television should be.
One specific criticism is:
shows do not assist children in learning to deal with negative feelings and emotions. As one commentator puts it, the real danger from Barney is denial: the refusal to recognize the existence of unpleasant realities. For along with his steady diet of giggles and unconditional love, Barney offers our children a one-dimensional world where everyone must be happy and everything must be resolved right away.Barney likes many different foods such as fruits and vegetables, but his main favorite is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk.
One specific criticism is:
shows do not assist children in learning to deal with negative feelings and emotions. As one commentator puts it, the real danger from Barney is denial: the refusal to recognize the existence of unpleasant realities. For along with his steady diet of giggles and unconditional love, Barney offers our children a one-dimensional world where everyone must be happy and everything must be resolved right away.Barney likes many different foods such as fruits and vegetables, but his main favorite is a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with a glass of milk.
Criticized for it's educational value??? Everyone must be happy????? Peanut butter and Jelly???? Negative feelings and emotions are not dealt with???? I am on to something here! Prozac becomes introduced into the world right about now I suspect and all children become obese. Huuummmm
Dora The Explorer-2000's
Dora, the main character, is a young girl who embarks on a trip in every episode in order to find something or help somebody. She asks the viewers at home to help her find new ways to reach places with the help of Map. She also teaches viewers Spanish, introducing them to short words and phrases.
Dora has a positive view of the characters she meets, failing even to hold a grudge against the mischievous fox Swiper, who continually attempts to steal items from her party. She acts against villains only when it seems that compromise is impossible, and even in these cases, fails to display actual anger. She gives others a chance to try their hands at tasks even when she herself might have an easier time with them. Dora values her family, whom she loves openly, though she spends little time indoors at home with them. She tries to introduce her traditions and customs, subtly and without compulsion, to those who are not familiar with them.
Dora has a positive view of the characters she meets, failing even to hold a grudge against the mischievous fox Swiper, who continually attempts to steal items from her party. She acts against villains only when it seems that compromise is impossible, and even in these cases, fails to display actual anger. She gives others a chance to try their hands at tasks even when she herself might have an easier time with them. Dora values her family, whom she loves openly, though she spends little time indoors at home with them. She tries to introduce her traditions and customs, subtly and without compulsion, to those who are not familiar with them.
Spends little time with her family????? Gets vindictive when compromise is impossible???? Teaching short words in Spanish???? I suspect this is when they changed over the ATM to selecting a language before you begin. English or Spanish. No German or French seen on the ATM screen....thanks Dora!
In conclusion....We went from creepy..to pervert....to a fat happy purple thing with no emotion to a narcissistic half speaking Spanish little girl that never displays anger. All my questions have been answered.
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