"SESAME STREET" DEVELOPER ON AUSTRALIAN PUBLIC TELEVISION "TWO MUMS" KIDS' EPISODE: From The Age

...In 1968, when I was directing the research and evaluation of a proposed preschool TV show that was to become Sesame Street, we made a major effort to develop a values orientation.

We decided that the values that we presented on mass media for preschoolers should be supported by a strong parental consensus. After all, it is not the job of TV to usurp or to denigrate parental values.

Certainly, the TV channel should respect that there is a range of views out there. It is arrogant of the ABC to be so disingenuous as to feign surprise at the reaction to the two mums on Play School.

Sesame Street decided to show children of different backgrounds playing together. It also decided to show preschoolers that it was OK to make mistakes when you are learning. Think Big Bird.

But these kinds of decisions were based on the views of parents and not just the whim of the writers or producers. ...

Sexual identification is one of the many confusing tasks of childhood. Raising issues on TV for preschool children without thought to the lone viewer's reactions is a disgraceful decision. Not every child watches Play School with a parent to explain the variations dear to the ABC producers.

Play School has made a political as well as a values statement. Whatever we think of that statement, it is proper that it be debated. It is infuriating that there is now the charge that those who oppose the ABC decision on two mums are making it a political football. How do you spell hypocrisy?

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posted by Eve at 8:57 PM | link

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