A: I share your misgivings. There's a trend toward a brand of violence
in some of the newer cartoons and toys - for example, He-Man,
Transformers, or G.I. Joe - that I see as a dangerous departure
from the more traditonal combat-type games in which boys have always
engaged.
For one thing, the characters tend to be adults involved in adult
activities, some of whichi are highly questionable. I don't feel that
they are appropriate role models for impressionable young children. In
addition, there's an occultic or New Age flavor to many of these
programs and products. The settings are mythical or futuristic, and
the action often revolves around superstition, sorcery and magic. In
other words, they concern me at the spiritual as well as the
psychological level.
Add to this the almost incredible power of the eletronic media,
which conveys the exploits of these dubious "heroes" to the tender
young viewer, and you'll have an even clearer understanding of my
apprehensions. Studies have measured actual pgysiological changes that
occur wahen a child is watching a violent television program or movie:
the pulse rate quickens, the eyes dilate, the hands sweat, the mouth
goes dry, and breathing accelerates.
It should be obvious that his kind of "entertainment" has a
dramatic emotional impact -- especially if it's reapeated often
enough. And the toys that are marketed as "spin-offs" from such
programs can only serve to reinforce or extend those negative
effects. What's more, I can't see that the bad elements are balanced
by any positive, healthy or educational contributions whatsoever.
That's why I'd suggest that you try to steer your children toward
alternative forms of enterainment. I know it's a scarce commodity, but
there is still some good television to be found - if you look for it.
Public stations and certain carefully selected cable services are a
good place to begin your search. Besides educational programs, they
often carry re-runs of some ofthe older TV series that date from a
time when the family and traditonal values were held in higher regard.
A VCR has advantages, too - it allows you to select and control the
kind of video entertainment that comes into your home. There are
already a number of fine Christian videos for children available on
the market.
Here at Focus on the Family, we're excited about our new "McGee abd
Me!" video series, which is being produced precisely to fill this gap.
And our "Adventure in Odyssey" radio dramas were originally conceived
as an alternative to the standard Saturday morning cartoon fare.
As far as toys are concerned, I would avoid those connected with the
objectionable programs I've already mentionaed. I wouldn't go so far
as to withold simple toy guns and water pistols from boys. I don't
believe that traditional "Cowboys and Indians" play carries the same
harmful, violent and spiritually destructive connotations.
As in so many other areas, there's a need for balance and
discernment here. You and your husband know your children best, and
you're in the best position to find a resolution to this problem that
fits your family.
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[Gosh, we certainly don't want anyone else's superstition, sorcery,
and magic confusing our kids. God wouldn't like people to believe in
superstitions and magic.
Also, what could be healthier than some boys playing good ole Cowboys
and Indians? Well ... Indians weren't Christians anyway. ]
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End of SubGenius Digest
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