Teaching children wrong through TV - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Rubyee · 11-24-2003, 05:20 PM

I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in entertainment, but I am sure if I screwed it up, someone will fix it for me.

Anyhow, I am watching the family Fear Factor that is on, and in case you aren't, they are having four teams of one child and one parent go against eachother.

Now, normally on the show the contestants are very competitive, talking about the others behind their backs and doing a lot of trash talking. Which is fine, if that is what they want to do.

But on tonight's episode, not only were the parents doing this, but the children were, too. Now, I am going to bring up my children to have respect for others, and to not judge people that way. These children were so competitive, though, that they were talking about how much better they are than the others.

I find this appaling. I think that it is sickening to bring your children up in such a manner that they feel better than everyone else. My children would be shaking hands and wishing them luck.

Now one of the parents is even criticizing the other parent on their parenting skills because he was a "weekend dad."

Am I wrong for being so appaled? Am I being unreasonable? I would like to think that I am not. Please give me your input.

Journeyman · 11-24-2003, 05:37 PM

One of the crucial aspects of a functioning capitalist system (and thus the educational system within (which, in this country, does end up that way)) is a very competitive attitude, that goes beyond friendly sportmanship and into a mentality that My success depends on your failure. This example you bring up is simply reinforcing these social behaviors that are already there in society, much like most other TV shows that pit two sides in competition with each other.

I don't think it's a good thing on the whole, and I don't watch Fear Factor (never knew it went past eating cow eyeballs). But your alternative is NOT as cut and dry as "Well then you're left with communism." But politics/economics are not my specialty, so I'll leave that for someone else.

Rubyee · 11-24-2003, 06:17 PM

No, don't get me wrong- it is perfectly fine to want to win. It is perfectly fine to want to succeed, as well. But there is a way to go about it that does not make you look like an ass.

Mephisto2 · 11-24-2003, 06:28 PM

I agree with you 100% rubyee.

It was the way I was brought up and the way I intend to raise my own children.

I want my children to be considerate of others, to empathise with those less well off, to be fair and open-minded etc. Sure they can be competitive (though personally I'm not), but I don't want them to ever think they are better than others in some inherent manner. I certainly don't want them insulting others for no reason. In fact, I don't want my children insulting people for any reason.

I applaud you and your values. I'm sure your kids will grow up into lovely people! :-)

Mr Mephisto

krwlz · 11-24-2003, 06:42 PM

While I agree, competition is in us from day one for the most part. Instincts left over from wheneverr.

GuttersnipeXL · 11-24-2003, 06:44 PM

Kids are lead by example. It's no fault of their own.

11-24-2003, 05:20 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rubyee I'm baaaaack!	Teaching children wrong through TV I wasn't sure whether to put this here or in entertainment, but I am sure if I screwed it up, someone will fix it for me. Anyhow, I am watching the family Fear Factor that is on, and in case you aren't, they are having four teams of one child and one parent go against eachother. Now, normally on the show the contestants are very competitive, talking about the others behind their backs and doing a lot of trash talking. Which is fine, if that is what they want to do. But on tonight's episode, not only were the parents doing this, but the children were, too. Now, I am going to bring up my children to have respect for others, and to not judge people that way. These children were so competitive, though, that they were talking about how much better they are than the others. I find this appaling. I think that it is sickening to bring your children up in such a manner that they feel better than everyone else. My children would be shaking hands and wishing them luck. Now one of the parents is even criticizing the other parent on their parenting skills because he was a "weekend dad." Am I wrong for being so appaled? Am I being unreasonable? I would like to think that I am not. Please give me your input. __________________ You don't know from fun.

11-24-2003, 06:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rubyee I'm baaaaack!	No, don't get me wrong- it is perfectly fine to want to win. It is perfectly fine to want to succeed, as well. But there is a way to go about it that does not make you look like an ass. __________________ You don't know from fun.

11-24-2003, 06:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
GuttersnipeXL Giggity Giggity!! Location: N'York	Kids are lead by example. It's no fault of their own. __________________ When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro. HST

11-24-2003, 05:37 PM	#2 (permalink)
Journeyman Like John Goodman, but not. Location: SFBA, California	One of the crucial aspects of a functioning capitalist system (and thus the educational system within (which, in this country, does end up that way)) is a very competitive attitude, that goes beyond friendly sportmanship and into a mentality that My success depends on your failure. This example you bring up is simply reinforcing these social behaviors that are already there in society, much like most other TV shows that pit two sides in competition with each other. I don't think it's a good thing on the whole, and I don't watch Fear Factor (never knew it went past eating cow eyeballs). But your alternative is NOT as cut and dry as "Well then you're left with communism." But politics/economics are not my specialty, so I'll leave that for someone else.

11-24-2003, 06:28 PM	#4 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	I agree with you 100% rubyee. It was the way I was brought up and the way I intend to raise my own children. I want my children to be considerate of others, to empathise with those less well off, to be fair and open-minded etc. Sure they can be competitive (though personally I'm not), but I don't want them to ever think they are better than others in some inherent manner. I certainly don't want them insulting others for no reason. In fact, I don't want my children insulting people for any reason. I applaud you and your values. I'm sure your kids will grow up into lovely people! :-) Mr Mephisto

11-24-2003, 06:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
krwlz Fledgling Dead Head Location: Clarkson U.	While I agree, competition is in us from day one for the most part. Instincts left over from wheneverr.