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

[The Gifted Kid]

Captain Planet... the whole series and its messages have aged like milk. It's actually funny how insane that show was in retrospect. I especially like the one episode that framed China's one child policy as a good thing and that other countries should follow suit. There were a few other cartoons from the 90s that had similar messages but I can't remember the names of them.

 

[Return of the Freaker]

Captain Planet... the whole series and its messages have aged like milk. It's actually funny how insane that show was in retrospect. I especially like the one episode that framed China's one child policy as a good thing and that other countries should follow suit. There were a few other cartoons from the 90s that had similar messages but I can't remember the names of them.

Captain Planet literally had an episode where the Planeteers had to defend the Rio Conference from attack AKA the UN conference that drafted Agenda 21

 

[Kiwi Lime Pie]

My parents raised me going to funerals (mostly it was people I didn't hardly know if at all, the first actual close relative that died I was about 20) and apparently there were lots of parents in that generation who wouldn't take kids to funerals because they thought it would traumatize them.

Can confirm. I don't remember the visitation at all, but I was around 5 years old when I was taken to my first funeral visitation. I think it was someone my parents knew whose kid died young from childhood cancer. Everyone was surprised my parents took me to a funeral home, let alone the visitation for a kid around my age, because of the whole idea death was too traumatizing. However my parents apparently talked to me beforehand and I wasn't bothered or upset one bit by the experience.

I suppose it depends on how parents approach death. If they're in denial about it, they'll either avoid the topic or go out of their way to be overprotect to avoid traumatizing their kids. If they're realistic about it, they will find an age-appropriate way to handle it. I like the example someone up-thread used of a body that's broken and can't work any more. There's also the example of how (classic) Sesame Street handled the actor thay played Mr. Hooper's death by including it in the show and using Big Bird as a way to explain to a young kid what happened and how to handle the ensuing questions.

 

[mario if smoke weed]

The whole fucking idea that dogs are "man's best friend" and that every kid should adopt a dog, love dogs, let dogs lick your face.

Dogs aren't just gross and ugly, they're dangerous to small children. Not just bully breeds, but dogs in general. They can maul kids if they're pissed off enough, infect kids with diseases, and they cost way too damn much for what they're worth. Yet a bunch of crazies managed to convince families to go out and get them, even the fucked up little ones.

You know how many shows have dogs as the "lovable pet"? Too many to count. Some of those shows vilify cats too. Shit's fucked.

Edit: found the dog nut *points down*

 

[The Curmudgeon]

Any shows that have one character suddenly doing better than their friends and peers, then those same friends/peers get jealous and guilt trip the successful character back into mediocrity. Usually this said character is shown to be good at something, or smart, or their standard of living improves. Before you know it, they're the bad guy simply because they stopped being a loser or a generic normie. Basically, the lesson is that you should never strive to be better because you might hurt people's feelings.

 

[glass_houses]

The whole fucking idea that dogs are "man's best friend" and that every kid should adopt a dog, love dogs, let dogs lick your face.

Dogs aren't just gross and ugly, they're dangerous to small children. Not just bully breeds, but dogs in general. They can maul kids if they're pissed off enough, infect kids with diseases, and they cost way too damn much for what they're worth. Yet a bunch of crazies managed to convince families to go out and get them, even the fucked up little ones.

You know how many shows have dogs as the "lovable pet"? Too many to count. Some of those shows vilify cats too. Shit's fucked.

Edit: found the dog nut *points down*

Respectfully disagree, but I still love you.

Growing up my dog was my best mate. I had a pretty rough time for a number of reasons, and the only thing in this world that gave me unconditional love and acceptance was my dog. He protected myself and family members during bad situations several times, even though generally he was an overgrown pansy. My dog was the best mate I've ever had, irregardless of species. I've never had another dog since because nothing could replace him.

