Good Grief!

Good grief! I tend to unearth some ‘interesting’ little articles, and have yet another to share with you – “Are Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang too mean for today’s kids?” (Moms.today.com)

Seriously?

The article goes on to talk about the “stupid,” “dumb,” and “blockhead” monikers bestowed on some of the characters (mostly Charlie about himself), and how that may be setting a bad example for the children of today.

Again. Seriously?

It also goes on to say that there is nothing good in the Charlie Brown cartoons for today’s children.

Really?

First of all, let’s face facts here: it is a CARTOON, people. Not everything in life is sunshine and roses, nor should it be bullying and hatred either; but getting worked up over a time-honored classic basically says to me that we are out of focus in today’s society. We are more concerned with letting the television be a teacher and a babysitter than using it as a jumping off point for conversation. Why not use those words in that cartoon to teach a lesson about how mean that can be? How hurtful those words can be when said to someone?

Let’s use ‘Finding Nemo’ as another example. I have two boys under the age of seven. Our copy of Nemo often goes missing because I WANT it to go missing. Anyone recall the moment right after Marlin tells Nemo that he can’t swim out to sea? What is Nemo’s response?

“I hate you.”

Ouch!

And yes, this was Pierce’s favorite movie before he turned two years old. So how did I handle that? Did I banish my children from watching it? Umm…NO. So, what did I do? This mom took those three words and used them as a chance to have a talk with my boys about how mean and disrespectful it is to say that to someone, especially a parent.

I want to take a moment to discuss one of my personal favorite Charlie Brown cartoons – A Charlie Brown Christmas.

First of all, as a believer in Christ, I LOVE the fact that my children can watch a cartoon once aired on television that references what the true meaning of Christmas is, and delivers quotations from the Bible. I still get goosebumps every time I hear the innocent, sweet voice of Linus deliver his monologue of the Birth of Christ.

Secondly, Charlie picks out what we all deem to be the ugliest tree on the lot. However, after all of the children come together to work on the tree, it turns into a beautiful tree and Charlie, himself, is wished a “Merry Christmas” by all of the other children who typically torment him. Does that fit your idea of giving people a chance and changing attitudes and perceptions?

Yet, some still say there is nothing good about Charlie Brown.

Honestly, I have more heart palpitations over the fact that whereas I assume Max and Ruby have parents, they appear to live alone, ride on the bus alone, and go shopping alone. Anyone else think about the absurdities of Dora and Diego? Diego is eight…and he drives!? What about SpongeBob and Patrick and all of the weirdness that resides in Bikini Bottom?What kind of messages do these cartoons send?

Thanks anyway, I think I’ll keep letting the boys watch and learn from good ole’ Charlie Brown.

Do you think Charlie Brown cartoons are inappropriate for children today?

Crissie Miller Kirby uses one word to describe herself – survivor. Read more of Crissie’s work, along with nine other talented South Carolina women, at Lexington Medical Center’s Every Woman blog.