A Rant on Violence in Cartoons
Posted
May 5, 2008 at
2:17 pm by
Kimberly
I know this issue is not novel, but I am beyond sick of cartoon characters toting guns.
Today my kids were watching the Jetix channel, which airs superhero shows like Spiderman, Batman and Superman. All three shows are rated TV-Y7. According to TV Guidelines.org, a TV-Y7 is “Directed to Older Children. This program is designed for children age 7 and above. It may be more appropriate for children who have acquired the developmental skills needed to distinguish between make-believe and reality. Themes and elements in this program may include mild fantasy violence or comedic violence, or may frighten children under the age of 7. Therefore, parents may wish to consider the suitability of this program for their very young children.”
I am more hardcore about cartoon content and do not let my kids, ages 6 and 3, watch Jetix. But my husband beat me to it and had it on for them when I came down for breakfast. He’s of the opinion that kids are going to see violence anyway; let’s let them see it in the home and talk about it there and they’ll be fine. I’m okay with that opinion, but in my house, three-year-olds do not watch violence. Period. So I usually win.
Anyway, as I reached for the remote to turn the channel to the never-offensive Noggin, two bad guys in the Batman show the kids were watching busted out machine guns — MACHINE GUNS! — and starting shooting all over like mad. I couldn’t get the channel off fast enough and then huffed and puffed for twenty minutes about the state of the world today. Then I called my friend and we both bemoaned the state of the world today, while my boys watched “Peep” instead.
I don’t care what the TV Guidelines rating system says. Even 7-year olds should not be exposed to superhero shows containing automatic-weapon-toting villains. I watched the Superfriends in their Hall of Justice when I was young, and I’m sure it had violence in it. I go back and watch the Pink Panther and other old shows now on Boomerang and am amazed at the amount of gun violence in them. And I turned out fine. But in the 70s kids weren’t killing others in grade schools, high schools and on college campuses. In the 70s, the number of yearly murders committed in the U.S. via gun violence was not what it is today. There is absolutely no excuse for gun violence in cartoons geared for children. It’s bad enough that the characters all kick the shit out of each other with their fists and legs (a whole other branch of the issue, a doubtless contributor to cage fighting among children now). But guns? And automatic ones? It makes me sick.
I was appalled when I went to see Ratatouille in theaters last year. The movie is rated “G” and I checked it out at Common Sense Media before taking the kids to see it. According to the Motion Picture Association of America, “A G-rated motion picture contains nothing in theme, language, nudity, sex, violence or other matters that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture. The G rating is not a “certificate of approval,” nor does it signify a “children’s” motion picture. Some snippets of language may go beyond polite conversation but they are common everyday expressions. No stronger words are present in G-rated motion pictures. Depictions of violence are minimal. No nudity, sex scenes or drug use are present in the motion picture.”
So a gun-toting grandma who opens fire on a group of rats is “nothing in violence that, in the view of the Rating Board, would offend parents whose younger children view the motion picture?” If so, that Rating Board is full of idiots. You’re sitting there happily, watching a cute little bunch of rats scurry out of grandma’s kitchen before she oh, swats them with a flyswatter, when out of nowhere, she grabs her shotgun and fires away, very abruptly, very loudly, at length, and very inappropriately for a G-rated movie. It was frightening for me and I’m 37. The movie should have been rated PG.
It totally pissed me off. I did my homework and at the time, no one who reviewed it (since it was new) made any mention of the gun scene or the other knife-throwing violence. So I chose to take my kindergartner and toddler to see it. I went home and did some more research and found one tiny mention of it in some obsure movie review site. The reviewer also said that they couldn’t find any criticism of it, and it seemed “mild” to him, but nevertheless, it was there.
Yes, it’s there. That’s my point. It’s even in a G-rated movie. When I go to a G movie, I expect it to be completely Pollyannish if nothing I’ve read tells me otherwise, and why shouldn’t I? That’s what G movies have always been like for me (though I’m sure there are others containing violence). Why is it the opposite, where now I should expect to see some kind of violence unless, miraculously, there’s not?
It’s clear that the television and film industries refuse to change their standards and take violence out of kids’ programming. And the only thing I can do about it, as usual, is not give them my money. But it doesn’t really matter, because someone else will, no matter how many kids take guns in their own hands in real life because, at least in part, TV and movies say it’s okay.
Tags: cartoon-violence, G-rated-movies, Jetix, violence-in-childrens-programming |
14 Responses to “A Rant on Violence in Cartoons”
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1. Rita said:
May 5, 2008 @ 4:59 pm
Honestly, kids don’t shoot up schools because of things they see in movies or on television. The old studies about how observing violent behavior causes violent behavior have been redone and not too surprisingly, have had different outcomes. The new and improved studies show pretty clearly that if kids watch violence, but are raised in otherwise non-violent settings, then there is no increase in violent behavior.
The kids who shoot up schools do so because they have deep rooted pathological issues.
