Elif Ozcan
Unlearning the Myths That Bind Us
This author Linda Clmstenscn argues that TV shows for children
are bad to watch. They are sexist and racist movies and cartoons that children watch
as well as adults. The article talks about how little girls see the fairy tales
such as Cinderella, and cartoons like Mulan and Aladdin as nice stories. They
are influenced by these kinds of productions and begin waiting for a charming prince
to come and take them to happy places. Also it teaches young girls and
teenagers that African American people are fat and lower class. They also teach children not to do anything
with lower class and racially and culturally diverse people. The article also
said that all these girls learn that being pretty, and having a nice and rich
husband is what they need. These movies and cartoons teach children at an early
age that this is what the world is. Also there are other movies like the three
movies that the article talks which show in wrong ways how non-white and poor
people live in their culture. Another issue is that these kinds of movies and
cartoons teach that our step sisters and brothers are evil. If your mom or dad marries to someone and if they
have children then they will be evil. It
teaches our children that this really is what happens. Also they show how step mothers
and fathers are horrible. How they make their husband’s daughter clean the
house, and make dinner. It doesn't show that in real life step parents and
families are not like this. I think there is need for movies showing the positive
side s of blended families; movies showing that any parent can be loving and
caring. Also there should be a fairy tale with gay parents. In all movies good parents
are all strait people. It would show
children that having a different family is great. Also being a different race such
as African American or being from a different country such as Egypt or China
should not be seen as a disadvantage. I know it is getting better but we have
to still show how different cultures and races are also great to be with. 
Hey Elif!
ReplyDeleteTry putting this link "http://images1.fanpop.com/images/photos/2400000/Cinderella-Wallpaper-cinderella-2428423-1024-768.jpg" for the first image, as right now it's not working partially because it's not linked up properly. If you copy and paste the link above it should work.
I agree with your comment on the need for blended families to be represented in these children stories. We do need more representation of all the different kinds of families, for as it stands now it can be super alienating for a child who has two moms, or only one dad, or perhaps just a grandmother and an auntie. If they keep seeing images and portrayals of "normal kids" who have families nothing like theirs then they may begin to see themselves and their families as abnormal and that can wreck a child's self-esteem and familial connection.
Thanks for sharing,
Andrea S.