Are cartoons getting out of hand?

Question

Part 1) Are you shocked at the cartoons your kids watch? Do you see too much violence, language, sex, and body humor in the current favorites?

Part 2) What cartoon do you find most inappropriate? What is wrong with it?

For those of you who don't realize it, I am not asking advice on whether to allow my children to watch cartoons. I am soliciting opinions on the cartoons themselves.

Answer 1

I'm not surprised that today's cartoons are "worse" than the classics. I've been watching Sponge Bob the last few months, and there is definitely inappropriate stuff in there. I've heard the words "idiot, jerk, and stupid". Sponge Bob is rated "Y", which is the same rating that Sesame Street has! I don't see how on Earth Sponge Bob and Sesame Street can fit into the same category! You'd NEVER hear talk like that on Sesame Street.

Fairly Odd Parents is another one rated "Y". The babysitter on that show, Vicki, uses a lot of negative words when talking to Timmy. Words like, "brat, twirp, jerk". Since I've never left my daughter with a babysitter before (only family and friends), I'd bet she thinks ALL babysitters are mean and nasty like Vicki is!

I miss the Smurfs and Muppet Babies! LOL!

Answer 2

First of all, I am seeing alot of people using the Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy as examples. These are NOT meant for children... These are ADULT cartoons. There are also cartoons made into porn, for example, "Stripperella". Just because it's animated does not mean children are going to be allowed to watch it.

1.) I don't have a child of cartoon-watching age just yet. He's on his way. But I do indeed watch plenty of cartoons targeted at children, probably daily or so, just to see what's out there. I am not shocked that much by the cartoons aimed specifically at children. I find them rather distasteful, some of them. They seem a little too crude, a little too slapstick and "mindless" at times. Violence has always been there, I don't understand why, but it's true. Look at the old-school Looney Tunes and stuff. It was always Good versus Bad (good mouse/bird, bad cat/coyote. etc.). The examples of how the Bad would try to take over the Good were always extreme. The same rule of thumb still applies to new cartoons. Just a little more obnoxiously (ie Eyeballs bugging out really big, some elements of gore). Language isn't an issue for actual children's cartoons, unless "poopy" or "stupid" is considered "language". I don't really see anything wrong with it. Sex is DEFINITELY not an issue in children's cartoons. Body humor, indeed excessive. Farting, burping, going poo etc. are natural functions, not really "rude" or "inappropriate" unless used in improper contexts or to certain extremes. I don't think they are hilarious. But I have caught myself giggling at some of the body humor jokes... It can be funny in certain situations.

2.) There aren't really any cartoons for children that I find "most inappropriate" based on what age the child is. For example, I really wouldn't want my 5 year old watching Ed, Edd and Eddy. It's a cartoon aimed at prepubescent children or "tweens". The jokes are about zits, girls, etc. and has elements of humor not really aimed at 5 year olds. I wouldn't mind an 11 or 12 year old watching this cartoon, though.

I think parents should definitely take a more "parental" role in what their children are absorbing through the tube, the internet, the radio, their stereos, etc. I don't think parents should say "NO CARTOONS!" but instead, sit with their children and watch say, one or two different cartoons every so often. If the parent can't sit through another episode, it's a good call to say the child shouldn't be allowed to either. There is always outside, construction paper, cardboard boxes, animals, shiny stuff, etc.

I'm 20 years old, and expecting my first child in November. I definitely can't wait for him to start watching and enjoying cartoons like Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends, Dexter's Laboratory, Fairly Oddparents and Invader Zim... I grew up with New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, Tom & Jerry, "the Acme Hour" type stuff... I loved certain cartoons, but wasn't interested in others.

Children should definitely not be plugged in to Cartoon Network in their own room to go to bed. There is programming on Cartoon Network CERTAINLY not suitible for children. "Adult Swim" features alot of these. But note the name: ADULT swim. Just because it's animated, does NOT mean it's for kids!! Parents should WATCH the cartoons BEFORE their kids, to see if they want their kids watching them at all... Rating systems are helpful, but nothing is as good as a parent's own judgement.

Answer 3

That's why they make parental controls and blocks, so your kids don't watch that kind of stuff. Family Guy, The Simpsons and cartoons like that are adult cartoons, not kid cartoons, it even says it's rated NC-17 before it comes on, get a clue and use the parental block. I love the Family Guy because I'm 22 and am mature enough to realize that it's not for kids.

Answer 4

I'm not seeing children's cartoons being innappropriate as much as I'm hearing about younger and younger kids watching adult's cartoons, such as Bromwell High and The Simpsons. I once heard a five year old girl saying how much she loved Family Guy! Family Guy is a hilarious cartoon, but it's definitely not appropriate for kids. They swear all the time, and often feature nudity and sex (albeit cartoon sex.) Parents need to learn the difference between children and adult cartoons, and imply restrictions as to what they are allowed to watch.

Answer 5

I would say that the older cartoons are worse(such as bugs bunny getting shot and blowing up). These cartoons aren't that bad due to censors.

The worst cartoon inappropriate: The simpsons.
Reason? Because it comes on at a bad hour(like 7 pm when kids are most likely watching), the swear and all kinds of junk.

Answer 6

Since the "South Park Incident" I no longer watch Comedy Central. It's fine that adults want humor, too, but I think that cartoons should be for children.

Answer 7

Do you think cartoons messed you up? You grew up watching multiple attempts of the coyote trying to blow up the road runner. Fudd shooting bugs and daffy and so on. I think people that worry about cartoons these days need to find a hobby. Of course there are the adult cartoons which are outta control like Family guy and Futurama but thats why they are adult cartoons. BTW. last comment...parental block on the tv if you have a problem with these shows.

Answer 8

The older cartoons are much funnier to watch because the newer cartoons have way too much violence in them. I can't name any new ones right now because I still watch the older ones.

Answer 9

Yes, and thank you.
Seems like if it is animated somehow that gives it license to be vulgar, obnoxious, crude, profane, etc.
It actually is reaching kids because of it and is irresponsible.
"Family Guy" glorifies anything tasteless and inappropriate with no boundaries. I don't even want it on in my home. I am a teacher and my middle school students talk about how funny it is - but it is "garbage in and garbage out" - and just gives them mindless ( I am sorry, less than mindless) trash that wants to undo any character teaching or ideals we want to give them.
It is completely irresponsible, reprehensible junk that is done to make a buck and and exploit kids at vulnerable ages.

Answer 10

Yes. They are absolutely terrible.Most of the ones I cant stand are on cartoon network.