Sesame Street is introducing a new character whose father is in prison. Good or Bad? Is there a meta-message?

Just like all of those kiddos who were influenced by Bert and Ernie living together and decided to be gay because it’s normal, I suspect we’ll see in increase in crime because a show will be representing prison as normal~.

@tom_g Lol. You’re not being serious, are you? :p

I don’t think it’s a problem, and I like the part about encouraging kids to express themselves. Mind you, one doesn’t need a jailed father edition for this to happen. However I highly doubt that this will portray jail as something ’‘normal and acceptable’’. Although if it is the case that more and more peeps are being jailed, the show deals with that, and it must have done its research before coming up with this. Number of kids out there with incarcerated parents and whatnot. Somewhere somehow, it must be an issue.
What I’m worried about is how they’ll probably tell all the kids about how wonderful and perfect the justice system is, and how people in prison are being taken care of. Then again, wouldn’t be much of a kids show if they were told the darker truth lol.

@Symbeline – Sure I am~. The only reason our kids don’t get involved in a life of crime is because kids’ programming has been (so far) free from showing kids how normal, acceptable, and downright awesome it is to be a parent in prison! Once we open the door by glamorizing this amazing lifestyle, our kids will go all Lord of the Flies batshit crazy and start dropping rocks on kids’ heads.~

My daughter in law who grew up in this situation says it is a good thing. It will not be on the regular programming, but rather on an educational section of the online program, by choice only.

In no way does this promote being in prison, but does give children a place to safely learn how to cope with a real life situation for many.

I am a suburban girl who grew up pretty sheltered in a “good Catholic family” and I am related to two people whose fathers were in prison most of the time they were growing up. One grew up in the 1970’s and one in the 1990’s so it crosses generations. I don’t think this character sends the message that having a parent in prison is the new normal, just that kids living with a parent in prison are not completely abnormal.

It will help kids deal with a parent in prison or just the issues of an absent father. It seems like a very good idea.

I bet O.J is pleased, so proud, so very, very proud.

You can hardly pretend they don’t exist when over 2 million Americans are living in them at any one time.

I like it. I’m not aware of knowing anyone that lived through this situation, but clearly this is about the kids, not the incarceerated parent and I like that some of the best monsters in the business might be able to help young kids in this situation get perespective as well as those who might know the children of prisoners. I’m on board for anything that will help anull destructive stereotypes, insecurities and such.

@fundevogel I agree totally. That was right along the lines of what I wanted to say.

SS has always done a great job expressing diversity. Can’t blame them for attempting something new. But I hope they commit fully, with regular appearances of this new character. Would be really sad to see him fade away.

Actually that’s a good idea.

They should do one for abuse and other things, too, and maybe try to empower kids to help mothers get out of abusive relationships.

My 6 year old grandson was recently told by his 8 year old cousin that my grandson’s father is in prison. He didn’t know. His Mom has been telling him that his father is on vacation. He has been gone for about 18 months, and will get out in December.
My heart is breaking for my grandson having to come to terms with this at such an age. I think a character on Sesame Street trying to help him deal with it is wonderful. That it is being handled so well, by putting on an online site impresses me.
@tom_g I understand how you feel, and I agree with some of your points, but from my perspective this is a very good thing.

Thumbs up.

@filmfann: ”@tom_g I understand how you feel, and I agree with some of your points, but from my perspective this is a very good thing.”

For the record, I was liberally applying Fluther’s own sarcasm tag (~). I think it’s a really good thing too.

I think it’s a good thing.

People go to jail sometimes, and some of those people have kids. Sesame Street has never shied away from hard situations before and I’m glad they’re keeping up the good work.

Anyone remember when Mr. Hooper died? I think that was the first experience with death for a lot of the youngest of us, myself included.

I remember when the caterpillar on the Big Comfy Couch died .. still traumatizes me.