What's the most absolutely wrong "lesson" you've seen taught in media aimed at kids?

[skykiii]

The rule is it has to be an intended message, as far as you know (that's me giving you wiggle room there). I don't want to hear any TV Tropes-ish "the message *could* be taken *this* way even though that clearly wasn't the intent" bullshit.

Please go into as much detail as you like, I love reading it.

... For myself, I absolutely can't stand "the importance of family" shit. Family is just the bunch of idiots you got thrown in with by random lottery, and IRL a lot of people who use this message are using it to abuse and emotionally manipulate kids.

 

[thegooddoctor]

The entire storybook of the The Ugly Duckling, the book should be about self acceptance and learning to be happy with not being a normally attractive being in society, but by the end of the book the duckling doesn't have an epiphany after all the shit that he's been through being shat on by other animals and even his own family, to be like 'Im different, I can be happy with that, fuck them! Instead, the dude turns into a beautiful swan for no reason at the end and is accepted for finally being of a high enough standard to cater to societies shallow outlook. Its basically unintentional or not saying 'If your not beautiful your life is worthless unless you change yourself to cater to other peoples opinions even if they treat you badly' Real nice message to give to like the 4 year olds who first read that guys.

 

[Cilleystring]

That it's ok to mutilate your genitals

 

[Shidoen]

That it’s fine to leave your enemies alive for a second chance.

 

[Lady Adjani]

skykiii[/USER]]
... For myself, I absolutely can't stand "the importance of family" shit. Family is just the bunch of idiots you got thrown in with by random lottery, and IRL a lot of people who use this message are using it to abuse and emotionally manipulate kids.

The message is wasted on children anyway, it's only after you've grown up that you realize that your parents and siblings are the only people that will love you unconditionally.

 

[Lone MacReady]

That a Banana Republic of non-assymilating warring tribes can actually remain a functioning body.

 

[byuu]

"Don't trust strangers"
Strangers are awesome. Sometimes they even have candies.

 

[The Last Stand]

That it's ok to mutilate your genitals

That you're at a disadvantage because of your race.

 

[Astro Loafo]

There's like this under belly within the right leaning groups that whites are this bringer of light race. That every thing modern was brought through them and everyone else is just stone aged monkeys.

You even have speakers talking about iq to justify it. Like in one Jordan Peterson talks about how low the iq of south africans in uni are. The test he conducted was based on pattern recognition to try to be less biased. But the reality of the test is that pattern recognition at higher levels can also mean autism, not just iq.

And it's not so much a bitter rant but it's almost a blindness. Imagine punk music you would think some British or American band. You would think someone white. But punk originates from Peru. Synth and new wave.... Chile. And even I find it baffling that I can't process this.

 

[sadbird]

"be yourself!" No matter who you are apparently, or what it means for other people including younger children. People have absolutely taken this to mean who you are outwardly because it's easier to change who you are outside than inside.

The message is wasted on children anyway, it's only after you've grown up that you realize that your parents and siblings are the only people that will love you unconditionally.

For the most part yeah I would say this is pretty true. The most successful assholes in the world are all putting their own families first and ensuring the passing of wealth through strong generational bonds, while the rest of us are being told single motherhood is fantastic, and that it's okay to spawn abusive psychopaths who will never know love or kindness, etc.

 

[Blasted Heath]

The retarded message that bullies and villains are actually misunderstood and hurting inside and just need a hug. It's such a boring trope. I swear that's the theme in half the shows my younger cousins watch these days, and the same goes for kids' books. Idgaf about that message being used every now and then -- it's not the end of the world, it provides nuance, it's just fiction, who cares -- but let's face it, most assholes will only lay off after a good fist to the face.

Also -- why does every piece of media need a moral in the first place? Some of the best books I read growing up were the ones where the characters were just having a good time.

 

[Prophetic Spirit]

And it's not so much a bitter rant but it's almost a blindness. Imagine punk music you would think some British or American band. You would think someone white. But punk originates from Peru. Synth and new wave.... Chile. And even I find it baffling that I can't process this.

Yeah, take that South American cock, you fucking whinny bitch.

 

[Drkinferno72]

The episode of Arthur where Arthur finally snaps and hits DW. Muh "hitting is wrong" despite the fact Arthur told dw multiple times not to touch his model airplane

 

[Buttigieg2020]

There's like this under belly within the right leaning groups that whites are this bringer of light race. That every thing modern was brought through them and everyone else is just stone aged monkeys.

You even have speakers talking about iq to justify it. Like in one Jordan Peterson talks about how low the iq of south africans in uni are. The test he conducted was based on pattern recognition to try to be less biased. But the reality of the test is that pattern recognition at higher levels can also mean autism, not just iq.

And it's not so much a bitter rant but it's almost a blindness. Imagine punk music you would think some British or American band. You would think someone white. But punk originates from Peru. Synth and new wave.... Chile. And even I find it baffling that I can't process this.

What fucking kids shows are you watching lol?

Caillou was famous for teaching kids that being a massive asshole to your parents was how you get what you want. Same with any teenage girls media really.

 

[Niggolash]

The entire storybook of the The Ugly Duckling, the book should be about self acceptance and learning to be happy with not being a normally attractive being in society, but by the end of the book the duckling doesn't have an epiphany after all the shit that he's been through being shat on by other animals and even his own family, to be like 'Im different, I can be happy with that, fuck them! Instead, the dude turns into a beautiful swan for no reason at the end and is accepted for finally being of a high enough standard to cater to societies shallow outlook. Its basically unintentional or not saying 'If your not beautiful your life is worthless unless you change yourself to cater to other peoples opinions even if they treat you badly' Real nice message to give to like the 4 year olds who first read that guys.

Funny you should mention that, because the one adaptation I can recall from my childhood actually bothered to incorporate a positive message about self-esteem.

 

[Queen Elizabeth II]

You can be anything you want to be.

I can pick my gender
I can be the most special snowflake
I deserve to be given things

Honey shut the fuck up and get back on the production line nobody gives a a shit.

 

[A-Stump]

Cailou is pretty awful. Kid throws a shitfit and gets whatever he wants. That's literally the lesson of the show.

 

[PipTheAlchemist]

The entire storybook of the The Ugly Duckling, the book should be about self acceptance and learning to be happy with not being a normally attractive being in society, but by the end of the book the duckling doesn't have an epiphany after all the shit that he's been through being shat on by other animals and even his own family, to be like 'Im different, I can be happy with that, fuck them! Instead, the dude turns into a beautiful swan for no reason at the end and is accepted for finally being of a high enough standard to cater to societies shallow outlook. Its basically unintentional or not saying 'If your not beautiful your life is worthless unless you change yourself to cater to other peoples opinions even if they treat you badly' Real nice message to give to like the 4 year olds who first read that guys.

Spoken like a true ugoid

 

[glass_houses]

"You can be anything you want to be" is right up there.

The other one is that the creepy, isolated, ostracised adult that absolutely everyone tells you not to go near because he's a paedophile murderer, is actually just misunderstood and just needs you to be their friend and they'll suddenly be completely normal under the smell of shit and stale wine. Stay away from the homeless nutjob, for the love of Christ!

 

[Dirk Willems]

Less serious, but when I was learning to drive, my instructor taught me to focus only on the front wheels, and that "the back wheels would follow". Fortunately, dad made sure I knew how actually to drive, but I often wonder how a driving instructor could get such a fundamental thing so perfectly wrong.