TELEVISION FOR CHILDREN A Survey Of Cartoon And Puppet Shows

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32360, 28 July 1970, Page 3

TELEVISION FOR CHILDREN A Survey Of Cartoon And Puppet Shows

During the week ending July 12, five classes in a large surburban school were asked to select the best and worst programmes that they viewed daily. Their choices point to cartoons being more favoured by the younger age group, but family comedies and animal adventures were highly rated by all children. . Programmes featuring car-

This is the second of four articles on television programmes for children, written by J. A. DORAN, a lecturer in English at the Christchurch Teachers’ College, primary division.

! but just as many have voted i them as their worst In fact i older children have criticised I the fantastic improbabilities ' portrayed. By nine and 10, i children are looking for i funny cartoons or real life > situations. They have had i enough of the superman type > cartoon. • Sinbad Junior. A superboy ’ aids all in distress. This moralising series is less violent ■ than Mightor and Moby Dick but was rarely mentioned by children as good or bad. Young Samson. A space age superman (with his dog Goliath that changes into a lion) constantly proves that strength and courage outwit evil doers. Space Kiddettes. This is a double bill with Young Samson. A band of space children, chased by Captain Skyhook, turn the tables by being more cunning. These programmes are not as popular as would be imagined. Children find the similar themes confusing. Rocket Robin Hood. Space age super heroes battle against evil in and about Sherwood Asteroid. The language is often too advanced for younger viewers and the violent cunning versus violent bravery theme ensures its unsuitability. Many children judged this as the worst Wednesday programme because it was “not like the real Robin Hood.” Batfink. This embodies all the worst features of previous cartoons. A superbat helps incompetent “cops” to combat the depravities of a mad scientist It is too fastmoving for little children, is full of slang, and uses visual words such as “Pow," “Bani,” and “Karate” to ilustrate all fight scenes. One threat stood out as being particularly objectionable—“ Tell us or we will take you to Police Headquarters and FORCE YOU to tell us where the bomb is.” Mainly for Older Children The following have visual appeal for children but use adult ideas and humour that are over the heads of younger viewers. Abbott and Costello. The language is difficult to follow and is full of American slang or puns. Children could possibly identify with the hapless Costello and enjoy the visual humour. Archie-Sabrina Show. This is a cartoon that uses the best elements of “Bewitched” and “The Patty Duke Show.” The jokes and language with its quick-fire American idiom should appeal to older children. However, six and seven-year-olds found this more popular than “Daktari” for Thursday’s viewing. Good Fun for All Ages The Wacky Races. Dirty Dick Dastardly devises deadly schemes to eliminate other contestants in a never-ending motor race. This is full of American colloquial language, is fast moving, and is very popular with all age groups. Theme: if people don’t play by the rules, they never win—but Dastardly is always close to the finishing line and, with better luck, may some day win. If there is a cumulative eSect from watching cartoons, it seems that our children are being encouraged to believe:

Good people are always white

skinned. Crime fighters can use any means to win. The quick violent solution Is the best means to an end. This is a far cry from the Walt Disney cartoon, and tends to support “Concerned's” opinion. Some of our children’s TV is rubbish. It depends on how you, as a parent, handle it as to whether it should be classified as “rotten junk.”