Why don't the 30-something generation know any of the old fairy tales that us boomers were raised on?

Question

I am aways surprised when they don't know about Thumbelina, Tom Thumb, The Princess and the Pea, Puss n Boots, etc. They aren't even familiar with Mother Goose poems. What happened? To me they are classics that should not be lost.

Grimms Fairy Tales, Esophs Fabels, Han Christian Anderson...

Answer 1

Am I wrong in my impression that the 30-something generation ought to be the children of the boomers? And if that is the case, who is responsible for not passing these stories on? My parents were both born during the war, and I grew up with all sorts of fairy tales... Like you said, Aesop's fables, the Brothers Grimm and Hans Christian Anderson. Mother Goose, and when I was a little older, Edward Lear, Twain, and the Nancy Drew series.

I would certainly like to pass these on when I have children, though it isn't always easy to find them amid the flood of other children's books that are out there. The Disney versions just aren't the same.

Answer 2

It is not the problems with daycare/pre-school or divorces per say. A lot of couples that are divorced, instead of trying to help their children, would rather fight with each other and drag their kids into the middle. How are those children supposed to learn about a loving relationship? Those parents are more interested in blaming each other and sniping at each other than properly raising their children and then they over-compensate by buying their child's love. One parent, if they are the disciplinarian, will have a tough time because the other parent will be more lenient. This sends mixed messages to their child/ren. Also, a lot of parents are quick to put their child on drugs if they are told that they have ADD or ADHD. These drugs are not formulated for a child's body, and all it will do is send them the message that drugs are the answer. There are not as many kids with genuine ADHD as have been diagnosed, and there are natural ways to treat the kids that actually have it. These drugs can really mess a child up and parents need to realize that, and they need to learn how to get a long for their child's sake.

Answer 3

I guess they are passe by young mothers today. I have won-
dered myself. And perhaps, some may be politicallly incorrect, like Lil Black Sambo. I wanted our grandson to hear
the story. And our daughter was against it. For she felt strongly that it went against the racial platform. She felt it was
about a 'black' boy, when it was about a boy from India. And
it was written during the early 1900's or end of the 1800s'.
Anyway, I found a pancake house at the coast, that had a
stack of them for sale. And we bought a copy. And I read it
to him when he came to spend the night. And he loved it, as
I did as a small child. I sent it home with him one time and
he never saw it after he brought his things home. So she
must have tossed it out. She had a habit of tossing things
she felt he shouldn't have,or didn't play with anymore. That
included a mock Springfield rifle and some other toy guns.
I taught him some poems tho, and we'd sing some songs
when I'd take him in the pool. Like "Eensy weensy spider".
And "She'll be coming round the mountain", and some
other fun songs for little ones. There were many poems
we now learn had secret meanings and maybe those are
not considered acceptible today, like Humpty Dumpty. A
British friend explained what their interpretations were all
about. But now I've forgotten.

Answer 4

Do not blame the 30-something kids for that but blame it on us the earlier generations. It is we who kept them away from these flings into the firmament of imagination under a mistaken belief that when they are or are likely to soon actually move freely into space such imaginary talels would not interest them. However, I find now at the twilight of my life how the young generation pines for the flights of imaginations in the Old Wives' Tales. I volunteer to visit schools,hutments,orphanages for t elling these tales as a hobby I am overwhelmed by the assuddiousness with which the lads and lasses crowd for the sessions. They now do bing out attrllactive books/CDs for children but it is all second hand. I consider myself and my generation to have heard them straight from the mouth of the great storytellers like our grandmas,pas and teachers.I observe an indescribable dryness in the 30 plus kids who did not receive enough life giving waters of those beautiful tales.And the defaulters were we . It is no wonder their overall attitudes to us is dry.

Answer 5

Granny, it is sad, isn't it? I think it is because of the need for a two person income. This took the mother from the home and placed her into a career. Now, as a result of this, the Mother's overly compensate and want their children doing calculus (lol) before they even walk into a classroom!

Many of the children of today, will never have a childhood like we did and that makes me sad as they are entitled to being a child, before they have to deal with much reality in this world!

I also think this is why we have so many angry children! They are just being pushed to succeed from the time they sit up almost.

So, in my opinion, this is why they do not know all the great classics! But, I bet many can run circles around us when it comes to these computers! I bet they can recall most every version of computer games, since Nintendo! Unfortunately, I bet they can name off many TV programs you and I never knew about!

Now, the children are not safe to even play outside, like we did! It is a HORRIBLE thing and changes have brought about a whole new breed of "adult children."

My heart breaks for them.

Answer 6

Yeah....well have you gone back and re read some of those stories and songs? Have you thought about the words to Rock a Bye Baby?? and the Brothers Grim stories??? Shudder Shudder,,, some of them are scareeeee. My granddaughter would never go for those...she was scared of Cookie Monster and clowns and dolls . One thing..I didn't like it when a group of Christians wrote a book of all the fairy tales and changed them. A book IS WHAT IT IS !! They should write their OWN fairy tales. We're confused enough by all the changes!!!! PS...How many of us had our lives "fractured" by looking and waiting for Cinderella's Prince Charming??? I'm STILL waiting for him !!! lol WHERE ARE YOU???? ANSWER ME !!! ARE YOU ON HERE????

Answer 7

It's the fault of the parents. I read fairy tales to both my boys. To me, fairy tales aren't something you read yourself. The pleasure is having them read to you. I did notice, that as I got older (as with my sons)I would pickup the book and read them for myself. Funny this question should come up. I was watching a re-run of Shrek(love it)and mentioned to my husband, that you had to be an adult to appreciate a lot of the humor and references, fairy tales being one of those things. Because most of the kids today, probably don't have a clue, the story behind most of those fairy tale characters.

Answer 8

I love those stories, as a kid my Momma read me every one :) also watched the cartoon versions. I don't know about the 30-something generation (or even my generation for that matter)
But I really enjoyed these fairy tales as a kid, and when I have kids I will read the same fairy tale to them for them to enjoy.

age 21

Answer 9

My kids are that age, and you are quite right. I didn't read those stories to them, despite reading to them every night for many years. We used to read Dr Seuss, Roald Dahl, those little Golden Books, but not fairy tales. I just wasn't that keen on them. I really loved the Roald Dahl stories - a bit naughty and funny. My kids would fall about laughing when we'd read about people playing horrible tricks on each other....sometimes quite revolting things went on in those stories ! But the best thing was, we DID read a lot, and consequently they are both avid readers now.

Answer 10

I'm a "Boomer" & I bought the Little Golden Books for my children & read to them over & over again, at an early age, until they actually knew the stories by heart. Every time I went shopping, I bought a new book. I loved spending that special time reading to my children. They enjoyed it & I did too. I also read to my children from a book of bedtime stories that was mine as a child. My sons & their wives began reading to their children at an early age as well, & all my grandchildren are very smart in school & love to read. For Christmas, I buy gift certificates at the bookstore so they can select their own books.