Kids t.v. Am I wrong??

[mlmkjw]

Hannah Montana, Wizards of Waverly Place, Sunny with a Chance, The Suite Life, ICarly, etc

So, at first I thought all these shows were cute. My DD8 LOVES them, and they're popular shows, so I'm all for it. Then I started paying attention and I'm wondering if the massive attitude I'm recently dealing with from DD isn't possibly in part from these shows.

Think about it. There are NO parental roles in most of them. Billy Rae who lets Miley do pretty much whatever she wants, Wizards...where they just hide everything from their parents and if they get caught theres no reprocussions (sp?), Sunny...bunch of kids working on their t.v. show...no parents or adults at all (just a manager who doesnt do anything), The Suite Life...almost NEVER see the parents, and ICarly...come on!!! An older brother who has NO control and has a million dollar apartment but rarely works?

School is passed off as a joke. Hannah and Sunny almost never show a school scene, Wizards and Suite life is all about skipping class and playing pranks, with a quick and easy "detention". The kids who do care about school (big bro Justin  from Wizards, and Cody from Suite life) are protrayed to be big reject geeks. Yet, none of these kids ever gets held back, or has to go to summer school, or anything!

The whole point in most of these "preteen" shows is to catch their crush and fall in love.

All of these kids have an unlimited amount of money at their disposable so they can have all the coolest clothes and phones, and ipods, and computers, etc. None of them have to work for it, or even behave, or show any appreciation...cause there are no parents!

So, what are we really teaching our kids? Don't worry about school...its only there to hang out with friends, disrespect teachers, and find a boy/girl friend. Don't worry about parents, because they really aren't important to your lives. Don't have any respect for your siblings because they don't really matter...you're the star! And, make sure at 6 and 7 years you've found the boy/girl you want for your spouse...cause thats all that really matters in life.

And, Looney Toons was banned because of the violence it portrayed?? Doesn't violence and disrespect go hand in hand? (Not that I agree with the violence...I just think we've traded one major problem for another).

Even go younger...Dora, Diego, etc. A Bunch of 5 year olds walking around the world by themselves with no authority figure at all! At least they teach Abc's, and caring about others, etc. But, where are the grown ups in kids television anymore? Where are the consequences for their decisions?

And we wonder why kids have no respect for anyone anymore?

[matofour]

Well, my older two are in 1 and 2 grade, we don't watch much tv.  It doesn't go on at all during the week, and the weekends we are usually too busy.  Plus, they will watch a movie here, or stuff from the dvr on the weekends.  But, I can honestly say we have never seen any of those shows, no interest.

BUT....I personally don't think tv has anything to do with the disrespect kids have these days, I contribute most of that to poor parenting, and parents who let their kids do anything. 

We limit tv because there are a million other things we would rather our kids be doing, we have a basement full of toys, and they would rather play with the toys than watch tv. But, when they do watch tv, I really don't worry about it.  WHY?  Because I am their parent not the tv, and I am in charge of what they say and do, not the tv.  I think blaming tv for the disrespect of kids these days, is lazy, and part of the reason there is a huge problem.  Because people blame it on everything but where the problem really is.

[Zakysmommy]

Um yea, love those shows!!  Daughter has been watching them since they came on.  Don't have a problem with her.

[mlmkjw]

Thats part of my point...very well said matofour!! I explain to my kids about respect and about the difference in "tv world" and the real world. But there are so many parents who leave the raising of their kids up to the schools and the television. And, my kids go to the same school as these kids. And will have to live as grown ups with these kids. So, the few parents out there who do right by their kids...and explain, and teach, and guide, and protect, are still sending them into a world that lacks respect and justice.

[Zakysmommy]

Exactly I dont' worry what my kids watch.  I never have.  If they wanna try and pull attitude that they see on TV, fine, they will see how far it gets them.  But then I'm a good parent.  TV has nothing to do with ANYTHING, if someone is a shitty parent, then they are a shitty parent. 

[tams_64]

Quoting Zakysmommy:

Um yea, love those shows!!  Daughter has been watching them since they came on.  Don't have a problem with her.

same with my daughters we all watch them and love those shows. dont see a problem with most of the ones listed. maybe something else is going on with your daughter.

[steelcrazy]

Tv today is horiable and I can see that kids can get a sense of entitlement from these shows and others.  I wouldn't blame all of the attitute on tv shows, but they definately do need to take some credit.  Some attitiude is also a normal part of growing up and maturing and learning how to survive on your own without mommy and daddy telling you every little thing that you need to be doing. 

My hubby and I often talk about how there aren't any good family shows on tv anymore.  Gone are the days of the Brady Bunch, Growing Pains, Family Ties, etc when the kids did something stupid, the parents found out, and they got in some trouble.  There was a lesson to be learned in these shows and granted it was usually sappy and no one solves a problem that quickly, but you could still take something respectful away from it.

