Blog 3/4 Cartoons

 Cartoons are the key component of life. Back in the day they taught moral lessons like telling the truth, being respectful, noticing the value of character – like having proper etiquette and pronunciation of the English language. From old cartoons like The Jetsons on Boomerang to newer shows such as, Regular Show and Gravity Falls there’s a decline of what’s expected in society. It’s as if it’s expected for parents to teach their kids moral lessons before they watch these stereotyped, slang filled cartoons. Yes, it appeals to the kids but it does nothing but worsen our generation.

What makes the Jetson’s so great is the fact it was created BEFORE 2000. It was made before all of the crappy cartoons started coming out. – I can’t deny, I like a couple, but I’m a lot older than its intended audience and I know right from wrong. For instance, the Jetson’s live this family lifestyle. Though it has this stereotypical role of women and girls being these dainty, fashion, boy loving beings while the men and boys focused on intelligence and work, the show is a futuristic type of cartoon. You still see the kids doing chores, doing homework, or respecting their elders. If you watch Regular Show it’s the complete opposite. It’s a show that shows kids that they should enjoy life and not stress too much, but emphasizes that it’s okay to slack off and do nothing! It’s positive and negative. Their boss Benson is always telling them to get things done. He kind of symbolizes an authority’s figure; if Mordecai & Rigby don’t listen to him at first, what makes people think that children will listen to their elders? Eventually they make up for their actions because they depend on their job. In the Jetsons when someone face a problem with a robot for example, they would say something like “Get off you mechanical monster!” But with Mordecai & Rigby, they would prank and make fun of someone they didn’t like. Not all kids are going to act like this but it’s the message they’re sending out; it seems like society would justify it by saying ‘kids will be kids’ as a result.

For some reason kids are expected to be these little bundles of joy; they are supposed to be clean, nice, and kind of proper depending on what their parents or guardians instill in them. If they watch something like Regular Show and aren’t reminded what’s wrong they could think that this was the way to act. The last thing I want to hear would be someone making a “My Mom” joke like Muscle Man (a character who resembles a bully in the cartoon). It’s pointless and pretty stupid. Gravity Falls (Disney) is another show that makes you think about the nature of this generation. In Gravity Falls' episode “Summerween” they hint that being cool means no more trick or treating. Instead it’s preferred to grow up; growing up meaning-go to a party, ditching silly costumes. Dipper, the little boy (main char.)  felt like ditching his sister to hang out with a much older girl. He was gullible, and of course naïve. When I think about kids today, half of them look A LOT older than they’re supposed to be! Those kind of kids act like mini teenagers; it’s gross! I kind of wish that the trick or treat monster, from “Summerween”, would force the kids in this generation to act their age.  In the Jetsons Elroy the youngest child, did what kids usually do! Play with toys, his pet dog and be a studious little boy.

When are kids going to enjoy their childhood? Overall, these cartoons may be funny, but it poisons the youth. Between Regular Show's aged characters with childish mentalities, and Gravity Fall's 'eager to be grown' kids the more I wish older cartoons would come back.