Few of us can resist the temptation to raise our children on kids shows and cartoons. Popular and well-known examples are shows like Takalani Sesame or Dora the Explorer. Many of today’s parents were raised on these shows. This is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, these shows can instill positive morals and teach our young valuable life lessons. In fact, today’s youth are more likely to watch shows that include the politics of identity and pressing social issues.
Reception
Bliss, a black PPG
For many parents, this can be a good thing. It allows them to outsource uncomfortable conversations to the television screen. But, it has also received a lot of resistance from an unlikely place. Groups that the changes are made for claim that harmful stereotypes still persist in characters like the PowerPuff Girl’s Bliss. But, these shows are moving in the right direction, at least.
Comparison to older shows
In comparison, older television shows and cartoons did little coverage of important issues. In the first season of Takalani Sesame, the Muppets did learn about HIV/AIDS and the 11 official languages of the country. But, more focus is places on more comfortable conversations such as exercise, family and friendship. In fact, the reason we are so fond of the TV shows we watched growing up because they were warm, welcoming and far from controversial.
Cartoons shift
Today’s shows are different. They deliberately aim to disrupt. The “black” powerful girl is an attempt to rewrite social stigmas about hero(ine)s. Although, there is a lot about the attempt which can be improved. However, it is a step closer to raising children to understand the serious complexities of life after childhood.
The demographic of older cartoon shows
The philosophy of previous TV shows for youth is best described in the Sesame Street theme song. One line of its lyric reads, “Come and play, everything’s A-OK.” Today, we understand that everything is not ‘A-OK’. There are serious issues and pretending that everything is fine just prevents us from solving them.
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