Should Sesame Street be discussing the topic of divorce?

[Solidus]

slippery slope

i can see it helping a child whose divorcing/divorced parents act the way that sesame street would present it. i'm afraid more times than not the child would actually witness less than amiable behavior.

Re-read when I stated that I was explaining in "hypotheticals" - the slippery slope was intentional .

 

[BadMoon]

Sorry I can't help myself.

 

[The Josh]

Sorry I can't help myself.

Lucky Elmo

 

[karamazov80]

Wait, I thought Elmo was into underaged boys

 

[thenammagazine]

It's not that sesame street is trying to wipe the asses 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.

If a show provides a situation showing a kid going through a divorce as troubled, a child can naturally assume that the parents should be/stay married. Now what happens if that child's parents don't believe in marriage since it's largely a religious deal? What if the child was inseminated and doesn't have a second parent? Or, what if that child then turns to their gay parents and asks, "Why aren't you married?" There are families to consider outside of the context of those who're going through divorce. Rather than pic favorites or risk offending people, wouldn't it be best to focus on the other areas where they've been successful?

Wait, I thought Elmo was into underaged boys

Maybe that reaction's about the dress?

 

[barryo]

Wait, I thought Elmo was into underaged boys

...................

 

[Solidus]

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.

No, I don't have kids. I don't think I even want any - maybe some day... who knows .

As a parent, you already have a lot more wisdom on the topic of raising children than I do, since I'm utterly and completely ignorant on the subject matter. But, like I mentioned before, I'm sure that PBS would rather avoid a potential PR issue, instead of creating one - that's probably the reason for why "divorce" hasn't been covered in Sesame Street's programming for all of these years.

Eh, whatever. I don't even care about Sesame Street lol .

 

[Solidus]

Wait, I thought Elmo was into underaged boys

Underaged boys, underaged girls; as long as they "tickle" Elmo, he'll be happy. He seems to like it a lot when he's tickled...

 

[Kuzeh]

Is Sesame street going a little out of bounds by talking about deep subject matters such as divorce to kids?

https://healthland.time.com/2012/12/10/d-is-for-divorce-sesame-street-tackles-another-touchy-topic/

Why not... they've dealt with death and other topics before...

I don't really think divorce, or even sexuality (gay or straight) have any place on that show. Given the growing level of ignorance and obesity todays kids have, seems like they'd be better of sticking to literacy, mathematics and encouraging healthy eating and exorcise.

Also, I think you meant "be" not "by."

Exorcism for kids?... mhmmm...

 

[BadMoon]

No, I don't have kids. I don't think I even want any - maybe some day... who knows .

As a parent, you already have a lot more wisdom on the topic of raising children than I do, since I'm utterly and completely ignorant on the subject matter. But, like I mentioned before, I'm sure that PBS would rather avoid a potential PR issue, instead of creating one - that's probably the reason for why "divorce" hasn't been covered in Sesame Street's programming for all of these years.

Eh, whatever. I don't even care about Sesame Street lol .

I'm learning as I go along. I have no idea how I will handle something like this 3 years from now or how I may feel about it. I had my first case of daddy rage when I watched a little girl push her and take her book at daycare. I wanted to punt the girl accross the room. Of course at this age they all do that. They don't understand "sharing" and I was fine when I got home.

 

[DPrime]

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.

Oh please.

They've tackled DEATH, for f's sake. This is just alarmist.

 

[thenammagazine]

Exorcism for kids?... mhmmm...

Not the least bit surprised that rather than come in to weigh in on the topic, you pop in to troll. Reported.

 

[devilof76]

****ing grow up.

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.

Yeah. They crossed lines like this when Mr. Rooper died. Sesame Street discussed death.

And they did it well.

 

[thenammagazine]

****ing grow up.

Oxymoronic. The adult thing to do is report an instigatory post before it erupts into a flame war vs. yours which is wholly intended to insight one. You'd do well to take your own advice, you know, practice what you preach vs. be a hypocrite.

 

[Shatterer of Dreams]

Once school starts they are going to learn about all sorts of stuff whether you're ready to teach your own child or not so your mind set should maybe be to teach them these kind of things young. This way they get the information the correct way and not some screwed up playground version.

 

[thenammagazine]

Once school starts they are going to learn about all sorts of stuff whether you're ready to teach your own child or not so your mind set should maybe be to teach them these kind of things young. This way they get the information the correct way and not some screwed up playground version.

People shouldn't rely on a television show to parent their own children.

 

[BadMoon]

Once school starts they are going to learn about all sorts of stuff whether you're ready to teach your own child or not so your mind set should maybe be to teach them these kind of things young. This way they get the information the correct way and not some screwed up playground version.

I learned what ****** meant in like second grade. I went home and asked my parents what it meant. Some kid was picking on me asking me if I utilized the fine saline based solution. The bastard.

 

[devilof76]

Oxymoronic. The adult thing to do is report an instigatory post before it erupts into a flame war vs. yours which is wholly intended to insight one. You'd do well to take your own advice, you know, practice what you preach vs. be a hypocrite.

****ing. Grow. Up. You. Sniveling. *****.

 

[work13]

If a show provides a situation showing a kid going through a divorce as troubled, a child can naturally assume that the parents should be/stay married. Now what happens if that child's parents don't believe in marriage since it's largely a religious deal? What if the child was inseminated and doesn't have a second parent? Or, what if that child then turns to their gay parents and asks, "Why aren't you married?" There are families to consider outside of the context of those who're going through divorce. Rather than pic favorites or risk offending people, wouldn't it be best to focus on the other areas where they've been successful?

Maybe that reaction's about the dress?

I child doesn't "assume" that the parents should stay together from watching a tv show. It is instinctual for the child to want their parents to stay together -in most circumstances. When my parents would fight, and they fought often, it was horrible for me to hear them. However, what I feared most, above all, was that they would separate and divorce. I'd rather them fight everyday then to have them divorce. Maybe I was just being selfish as a kid, but then again, what kid isn't at that age? Now it maybe different for others, but that's at least how I felt.

I don't think helping kids cope with divorce necessarily shows pro-marriage, or anti single parent, or anti-this or anti-that stance. But I can see how some may take it to that level. Is sesame street a left leaning show or right? Are they anti gay? or just Pro straight? Are they pro-boobies? I don't know. Maybe we're taking this too far. Maybe everyone is so cynical now-a-days that we think everything has got a negative agenda...even sesame street. Or maybe...just maybe...sesame street just wants to help a kid out who's going through some tough times. Who knows...

 

[Shatterer of Dreams]

People shouldn't rely on a television show to parent their own children.

Again I mostly agree, but if the TV show prompts parents to do it themselves becuase they want to teach them their way then I only see that as good.

I learned what ****** meant in like second grade. I went home and asked my parents what it meant. Some kid was picking on me asking me if I utilized the fine saline based solution. The bastard.

Ha! Sounds about right. 2nd grade is when we all started telling dirty jokes where I grew up and I think we all forget how fast we grow up.