I’m a social worker, with a degree in psychology and tons of experience working as a behaviorist. My own children watch different measures of violence. For us, what is appropriate and what isn’t is determined by each kid and his or her sensitivities. A movie that is rated G but has scary things happening to animals would send my 9 y.o. over the edge and give her nightmares for a week. But, PG-13 rated Iron Man was totally fine for her.
My older kids (9 and 13) are old enough for me to see that they have no underlying issues with violence. There is no psychological conflict inside them. They’re not bullies or gun fanatics. They’re normal, compassionate, responsible kids for their ages, and I suspect that will be how they’ll continue, since that’s how we’re raising them.
I think way too much is made over things that can have a little common sense applied. YOU don’t want to watch violent cartoons, then change the channel. But, don’t go on a rampage to change something other people don’t necessarily have a problem with.
2. Allison J said:
May 5, 2008 @ 5:31 pm
[quote comment="160753"]I think way too much is made over things that can have a little common sense applied. YOU don’t want to watch violent cartoons, then change the channel. But, don’t go on a rampage to change something other people don’t necessarily have a problem with.[/quote]
Rita, I couldn’t have said it better myself! Look at that, I agree with you (joking! I really do enjoy your writing and POV).
My two sisters and I were never into cartoons. In fact, I can’t recall ever watching them outside of the classic Disney films. My parents were not TV control freaks, but our viewing was very limited. They decided what each of us watched, and it was based largely in-part to what we could each handle.
Like Rita’s daughter, I still cannot handle watching any violence of cruelty to animals. The Halloween movies still make me panic at the thought, while my older sister can watch them alone, in the dark, in a haunted house…
I can still vividly remember when Paula Abdul’s Cold Hearted Snake video came out. It seems tame now, but it was racy for 1989. I was, under no circumstances, allowed to watch it. I thought I was slick and tried to watch it at a friend’s house. Shot down! My mom had already contacted my friend’s mom and laid out the rules.
This topic can go down many roads. What about Snow White — that witch plotted to kill her. And she wanted proof of death via her heart in a box! I think this can just spiral out of control.
I haven’t seen Ratatouille — but was that scene you described the only depiction of violence?
3. Kimberly said:
May 5, 2008 @ 6:06 pm
Rita, I’m not “going on a rampage to change something other people don’t necessarily have a problem with.” The post was a rant. I stated that I did change the channel, and that I do choose not to give my money to Disney or any other conglomerate that puts out a G movie with a machine-gun scene. And I realize that kids shoot up schools because they are sick puppies. You don’t have to be a behavioral psychologist to know that. I do have common sense, and I use it, as I hope other parents do as well when monitoring their childrens’ TV/movie viewing.
4. Rita said:
May 5, 2008 @ 7:18 pm
[When I go to a G movie, I expect it to be completely Pollyannish if nothing I’ve read tells me otherwise, and why shouldn’t I? That’s what G movies have always been like for me (though I’m sure there are others containing violence). Why is it the opposite, where now I should expect to see some kind of violence unless, miraculously, there’s not?]
But, as you said, G movies haven’t always been without violence. Bambi had the mother shot. Sleeping Beauty had the showdown at the end where the witch turned into the dragon. Mulan had the Huns attacking. So, I guess the only way you can really be sure that a movie is suitable for your kids is to view it first. Typically, that’s what we do.
[It’s clear that the television and film industries refuse to change their standards and take violence out of kids’ programming. And the only thing I can do about it, as usual, is not give them my money. But it doesn’t really matter, because someone else will, no matter how many kids take guns in their own hands in real life because, at least in part, TV and movies say it’s okay.]
Now, see, this is the part of your “rant” that I took issue with. First off, suggesting that television and film industries take violence out of kids’ programming (and it seems that’s what you want to happen with the whole thing before this, leading up to that first statement in this paragraph).
And, then secondly you say that your efforts will be futile because other parents won’t share in your boycott–so the standards won’t change anyway. It’s when you involve other people–the tv and movie industry and the other parents–that I take it as more than just a rant, you know?
Then your last sentence REALLY seems to say that it IS these movies (and parents’ different standards) that causes kids to use guns. I mean, doesn’t it? See, that’s where I poke my nose in and disagree.
Otherwise, I really don’t know what to say, other than yeah, you have to go pre-screen movies for your kids if there’s something you don’t want them to see. You can’t always rely on reviewers or industry ratings to screen for things. It’s not a lonely boat, there are a bunch of us in here. I mean, I’m fine with machine guns and knife throwing, but if there’s a dog that gets kicked, my 9 y.o. really can’t see it.
As for television, I really have never seen anything close to questionable content on Nick Jr or PBS. You’re pretty safe with those two things. And a diet of Blue’s Clues and Dora will let you sneak in a True Lies every once in a while without any lasting trauma
5. Allison J said:
May 5, 2008 @ 7:41 pm
Oh Bambi — that was traumatic for me. Even more so when a few weeks after seeing it my neighbor pulled into his driveway with a huge dead buck laying in the bed of his pick-up.
