Are TV Shows For Children Safe?

Kids

oi-Staff

Friday, December 18, 2009, 14:20

To the surprise of parents, TV shows meant for children carry underlying political themes that often influence kids on forming their own opinions.

TV shows such as, Thomas and Friends (which is a show about adventures on a fictional island ) do not seem to be constructive for youngsters.

While the show conveys a number of positive political values such as tolerance, listening, communicating with others and contributing to the community it also represents a conservative political ideology that punishes individual initiative, opposes critique and change, and relegates females to supportive roles.

Out of 49 main characters of the show, only eight were female, reflecting a general trend among children's programming. Parents, teachers and other experts such as political scientists would be wise to give children's shows a closer look.

Parents thinks that TV shows for children are neutral and safe but they should wake up to the fact that these shows also carry underlying messages. Eventually each child would attain political citizenship and their opinions and outlook towards the world should not be influenced by similar shows.