1st graders and South Park

Hello!

So today I heard some 1st graders (7 years old) imitating some characters on South Park (and here). 

So the thing of it is, I enjoy watching South Park.  I think the show is satire, and regularly skewers issues that need it.  It’s a nice way to end a day (it’s usually on in the late evening).

It is, however, grossly innapropriate for younger children.  Without the ability to correctly discern fun from fact, kids may believe the behavior, language, and ideas of the characters are representative of normal and acceptable behavior (when in fact nothing could be farther from the truth, that\‘s one reason the show is funny).

I don’t advocate a strict “No South Park” policy; instead, I think a sensible approach to the show is in order.  Parents should talk with their kids about South Park.  Help them know and understand the difference,  and discern fact from fiction.  Discuss some of the ideas and provocative actions the show (regularly) hilights. 

What do you think?

On 14 February 2006, POPS inscribed the following thoughts about this post:

I think that makes for a reasonable compromise. Much like I enjoyed In Living Color’s satire as a child, I knew what was to be repeated and what was not, in much the same way as the Boondocks and the Chappelle Show today.

On 14 February 2006, Bill inscribed the following thoughts about this post:

Heya POPS!

Thanks for the comment, nice to meet you.

I think the analogy to The Chappelle show is spot-on.

On 25 July 2006, MacDoug inscribed the following thoughts about this post:

I think that parents who grew up with the cartoons = kids programming mentality need to take a closer look at the offerings these days. “Adult Swim” is on late for a reason! I share your discomfort with kids this young internalizing that kind of sophisticated humor. It’s part of a far broader picture that TV and movies are too often used to represent - that part of parenting is the interpretation, and, where necessarily, the shielding of the adult world for our children. I’m not sure I fully realized this until my son was born last year…