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I wrote a letter to PBS today...
- Nov 19, 2009 at 4:37 PM
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- Comments (7) Total Views (116) Everyone can see this journal post.
I wrote a letter to PBS this morning. I don't know how many of you watch Sid The Science Kid, but I saw the episode about all of the kids getting a flu shot today for the second time and decided to let the network know how I feel about it. I was very surprised to get an answer back from them so quickly( only a few hours later). In re-reading my original email I am seeing now that I left out some things I would've liked to say, but my general point is that the content seemed to be telling children that a vaccine is the be all and end all of preventable medicine and seemed an awful lot like peer pressure to me. I am not comfortable with this kind of program being geared towards children. Here is my letter-
Now I normally LOVE your programs on pbs kids, I have a serious issue with a recent episode of Sid the science kid.I am speaking of the episode where all the children receive flu vaccinations. I know this is a very hot button issue in society today, especially with the H1N1 vaccine, but I have to say I was shocked and a little horrified to see the issue being pushed on children by a cartoon program. I would think you would be in agreement with me that whether or not a child gets a flu vaccine is a choice for their parents to make ONLY. I come from a family with a history of mercury allergies and for us it is simply too much of a risk to consider a flu shot. I was very disappointed to see Sid and his friends dancing and singing about the glory of vaccines, but not see the other side of the story. Why not discuss ( if you are insisting on discussing it at all) the risks of injecting children, and adults too, with vaccines laden with harmful chemicals? Why not discuss the members of our population who were harmed and sometimes killed by reactions to the vaccine? Or the fact that you can shed the virus and give it to others after you get it? Or even that the vaccine are not one hundred percent guaranteed to protect you from the virus? Better yet, why don't you just leave the issue up to the parents to decide and leave the children alone?
and here is their reply to me.....
Dear Ms. Harle:
Thank you for writing to PBS regarding your concerns about SID THE SCIENCE KID “Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!”
We regret that you were disappointed with this episode of the series. We have shared your comments with the producers and with PBS’ programming executives.
PBS understands that not every family will choose vaccination and that this is a decision for parents to make. In the episode, the teacher points out that everyone must have a parental consent form in order to get a shot. This program is about the science behind vaccinations, how antibodies work to immunize the body and staying healthy. As a character who explores the science behind the everyday experiences of preschoolers, Sid is a perfect guide to help children understand the science behind germs, viruses and vaccines. The episode also addresses topics such as sneezing into your elbow, effective hand washing and disinfecting common household surfaces to prevent the spread of germs. During a time of year when children hear a great deal about illness and ways to stay healthy, this program offers age-appropriate answers to their questions, including why some people receive vaccinations. It is designed to be relevant for every flu season or other times when a child may have questions about getting sick or getting a shot.
All PBS KIDS content is created in conjunction with subject experts. For “Getting a Shot,” the producers worked directly with medical and educational advisors, including Cyrus Rangan, M.D. FAAP ACMT, who is Director of the Toxics Epidemiology Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, Public Health, as well as Moisés Román, who serves as the Diversity in Action Chair for the California Association for the Education of Young Children as well as Curriculum Coordinator for UCLA Early Care and Education.
PBS KIDS helps preschoolers navigate through challenging life experiences, such as getting a shot. Our series have also covered such topics as divorce, a new sibling in the house or losing loved ones. We recognize that these issues may directly affect a child or that they may have been introduced by a friend or classmate.
Parents, of course, want their children to be healthy, and they will, and should, choose whether or not their children are vaccinated. Children want age-appropriate answers to their questions, including why some people get shots. PBS wants to help create an informed society, foster dialogue, encourage kids to understand their world and empower parents to make choices for their families. An informed citizenry is crucial to our democracy. It’s important that people talk about issues that affect their families.
We are grateful for your comments regarding this program and hope you will continue to watch PBS KIDS content and to share your opinions with us.
Sincerely,
Reighley
PBS Viewer Services
Now, I don't know if I'm looking to hard into this, but it seems like they never really address my worry. The part in program where the kids are told all of their parents agreed to the vaccine is about 5 seconds long and would not be noticed by any child watching it( I'm sure). Also, issues like divorce or a new baby in the family are not like serious medical choices. I can see a child being influenced by this program as to whether or not a vaccine is the 'cool' thing to do from the character's reactions to the teacher figure telling them that it is THE BEST thing to do to stay healthy. Oh, she also talks about hand washing, but she say that the vaccine is THE BEST.
I don't know but it just pisses me off. I feel like the letter was a little patronizing.
What do you ladies think? Am I seeing more to this than there really is? Should I just forget about the network or try and make it better
Comments:
I've seen that episode about 3 times now, and every time it irks me. Good job on writing them, and I'm surprised they wrote back so quickly. I understand their point about informing children about what vaccines are about, but they put SO much emphasis on the vaccines. And this part bothers me:
PBS wants to help create an informed society, foster dialogue, encourage kids to understand their world and empower parents to make choices for their families. An informed citizenry is crucial to our democracy. It’s important that people talk about issues that affect their families.
Didn't they say it was about age-appropriate answers for young children? It isn't about informing parents. Parents know about vaccines and don't get their information from children's shows. So I do think this show was about blatant agenda-pushing.
I would have been fine with it if they had been investigating the topic of immunity and brought up vaccination as ONE option. They don't even talk about how breast feeding creates antibodies, or that proper nutrition and even appropriate supplements can all help our bodies fight off various diseases and viruses. I didn't like that they showed the children just getting the vaccines and didn't say something to the point of, " all of you are healthy enough to receive this" or even talk about the risks of the chemical preservative components of the vaccines. This just seemed like too heavy of an issue to aim at pre-school aged children.
Didn't they say it was about age-appropriate answers for young children? It isn't about informing parents. Parents know about vaccines and don't get their information from children's shows. So I do think this show was about blatant agenda-pushing.
I re-read what I wrote, and it didn't make sense. LOL What I meant by that garble is that I feel they were agenda-pushing towards the children, and since they claim the show was intended to give age-appropiate answers to those children, why do they feel the need to "empower parents to make choices for their families"? THAT is what I meant to say. =)
And I agree with everything you said ^^
I'd be pissed too. Totally one sided and ignoring your concerns.
I work for a large corporation and deal with communications to our customers on a daily basis. This letter from PBS is a communication to you, their customer.
It does not address your specific concern because they anticipated what parents were going to say about the show and drafted a form letter to respond with. This is because all letters they send to their customers need to be approved by their legal department which is costly and takes a lot of time (days to weeks).
It appears to be written to you in response to your letter but it really was written in response to the a general question they assumed you would ask, similar to your question and then forwarded to you.
Oh I know this. I'm not stupid and think that there are enough people at work to instantly answer my questions and address my concerns. But I have received the same letter now three times for varying comments. I would have rather waited a year for a response that actually showed someone took the time to read my letter and the letters of other parents who have said similar things than to get that copy and pasted general letter so quickly. It doesn't really matter anymore though since I told them we will no longer be watching the program.
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Good for you, they should show the options not just be one sided.
- MommaRox4683
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