I've had bad experiences with untrained and aggressive dogs too, so I'm not going to downplay the fact that they can be dangerous when they're badly bred, untrained, or rottweilers, but having a good dog by your side is wonderful and a great thing for a kid.

EDIT: A word

 

[Jason Wynn]

Be nice to the weirdos of the world because you don’t know what they’re going through.

The one episode that stands out to me most is Pigeon Man from Hey Arnold. Nice little sentimental episode but for every one truly misunderstood weirdo like Pigeon Man there’s twenty nut jobs who would have robbed, beat the shit out of or done something worse to Arnold or a kid like him. Most people like Pigeon Man aren’t kindhearted loners with a heart of gold, they’re drug addicts, mentally ill, violent and wound up where they’re at because of their bad life decisions. Teach kids to avoid these people because they’re more often than not dangerous

 

[thebananaonion]

The whole fucking idea that dogs are "man's best friend" and that every kid should adopt a dog, love dogs, let dogs lick your face.

Dogs aren't just gross and ugly, they're dangerous to small children. Not just bully breeds, but dogs in general. They can maul kids if they're pissed off enough, infect kids with diseases, and they cost way too damn much for what they're worth. Yet a bunch of crazies managed to convince families to go out and get them, even the fucked up little ones.

You know how many shows have dogs as the "lovable pet"? Too many to count. Some of those shows vilify cats too. Shit's fucked.

Edit: found the dog nut *points down*

It's not tht we're dog nuts it's just you're being dumb.
i will agree with the villanising cats thing though.
this whole cats vs dogs/ dogs good cats bad or vise versa thing does help to no animals. Showing off that dogs are these perfect pets that do no wrong and cats as these mischievous little shit bags constantly is what leads to peopl being bad dog/ cat owners.
'well i cant say no the little Rover look how cute he is. it was only a plushie anyway...'
'well cats are just assholses so no need to correct bad behavior'

Spoiler: dogs

Tiny powerlevel but ive owned both cats and dogs. Dogs are harder to train in my experience because most breeds were made for working. Also dont get a husky unless you have a big garden- many people buy dogs for the aesthetics and not the ethicality of the breed their buying. Make sure you have one that aligns with your lifestyle. You run frequently? then a husky or a wippet is fine for you (if you can put up with huskies backtalking and screaming at fuck all). More into a quieter lifestyle/ Westies and Shi-zus are your pick. Each breed is its own puzzle to solve, do research and ensure the breed's fit for your life otherwise you get behavioral issues, a mess of a dog and if left to go to bad, a dangerous one. Just do your own research ffs and yeah, adopt over shop. Who cares if a dog is a pure-inbreed pedigree? yes many adopted dogs may be harder to train than a newly born puppy because dogs can experience past trauma too, but its very rewarding, and many old dogs need a good last few years of life in a loving home rather than in a pen. Puppy mills lead to old dogs and unwanted dogs in adoptive centres.

Spoiler: cats

When it comes to cats, the issue is- people try to treat them like dogs. no, seriously. People think basic things like heavy panting or tail flicking is normal behaviour because theyre projecting dog trates onto cats. This is why cats are seen as assholes- they do things you wouldnt expect a dog to do, so people get pissy. Cats need more beds around the house, a high place to relax, more space and alone compared to a dog, and especially, do not mistake tail flicking for a wagging tail- the cat's becoming pissed, back up. and yes catbreeds exist, and each breed is their own deal too like how a Ragdolls are calmer or a Main Coon are a beast and are very protective of their owner. emphasis on the singluar- because they will pick favourites and if you have a partner it will take a lot of training and time for the cat to be fine with their favourite human's attention not constantly being on them/trust other people is hard.
And yes, cats can be lovable creatures you just have to wait for them to come to you. you can easily go up to your dog and pet them no issue because they were bred to unconditionally love their humans. cats were bred to kill mice on farms and occasionally fed as a thank you. if you dont keep their chasing-catching behaviour in tack or feed them consistently at the same time, theyre going to act out by annoying you because that's how they insured farmers fed them.

