What Children's Shows from My Childhood Would I Ban from My Kids’ Viewing?

I often wonder what shows from my childhood I would completely avoid letting my own children watch. Some of these shows, while enjoyable in my younger years, might not be suitable for the next generation due to their content and messages.

Shinchan and the Subtle Dangers

When it comes to Shinchan, a show that had a significant influence on my own children during their early years, there are definite concerns. I don't want my 6-year-old to look up to Shinchan as a role model, as the show can encourage inappropriate behavior, such as randomly wetting people or shaking his bottom at inappropriate times. Furthermore, the voices of the characters are highly annoying and often repetitive.

3 Stooges and the Evolution of Humor

Back in the day, the 3 Stooges offered a form of humor that was light-hearted and childish. However, as time has passed, there has been a worrying trend in children's content becoming increasingly explicit and harmful. Take, for example, the current portrayal in television shows like Brescia - Project Management, where the characters not only kiss and disrobe but also attempt to perpetuate gory murders. This normalization of violent and sexually explicit content is deeply concerning.

Sesame Street, Thomas, and Ernie: the Good Old Days

Shows like Thomas Friends, Sesame Street, and Wish Bone were educational and entertaining, providing valuable lessons in a fun and engaging manner. These shows helped foster a sense of reality and fiction, and the characters did not cross the line into inappropriate behavior.

Barney: A Hit or Miss with Parents

Regarding Barney, the purple dinosaur, my personal preference was to steer clear of it. I found the character annoying, particularly his song, “I love you, you love me, we’re a happy family.” This message came across as too commandeering and unwelcome. I wanted my kids to understand the difference between loving and being loving back, rather than feeling obligated to love a character on television.

Game Shakers: Offensive and Racist Content

One of the shows I would definitely ban is Game Shakers, a show on Nickelodeon that was highly racist and perpetuated negative stereotypes. Each episode consisted of shouting, yelling, and rudeness, with a particularly offensive portrayal of some of the adult characters. This content is not only disrespectful but also harmful and inappropriate for children.

Jessie: Less Offensive but Not Perfect

Jessie, which aired on Disney Channel, was less offensive than Game Shakers but still had some issues. It featured stereotypical and borderline racist characters, such as a nerdy, unathletic Indian boy and a disrespectful, devious Black girl. The spinoff Bunked was much less problematic, and I have no issues with my kids watching it as it does not perpetuate harmful stereotypes.

South Park: Crude and Inappropriate for Children

South Park, although primarily targeted at adult viewers, was created with children in mind, making it unsuitable for the younger audience. The show’s profanity, crude characters, and disrespectful attitudes towards one another, along with the lack of consequences for characters' actions, are deeply troubling.

Each of these shows represents a time capsule of sorts, offering insights into the evolution of children's content and the need for parents to carefully select the media their children consume. By understanding the potential impacts, we can make informed choices to ensure our children grow up in a nurturing and positive environment.

Keywords: children's shows, parenting choices, TV impact on children