Critical Thinking and Complications of Older Children's Stories

 So I came across an article about changing children’s books and their endings to more appropriate ones that speak to modern times. It's called 'Writer Reworks 'Love you Forever' To Take Out The Creepy Parts'

This particular story: ‘Love you Forever’, as a whole is a cute story about a parent’s love for their child. However, you take the context, the times and what I’ve experienced and what others have experienced and you see that the ending is basically a child complying with a parent’s wish to have control or be overbearing and spying on their child which has multiple psychological effects on both parties. As one that had no privacy growing up until I was the age of 25 (other than when I was away in college), I understand the need to also set boundaries with loved ones both in home and outside of home. I also know even while dating, I became complacent in allowing my boyfriend to just drop by whenever it suited him and that’s not love and that’s not caring that is abuse with minimal me time. I was so used to not being alone because of lack of privacy that I just allowed it. 

 

I’ve grown now and actually found that being alone truly allows someone to grow up. You learn to appreciate yourself and then others. In modern day if a parent came to their child’s home and climbed up a ladder to watch them sleep, someone would most certainly be calling the cops or the white jackets seeing an intruder. I’d be doing so. No, the story does not indicate that in the original, the shock or horror of your parent looking through your window but that just means they have normalized it. They don’t think anything of it. As an adult the new version, allows it to be set up for shock and boundaries being set. The bars not only represent the limit being set but the adult child’s protection from an overbearing parent where a call or text would have normally sufficed if they wanted to check in and say I love you. Knowing things from also the perspective of a child with a mentally ill parent, this is critical to have those boundaries and understanding.

I’m not saying that we should do this to all children’s stories but if we were to look back on them, we ,as adults, should be critical in what this means for the treatment, behavioural and psychological outcomes of our children as they grow up into adults. Even mainstream media is important to look at for instance such titles as Peppa Pig or even Cailou, perpetuate bad behavior and disrespect and temper tantrums. Is this something I would allow in my home? Absolutely not! There are age ranges and there are times that it is important to speak about these types of things to your child specific. You should know your child best. It’s not up to educators and the media to control what your child watches and reads and reading starts when they are little as you’re reading to them!

I’m not saying ban these books, the originals are still there for you to enjoy and they aren’t going away. I’m not saying “twist” and change them all and I certainly don’t analyze them all because 1. I don’t have time to do that all day, every day, and it’s not a hobby as I have better things to do with my time. 2. I don’t have children in my household however I do have a nephew and niece that if they were in my home I would be specific about what content I provide but since they don’t live with me , that’s up to their parents. 3. I do analyze some things because at one point I was considering taking on the parental role of my nieces and nephew, so yes, I have to be prepared and think about these things. Again it’s MY CHOICE! 

I merely feel that we have to take a look at all perspectives and think of what’s best for our children in the future and if you don’t agree with me, that’s fine. Your way is your way. My way is my way. Who are we to judge another person's parenting skills, especially those of us that don’t have children ourselves?  

I think this article is a good discussion topic and I would like to hear from a variety of parents on this matter in a professional and calm manner. There is  no need to get all upset and assume that someone is being an “overly sensitive type” when they are merely using their critical thinking skills to judge for themselves what it means for them and their family.