Spoiler: both can get along too

oh and the myth cats and dogs can't get along is only partially true. dogs may mistake tail flicking from cats as a sign of negaguement, vise versa cats mistake it for a sign of agression but if you slowly introduce the animals to eachother, led them feed beside eachother with a barricade between just to get use to sent, make sure the animals have their own seporate beds away from eachothe r(especially a high placed one for the cat), then things should be a lot better

 

[PipTheAlchemist]

The whole fucking idea that dogs are "man's best friend" and that every kid should adopt a dog, love dogs, let dogs lick your face.

Dogs aren't just gross and ugly, they're dangerous to small children. Not just bully breeds, but dogs in general. They can maul kids if they're pissed off enough, infect kids with diseases, and they cost way too damn much for what they're worth. Yet a bunch of crazies managed to convince families to go out and get them, even the fucked up little ones.

You know how many shows have dogs as the "lovable pet"? Too many to count. Some of those shows vilify cats too. Shit's fucked.

Edit: found the dog nut *points down*

Agreed. Adopt foxes, instead. They're way cooler

 

[Xarpho]

Can confirm. I don't remember the visitation at all, but I was around 5 years old when I was taken to my first funeral visitation. I think it was someone my parents knew whose kid died young from childhood cancer. Everyone was surprised my parents took me to a funeral home, let alone the visitation for a kid around my age, because of the whole idea death was too traumatizing. However my parents apparently talked to me beforehand and I wasn't bothered or upset one bit by the experience.

I suppose it depends on how parents approach death. If they're in denial about it, they'll either avoid the topic or go out of their way to be overprotect to avoid traumatizing their kids. If they're realistic about it, they will find an age-appropriate way to handle it. I like the example someone up-thread used of a body that's broken and can't work any more. There's also the example of how (classic) Sesame Street handled the actor thay played Mr. Hooper's death by including it in the show and using Big Bird as a way to explain to a young kid what happened and how to handle the ensuing questions.

I never had any pets as a really young kid but parents that tell their kids that Fido and/or Whiskers "went to a farm" or something pisses me off, and I'm glad my parents would never do that.

 

[supremeautismo]

A lot of 90’s movies had the theme of “Dad needs to spend more time with his kids and he’s bad if he doesn’t!” It just feels really reductive when a lot of parents have to work constantly just to make ends meet, and quitting their job and putting their family in jeopardy isn’t really the smart move.

Also, movies where the divorced parents get back together. Encouraging this is so damaging to a child’s psyche. Hollywood really didn’t handle divorce well 25+ years ago.

 

[LinkinParkxNaruto[AMV]]

The hyperfocus on the power of friendship.

Lets be real, most people shed their group of friends every few years as they grow up and later in life friendships are formed more from mutual benefit and self interest. Kids media doesn't teach self reliance and dealing with change enough, but waiting until some friends pick you up who will be there forever because friendship is magic.

I like media that acknowledges that childhood friendship is nice but people move on and thats ok. Like the girl who leap through time, i think Digimon did something like that, were the chosen kids just kinda go their own way and each has their own lives by the end.

 

[Xarpho]

A lot of 90’s movies had the theme of “Dad needs to spend more time with his kids and he’s bad if he doesn’t!” It just feels really reductive when a lot of parents have to work constantly just to make ends meet, and quitting their job and putting their family in jeopardy isn’t really the smart move.

Also, movies where the divorced parents get back together. Encouraging this is so damaging to a child’s psyche. Hollywood really didn’t handle divorce well 25+ years ago.

I can only think of The Parent Trap that did such a thing. Most of the Spielberg movies didn't have a full family resolution because he had a hang-up about his own family. In The Santa Clause the ex-wife gets a new husband and he gets an Oscar Meyer Weenie Whistle at the end.