A lot of good TV and film has gone bad. It’s the same with video games.
6. Rita said:
May 5, 2008 @ 8:19 pm
Testing
7. Rita said:
May 5, 2008 @ 8:23 pm
OK, I keep trying to post this response, but it’s not going through. What am I doing wrong? Is it too long or something?
8. Jessica said:
May 5, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
Personally, I think there’s way less violence in children’s programing today because people are so hyper-aware. Have you seen any of those 50’s/60’s cartoons lately? Roadrunner? Bugs Bunny? Selvester? Tom and Jerry? That shit is crazy!
9. Rita said:
May 5, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
[quote comment="160755"]
Rita, I couldn’t have said it better myself! Look at that, I agree with you [/quote]
Actually, I get the feeling that if we lined things up, topic by topic, we’d agree on most things. It just seems to be the small stuff that we meta-debate.
10. julymom said:
May 6, 2008 @ 9:17 am
Jessica, I agree with you. I will not let ds watch Tom and Jerry because it is crazy violent. I won’t let him watch Cartoon Network at all because the cartoons on there are violent AND gross. He’s old enough now that I occassionally let him watch Jetix, but I monitor it pretty carefully.
As for Ratatoulle, those 2 scenes didn’t bother me or my ds at all. Every kids movie has violence of some sort in it. Even the Veggie Tales movie had sword fighting and crazy little cheese puff looking creatures that kept trying to eat the veggies (honestly that kind of freaked me out-ds thought it was funny). Even the original Mickey Mouse cartoons had a measure of violence in them. As long as ds isn’t scared, I’m okay with most of the G movies. If he sees something that he doesn’t understand or questions (guns, violence, etc) I use it as an opportunity to have a discussion with him.
I don’t think any of the kids who shoot others at school are doing so because some old woman in Ratatoulle shot at a pack of rats.
11. Rita said:
May 6, 2008 @ 9:33 am
[quote comment="160998"]J Even the Veggie Tales movie had sword fighting and crazy little cheese puff looking creatures that kept trying to eat the veggies (honestly that kind of freaked me out-ds thought it was funny). [/quote]
Yeah, that was just fucked up. Those living cheese snacks just really sat with me wrong. I can overlook a talking cucumber who somehow has invisible hands that move things, but an army of angry cheese puffs was too much. The wee one and I left before the movie was over, she was not impressed.
I have to say that while I am OK with certain types/levels of violence for my kids (varying according to kid), I was also really happy with Spielberg’s changes to ET. I thought in the context of that movie, taking out the guns and changing them into walkie-talkies was a good move. It wasn’t necessary. It’s not like the movie was bad or that kids couldn’t watch it otherwise. It’s just that the government guys were intimidating enough without weapons, and making them have weapons made them seem like BAD GUYS, and without weapons, it left it open for the viewer to decide–what would they have done with ET if they caught him.
So, it’s not like I’m “Rah-Rah” pro-violence or anything. I just like for parents to decide for themselves what’s appropriate for their own kids, and NOT have some industry or other body making those choices for us. Both editions of ET are available, too, so each person can decide for him/herself which they like better. Unlike Star Wars (which is a topic you don’t want to get my husband started on…what Lucas did to those originals).
12. Allison G. said:
May 6, 2008 @ 10:14 am
The cartoon violence doesn’t bother me so much because we talk to the kids up and down about what would really happen if someone was hurt or shot.
“No. If you get hit by a car, you don’t turn into a pancake. You could end up paralyized or worse, you could die. Do not run in the parking lot or street.”
“No. Cartoons are fake. If you shoot someone in the butt, they don’t get a red bump, they’ll lose a leg or probably die. Never ever touch guns.”
We have to talk about that because we have (locked up) guns in the house. So the chance of them seeing one happens fairly often when dh is cleaning them or storing them. They know all about never touching them, and what would happen if dad saw them doing it.
My bigger issue is how much sex is boldly or secretively put in kids movies. But that’s a whole other debate……
13. Kristy said:
May 6, 2008 @ 10:14 am
I don’t know. I agree that guns and violence don’t belong in children’s TV and movies. But OTOH, something like the scene with the old lady in Ratatouille did not seem at all violent to me. It seemed satirically comical, and I thought th message was clear that by pulling out that gun she not only failed to kill any rats, but she destroyed her own house in the process. She was in no way a cool gun-slinging destructo machine, you know?
14. friend said:
May 6, 2008 @ 10:47 am
[quote comment="160837"]Personally, I think there’s way less violence in children’s programing today because people are so hyper-aware. Have you seen any of those 50’s/60’s cartoons lately? Roadrunner? Bugs Bunny? Selvester? Tom and Jerry? That shit is crazy![/quote]
But do you remember Johnny Quest, and Rocky and Bullwinkle….that was classic!!!