I personally am not a 'bad parent' by any stretch of the imagination.  I do everything I can to teach my boys respect and a good work ethic, but the oldest (9) one still has an attitude.  I hate to say it's the nature of the tween/teen years, but in some ways it just is.  Try to remember how you were at that age.  I'm guessing that your parents thought you had alot of attitude too.  I'm sure that your kids will out grow  it as they mature, just try your best to instill your values in them and try to limit the crappy tv shows that are on now.

As for those of you with a kid under the age of 9 - you have no idea what is coming your way, trust me.  I used to be the one saying 'no, not my boys'  Well I got a rude awakeing in the last few months, those hormones kick in and your sweet little darling becomes a snarling, crabby, emotional, wreck of a beast that you thought you'd never see.  Thankfully I have a few more years before the next one hits this stage.

[Zakysmommy]

Just because a kid has attitude doesn't mean that there is always someone or something to blame.  People tend for forget that ONE size does NOT fit all with children.  They are as individual as adults, and they need to be treated accordingly.  You can't raise 2 kids the same way.  And trust me.  I have a 16 and almost 11 year old.  It's hard to believe they came from the same womb as they are polar opposites.  My son, 16, didn't have attitude till now.  My daughter was born full of piss and vinegar but turned human at 4.  Now at almost 11, she's a ball of hormones lol

[Barabell]

I agree with the PP that parenting is more important than the TV shows.  Since my son first started watching TV, we explained that TV was entertainment and NOT real life.  My son watches those shows, but he's never tried to emulate them.

Also, I don't think Dora and Diego and the other toddler show have parental figures not as an intent for a bad influence but to show some adventure going on with a child their own age.  I'm sure at that age you let your kids imagine certain situations (like exploring the forest) while never leaving the house. 

[StephanieSH]

Quoting steelcrazy:

Tv today is horiable and I can see that kids can get a sense of entitlement from these shows and others.  I wouldn't blame all of the attitute on tv shows, but they definately do need to take some credit.  Some attitiude is also a normal part of growing up and maturing and learning how to survive on your own without mommy and daddy telling you every little thing that you need to be doing. 

My hubby and I often talk about how there aren't any good family shows on tv anymore.  Gone are the days of the Brady Bunch, Growing Pains, Family Ties, etc when the kids did something stupid, the parents found out, and they got in some trouble.  There was a lesson to be learned in these shows and granted it was usually sappy and no one solves a problem that quickly, but you could still take something respectful away from it.

I personally am not a 'bad parent' by any stretch of the imagination.  I do everything I can to teach my boys respect and a good work ethic, but the oldest (9) one still has an attitude.  I hate to say it's the nature of the tween/teen years, but in some ways it just is.  Try to remember how you were at that age.  I'm guessing that your parents thought you had alot of attitude too.  I'm sure that your kids will out grow  it as they mature, just try your best to instill your values in them and try to limit the crappy tv shows that are on now.

As for those of you with a kid under the age of 9 - you have no idea what is coming your way, trust me.  I used to be the one saying 'no, not my boys'  Well I got a rude awakeing in the last few months, those hormones kick in and your sweet little darling becomes a snarling, crabby, emotional, wreck of a beast that you thought you'd never see.  Thankfully I have a few more years before the next one hits this stage.

I agree.  Family shows used to have parents who would punish their kids.  The show would sometimes teach a life lesson.  That's one of the reasons The Cosby Show was good too.

[Barabell]

Quoting StephanieSH:

Quoting steelcrazy:

Tv today is horiable and I can see that kids can get a sense of entitlement from these shows and others.  I wouldn't blame all of the attitute on tv shows, but they definately do need to take some credit.  Some attitiude is also a normal part of growing up and maturing and learning how to survive on your own without mommy and daddy telling you every little thing that you need to be doing. 

My hubby and I often talk about how there aren't any good family shows on tv anymore.  Gone are the days of the Brady Bunch, Growing Pains, Family Ties, etc when the kids did something stupid, the parents found out, and they got in some trouble.  There was a lesson to be learned in these shows and granted it was usually sappy and no one solves a problem that quickly, but you could still take something respectful away from it.

I personally am not a 'bad parent' by any stretch of the imagination.  I do everything I can to teach my boys respect and a good work ethic, but the oldest (9) one still has an attitude.  I hate to say it's the nature of the tween/teen years, but in some ways it just is.  Try to remember how you were at that age.  I'm guessing that your parents thought you had alot of attitude too.  I'm sure that your kids will out grow  it as they mature, just try your best to instill your values in them and try to limit the crappy tv shows that are on now.

As for those of you with a kid under the age of 9 - you have no idea what is coming your way, trust me.  I used to be the one saying 'no, not my boys'  Well I got a rude awakeing in the last few months, those hormones kick in and your sweet little darling becomes a snarling, crabby, emotional, wreck of a beast that you thought you'd never see.  Thankfully I have a few more years before the next one hits this stage.

I agree.  Family shows used to have parents who would punish their kids.  The show would sometimes teach a life lesson.  That's one of the reasons The Cosby Show was good too.

My son still watches those shows on ABC Family.  That's one of his favorite channels.