I just read on anther board that "someone" had heard that PBS's Arthur is going to introduce a new character with two dads. Now, I don't want to start a big argument or anything, just want to know if anyone out there has heard anything more substantial and verifiable. Would like to know whether or not it's true......
From what I understand, it's suppose to be a new character that will be a "regular" on the Arthur show. Again, it's not verified. I did hear from the original thread that someone had read it their Sunday paper. I called PBS and to ask them directly, but the lady I need to ask isn't there, and will call back.
the lady from our local PBS station got back with me, but I wasn't home. She left a message. She feels that this is left over from the Postcards from Buster episode. She went looking, and could find NO INFORMATION concerning a new Arthur character. That doesn't mean it's NOT happening, but if it is, it hasn't trickled down to the individual stations yet. Things to consider: 1. The person I heard claimed she had "read it in Sunday's paper". If that were so, I would think the individual stations would have the news first. 2. I live in a very pro-gay area :cry: . When "Postcards from Buster" came out, we were one of the few stations that aired it, though it was seperate in the evening. I don't think this woman would intentionally lie to me, because the support for such a show here would be greater than the criticism. 3. Overall, PBS came under LOTS of criticism for Buster. Most stations refused to air the show. I think they'll be hesitant about trying to place it in a children's show for a while.. If anyone hears anthing else, please let me know!
Well, I guess they feel they have to include a child from that type of family. You can't turn on Nickelodeon without running into a handicapped child. They want to include every child from every kind of family structure, I guess. Even Sesame Street has had Ellen Degeneres on there. Why not introduce an abused character and do something worthwhile with the storyline??
Cuz an abused child would take away from the pretty picture they are trying to create which has nothing to do with reality. TV land (of course we know Satan has his hand in all of it) wants people to see certain rare situations as occuring more often than in reality so it will swing the population that direction. Wow, looks like it's working, too! They ought to patent it.... :roll:
The lady who writes the comic strip For Better Or For Worse handles pretty harsh stuff now and then. She has dealt with child abuse. When she tried to put a gay boy in her strip for a storyline most papers wouldn't run it. That was quite awhile back, thogh. To me, though, kids aren't looking at each other noticing who has two moms or two dads. They are looking at who's fun to be around. I know by experience that if a child looks down on another kid for a situation out of that child's control, they learned the garbage attitude from the parents.
Personally i have nothing against gays, and also had a few friends that were gay, but also saying this i dont want my kids to be taught it is the right way to be. Just my 10c
personally I hope it isn't true, but if it is I won't be banning Arthur. I'll be using it as a teachable moment(s) with my children. Such an opportune time to show them how sin can slip in and look so acceptable and normal to others, how easy it is to not think it's wrong and just different, oh so many different directions to take it. But. Thats how I handle those things. I'm different than the average mother and I know it. Glenda
Not so different....I won't subject my kids to it, and it won't be watched if I am forwarned....but we still take the teachable moments where'er they befall :wink:
I'd rather know it was coming, watch it with them and use the moment than be in a grocery store and see two men kissing and have the kids asking questions. Its much more in my control in the first setting, and far less public as well. different strokes and all! Glenda
Ahhhh....well, you never said it would be a first-time situation......we unfortunately had to tackle all that WAAAAAAYYYYYYY early.....nothing like breaking out Leviticus for a 3 year old
James has certainly never been exposed to it, nor to my knowledge has Brianna. The other two know about it, find it revolting and would opt not to watch anything involving that. I would, too, unless I felt it could be useful to broach the subject with a small child. And Arther would be a good way to intro the subject for my little ones. BUT, I still hope very much it's not true. I don't want to have to watch every episode with them and I would have to if that were the case. Glenda
Sadly my son was subject to it in public school, when a 10 year old typed in a link in computer study. The first thing i thought of was where were the teachers, then shock and horror, and the last thing was what type of parents this child had, to know of such a web page. My daughter also came home with a story of porn pictures found on her school bus. We then decided to HS, to be honest i found it hard to explain to my son why this was happening between two men, but he did learn it was a sin and also what the word gay meant. Not sure i want to discuss it with my dd yet, what age do you think is right? She has almost lived a very sheltered life, which im not sure is a good or bad thing.
Sigh..... My problem with it on a children's show is that this conveys the message to the chidlren that it is "normal". After all, these kids are nowrmal kids, they do the same thing that Arthur and his friends are doing, etc. The whole purpose is to desensitze the children to where the next generation finds it perfectly acceptable. I think we might watch it ONE TIME to do the "teachable moment" thing, but more to explain to the chidlren why the would NOT be watching it in the future. Again, I want to stress that, according to my PBS station, Arthur has NO INTENTION of bringing in a new character. If I find out otherwise, I will let you know!
