Mommy, He Said a Bad Word
August 23rd 2008 19:26
My children were taught at a very young age what were bad words and what weren’t. They all seemed to grasp the concept very well, and so went on our lives. Despite being surrounded by adults who like to swear like pirates, I think they’ve done quite well.
The other day, while watching the Disney channel, one of my children said the boy was using bad words on the show. So, I watched for a moment and it was true. Words that I had taught my children not to use for various reasons were being used in regular dialogue as part of their comedic script.
Here are some examples:
· Jerk
· Dork
· Stupid
· Idiot
· Dumb
My children don’t talk this way and, from what I can tell, neither do their friends. It made them very uncomfortable to see children their age on television (it wasn’t a cartoon, though they have expressed hearing those words on cartoons in the past when we talked about this later).
What really bothered me was this message was portrayed on the Disney channel, one which I thought was relatively safe. I know these aren’t profane words, but they’re still rude words and hurtful words. Even in jest, it still isn’t appropriate for a five year old to call their friend or relative an idiot. I don’t care where you come from, it just isn’t right.
What are your thoughts on the use of “bad words” in comedy shows geared specifically for children on a children’s television station?
The other day, while watching the Disney channel, one of my children said the boy was using bad words on the show. So, I watched for a moment and it was true. Words that I had taught my children not to use for various reasons were being used in regular dialogue as part of their comedic script.
Here are some examples:
· Jerk
· Dork
· Stupid
· Idiot
· Dumb
My children don’t talk this way and, from what I can tell, neither do their friends. It made them very uncomfortable to see children their age on television (it wasn’t a cartoon, though they have expressed hearing those words on cartoons in the past when we talked about this later).
What really bothered me was this message was portrayed on the Disney channel, one which I thought was relatively safe. I know these aren’t profane words, but they’re still rude words and hurtful words. Even in jest, it still isn’t appropriate for a five year old to call their friend or relative an idiot. I don’t care where you come from, it just isn’t right.
What are your thoughts on the use of “bad words” in comedy shows geared specifically for children on a children’s television station?
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Comment by Hazel Castillo
Working Title
Cirrus Cloud
Movie Dime
Parent Adventures
Then he discovered the TV where he used to watch only Nick Jr and Playhouse Disney -- the younger version.
I do hear some of those words in Disney Channel which now has become more for teens (what with Hannah Montana and such)...
Not sure how it is where you come from though.. In South East Asia they have separated Disney from Playhouse Disney.