Are Cartoons for Children?
I have been watching the cartoon series called Shin Shan on a local TV channel for the past few months and to say the least I am shocked at the language, the double entendres and sometimes obvious sexual innuendos. Add to that a harassed mother who constantly beats her child.
Hardly appropriate viewing material for impressionable young minds who may watch such shows on TV. In one episode Sin Shan forgets to wear his cap and after some yelling from his mother the only 'cap' he can find is his mother's underwear which he wears on his head. In another one Sin Shan drools over skimpily clad women or pretty nurses - are 5 year olds capable of such behavior? In another episode he shown to climb a female mannequin clad in a bikini because he finds it attractive. In most of the episodes he takes off his pants to show his rear. The only safe place he knows is his crotch and there are several other uncomfortable moments where I internally seethe and switch off the TV and warn my son not to see Sin Shan.
On a broader perspective, a lot of the cartoons and the humor contained in them are aimed at adults rather than children. I am still not convinced about the suitability of Dexter, Johnny Bravo or a few other popular shows.
I question the intellect of the TV channels that air this show and also our well known censor boards who are known to be prudish. Had actual people enacted some of the scenes in Sin Shan, it would be termed as paedophilia and banned straight away or given an "Adults" tag. Then why is it acceptable as a cartoon?
Hardly appropriate viewing material for impressionable young minds who may watch such shows on TV. In one episode Sin Shan forgets to wear his cap and after some yelling from his mother the only 'cap' he can find is his mother's underwear which he wears on his head. In another one Sin Shan drools over skimpily clad women or pretty nurses - are 5 year olds capable of such behavior? In another episode he shown to climb a female mannequin clad in a bikini because he finds it attractive. In most of the episodes he takes off his pants to show his rear. The only safe place he knows is his crotch and there are several other uncomfortable moments where I internally seethe and switch off the TV and warn my son not to see Sin Shan.
On a broader perspective, a lot of the cartoons and the humor contained in them are aimed at adults rather than children. I am still not convinced about the suitability of Dexter, Johnny Bravo or a few other popular shows.
I question the intellect of the TV channels that air this show and also our well known censor boards who are known to be prudish. Had actual people enacted some of the scenes in Sin Shan, it would be termed as paedophilia and banned straight away or given an "Adults" tag. Then why is it acceptable as a cartoon?
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