would you let.....???

Question

your 4 year old watch family guy and american dad??

my son loves those 2 cartoons but a lot of people call me a bad mother because i allow him to watch those. he doesnt understand what they mean so i dont see why he cant watch them. is it a bad idea???

Answer 1

Probably not. I love them, but the situations and language really aren't suitable for little ones. Especially seeing Stewie talk the way he does ... your kid might think that since Stewie talks like that, and he's only a baby, that it's okay for him to say and do those things. I probably wouldn't, but if you're concerned, watch SpongeBob. I like that as much as any kid does. That, and any Disney/Pixar movie.

Answer 2

Its the very fact that he doesn't understand everything going on that make it inappropriate. Unless you are there, monitoring everything he sees and hears, and are READY to explain it to him, he will eventually get to understand bits and pieces of it.

Because of this partial understanding, he will make some assumptions about it. His mind can't help it. It will connect pieces in ways that may be wrong and possibly harmful. Other bits and bieces will be connected for him by friends outside the home, and most of the subject matter that makes it so funny to adults will NOT be appropriately understood and handled by a four or five year old.

Example: Why, on American Dad, is it OK for Muslim men to control their wives and daughter's every action outside the home? Does your son understand that there are other cultures where this is the norm? Why is it OK to sell a person to another? Why is it OK for a person to take his underwear off in front of a stranger who feeds him and give him drinks?

Besides all this, I have real doubts that you have talked to your son about the difference between reality and what is shown on television. I can safely make this assumption, because you do not see the potential harm in letting such a young person watch these programs.

I refuse to call you a bad parent. After all, who offers a training manual for children? What I will do is take this question as if it is a serious one coming from someone who does not know.

Answer 3

Kids are more observant these days. They pick up language especially the unwanted words very quickly. The shows u mentioned above are adult oriented and use adult language. If you don't want your son to use trashy 4 letter words in front of other people and insult you, You must stop him from watching these cartoons immediately.Why in the world is a censor or a rating for shows?

Answer 4

He shouldn't watch them. Why not stick to wholesome cartoons? I mean, he's four. Does he really need to watch that garbage? HIs young years are when he is easily influenced and likes to repeat things. Are those the things you want him registering? Plus you let him get away with it now what aout when he is 7?10?14?. Not a good habit to start. Never underestimate a four year old. Seriously.

Answer 5

my son is 4 yrs old also and he watches shows like family guy and simpsons and king of the hill also i can tell he doesnt really know what they are talking about but when there is a funny part of the shows he will laugh like when the make wierd noises and stuff so to me its nots bad unless they pick up on it and it gets to out of had then it has to stop.

Answer 6

maybe you should make that decision for yourself, don't let other people raise your kid, and if these people calling you a bad mother are your "friends" then maybe you should find some that aren't so judgemental. It's not the TV that makes people's kids grow up "bad" it's the teaching of morals that determine what your kid will grow up to be like. My mother let me watch "boyz in the hood" when I was little, and it didn't make me a bad person, even though the neighbor scoffed at her for it.

Answer 7

They aren't made for kids, that's why they are on later. I'm not going to call you a bad mother, because my 7 y/o watches kung fu movies. LOL

However, if you let your kid watch those cartoons now, when he does get old enough to understand what's going on, he's going to be upset when you don't let him watch them anymore.

Answer 8

I've never seen American Dad, but I know I wouldn't let my kids watch Family Guy. Not even my oldest, who is 11. It is definitely geared for adults. What am I saying? I wouldn't even watch it. I don't like that kind of humor.

Answer 9

my 6 yr old and 2 yr old seem to watch those cartoons without my knowledge.... and I'd say it's a bad idea cause they learn off of it........and its not the good things they learn...its the bad things. I noticed my 6 yr trying to imitate the characters....which isn't good...believe me he's been grounded alot.....and just recently i learned how to use the parental controls.....thank goodness for who ever invented the parental controls.

Answer 10

YES! it is a VERY BAD IDEA! kids understand a lot more than you think at that age. Their little brains are like sponges at this age and model after everything they hear or say.Please don't expose your child's little brain to such things.