Are today's kids different?
Amanda wonders what has changed: parenting styles or kids?
A few weeks ago I was complaining that publishers were ruining one of my favourite books, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, by replacing the deliciously horrifying illustrations I loved as a kid with new, tamer drawings.
Earlier this week, I read this article about how some parents aren't sharing traditional fairy tales with their children because they're "too scary" or "inappropriate." One example is Cinderella — apparently, some parents feel a storyline about a woman doing all the housework is outdated.
I still wonder, as I did in my post about Scary Stories, why these stories (or illustrations) were okay for me and my friends, but not okay for today's children. I'm curious to know what has changed. Are parents raising their kids differently than my parents raised me and my sister? Are today's kids actually different than I was i.e. more afraid?
What do you think? And are there certain books you loved as a child that you wouldn't read to your kids? Why do you think that is?
Jennifer Garner is practically super mom
Everyday Baby - May 15, 2012
Seasonal preparation checklist
Support system for premature babies
Tween and teen issues
What do you think?
Guest_281887 says ....
I agree with MissLady.
I have 2 children that watch disney quite often, one is 3 the other 4. If they have any fears I talk to them and neither of them seems to be too bothered by these shows. I think that if they have concerns these help open doors to important conversations that may otherwise get overlooked.
I think avoiding classic fairytales is unfortunate. What little girl doesn't love princess tales? I grew up watching disney and loved dancing and singing to all of the movies.
I say use your discretion. If a particular movie is too scary put it away for a later date and alter stories so you aren't killing the wolf or eating grandma in "Little Red Riding Hood". As for "Jack and the Beanstalk" being "too unrealistic", isn't that the wonder of a story? You can let your imagination run away with it. Where else can you think up crazy things if not while reading/writing stories or drawing pictures? Next they will be telling us that art isn't good for children.
However as a parent you know what's best for your child and what they can handle. Maybe we just need to get in touch with our imaginations and try to adapt our stories to fit our children.
J.S.V. (not verified) says ....
I would love to share movies like Cinderella with my 7-year old daughter but she refuses to watch most Disney fairy tales because they are "too scary". I think I was scared when I watched them at her age too, but there were fewer things on TV for kids than there are now so I pushed myself to watch because it seemed like a treat. Nowadays kids know there's always something else on that will be "easier" to watch.
milwaukeebangles says ....
Yes there are some stories that I think are innapropriate for children but none more than the ones that are being produced today where lasers and automatic weapons are common place. For me I have more issues with the violence and adult situations than I do traditional roles. Cincerella lived in a household with 3 other women, she was not catering to the men in her home. I am very careful about what my chidlren watch becasue it's my responsiblity. TV was new when I was a kid. We only had 4 channels and I was the remote! Parents were not aware of the potential issues with exposure to these shows at the time but I think we know better now - garbage in, garbage out!