 

[cream pie]

That you should listen to your feelings instead of your superiors. I look forward to bulldozing their neighborhoods in 2032 to create subsidized housing projects that I can extort rent and pimp them out from

 

[Freshly Baked Socks]

You can trust a nigger. What, are you racist?

[to self: Why does my bike keep getting stolen?]

 

[skykiii]

Captain Planet... the whole series and its messages have aged like milk. It's actually funny how insane that show was in retrospect. I especially like the one episode that framed China's one child policy as a good thing and that other countries should follow suit. There were a few other cartoons from the 90s that had similar messages but I can't remember the names of them.

God, Captain Planet is a show I can't tell if I like it ironically or not. It's basically proto-Woke culture in the sense that it starts from premises that make some sort of sense, and to be fair most episodes are fine.... but then there's the batshit.

There's one episode in season one that bothers me though, and its not insane or anything, just.... okay, the plot is Sly Sludge has claimed to invent a pollution-free way of getting rid of garbage via a shrink ray. The twist is the ray is actually just a light show and the trash is being sent to a volcano to be incinerated. The show acts like this is terrible (even though Sludge is actually not being villainous for once and seems to genuinely think this is a good solution), but....

....Like, why wouldn't this work? Is there a real reason? The best the episode itself gives us is that the volcano erupts... but it never says the trash set it off. For all we know, it was going to erupt anyway.

It's an autistic thing to get hung up on, I know, but like.... why isn't this a solution?

 

[Safir]

The entire storybook of the The Ugly Duckling

> What's the most absolutely wrong "lesson" you've seen taught in media aimed at kids?
That baby swans are ugly.
They're adorable!

(And if ducks were hating on a cygnet just because he doesn't look like a duckling, why would they find a swan beautiful?)

Crime doesn't pay." Is probably the most dangerously spread lessons in our society.

Crime pays but for a certain type of person. Stories in which a sympathetic normie turns to crime out of desperation have it right: he will get fucked, probably by career criminals too.

All he cared about was his career and being the "best".

By not crossing the finish line and instead helping Doc, he demonstrates that his priorities changed and that he values the friends he made over his ego.

All he cared about was being the best at racing, now all he cares about is being the best at virtue signalling.

Any shows that have one character suddenly doing better than their friends and peers, then those same friends/peers get jealous and guilt trip the successful character back into mediocrity.

I haven't seen it irl to work even as a cautionary tale as long as we're talking normies and not a crab bucket of complete degenerates. The real danger is almost always is that if you become successful, your friends/peers will want you to make them successful too.

 

[LinkinParkxNaruto[AMV]]

The real danger is almost always is that if you become successful, your friends/peers will want you to make them successful too.

Kids media has some weird takes about rich families. Tropes were the rich kid has divorced parents, the one rich kid is really sickly and overprotected or is lonely and gets no attention from his parents who are never around or are too materialistic and work obssesed to notice them. If a kid from the main cast becomes rich the plot of the episode becomes how he suddenly feels alienated by his new upper class lifestyle and misses his former friends so much he is happy to be back in the poorhouse

I know it sucks but many rich kids irl are well adjusted and have lovely nuclear families who love them, life can really be unfair like that.

 

[TheGoodNamesHaveBeenTaken]

Others have hit on this but the whole "The bully is just crying out for help becase he has problems at home" trope.

Guess what? Everyone has problems at home. Most people don't seek out smaller/ weaker people to beat up to make us feel better.

 

[Overcast]

I remember watching The Lego Movie 2 a few years back and there was this sub-plot where the queen of the alien things emotionally manipulates Batman into marrying her by saying that if he won't marry her that she's sure Superman would. I thought at first that this was just a goofy scene that would lead into another scene where Batman breaks things off. Later on however, they both realize that they actually did love each other all along.

This is the same movie that not so subtly talks about how bad toxic masculinity is while also saying to "be yourself".

Like, I know these movies don't take themselves that seriously, but that's still kind of a fucked up message to be sending to kids.