Are Disney Movies Bad for Children?

[Geilinor]

Under the legal penalties section, subliminal messages are strictly illegal in Australia and the UK. I'm not buying the idea that it actually works.

Unfortunately, color pairings are still legal.

Unfortunately? So we should just ban colors? Subliminal messages could be transmitted, oh my!

[Maurepas]

You just need some sort of balance is the issue. It's one thing to protect a kid who's being abused, but take the ADD scam for example, sure quite a few kids actually have ADD and need Ritalin. But that number is so much lower than the sheer amount of kids who were just a little hyper or creative and were still prescribed that drug unnecessarily.

I think the issue is that we don't have an FDA(at least as far as I can tell) type organization to regulate this sort of thing.

I see numerous claims that Ritalin and other ADD drugs are overprescribed, but little to no data on the subject.

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD ... cribed.pdf

It's not hard to find. Ritalin's not even the worst one:
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/par ... n.schools/

Adderall, for example, is Speed.

[Ifreann]

I see numerous claims that Ritalin and other ADD drugs are overprescribed, but little to no data on the subject.

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD ... cribed.pdf

It's not hard to find. Ritalin's not even the worst one:
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/par ... n.schools/

Adderall, for example, is Speed.

Morphine is heroin.

[The Marxist State]

I personally strongly believe that Disney is bad for the entire idea of fairy tales as we once knew them. It used to be that fairy tales could change with their time and culture, but now Disney has taken this kind of permanent possession such that even other versions of fairy tales have their roots in the iconography of the Disney version.

The weight of the princesses is endemic of a larger cultural problem that existed when the movies were made and still exists. It's the same reason that there is blatant racism in Peter Pan, Song of the South, and Aladdin, but it was carefully avoided in the newer Princess and the Frog. In the past, we'd have eliminated these outdated values, repugnant by today's standards, as much as we've eliminated the part in earlier version of Sleeping Beauty where the "princess" was raped in her sleep.

Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid are the worst in my view. De Beaumont's original Beauty and the Beast doesn't really have that Stockholm Syndrome element that makes the Disney version disturbing. There was no "Gaston" and there was no starving "Beauty" or even forcing her to stay there a day later than her initial arrival.

Andersen's The Little Mermaid, meanwhile, was a religious tale with sort of a tragic ending. I'm not a religious person, but I massively prefer it to the generic teen rebellion and romance movie.

[Geilinor]

the part in earlier version of Sleeping Beauty where the "princess" was raped in her sleep.

[The Rich Port]

You just need some sort of balance is the issue. It's one thing to protect a kid who's being abused, but take the ADD scam for example, sure quite a few kids actually have ADD and need Ritalin. But that number is so much lower than the sheer amount of kids who were just a little hyper or creative and were still prescribed that drug unnecessarily.

I think the issue is that we don't have an FDA(at least as far as I can tell) type organization to regulate this sort of thing.

I see numerous claims that Ritalin and other ADD drugs are overprescribed, but little to no data on the subject.

Pseudo-skeptics, "pure-body" holistics advocates and the pharmaceutical companies have really muddied the waters on the reality.

Hell, even I don't really know, and I stick my nose everywhere.

Congress. They're the main legislative body in the country.

If you're not a psychological professional, you most likely don't know what constitutes child abuse, so forgive me for not agreeing with some asshole on the street. Yes, spanking is legitimate, but it takes a lot of self-control to use it effectively. Self-control is a virtue few people have, and one I'm not trusting strangers to have and exercise over my children.

It's also something I expect EVERY parent to be educated on. And if they don't, I don't think they should have children.

Congress? Really? The problem with this theory is that Congress is that asshole on the street.

... Good point.

But, hey, SOMETIMES they consult psych professionals.

Just like the average American!

God, this country's terrible.

[Shaggai]

the part in earlier version of Sleeping Beauty where the "princess" was raped in her sleep.

Remember the kiss? The Brother Grimm's stories were surprisingly dark.

[The Marxist State]

the part in earlier version of Sleeping Beauty where the "princess" was raped in her sleep.

You think I'm kidding. I am not kidding.

. At last he came to the salon, and when the king beheld Talia, who seemed to be enchanted, he believed that she was asleep, and he called her, but she remained unconscious. Crying aloud, he beheld her charms and felt his blood course hotly through his veins. He lifted her in his arms, and carried her to a bed, where he gathered the first fruits of love. Leaving her on the bed, he returned to his own kingdom, where, in the pressing business of his realm, he for a time thought no more about this incident.

Now after nine months Talia delivered two beautiful children, one a boy and the other a girl.

[Maurepas]

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD ... cribed.pdf

It's not hard to find. Ritalin's not even the worst one:
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/par ... n.schools/

Adderall, for example, is Speed.

Morphine is heroin.

Yes it is, but we try to not to use it as much as we used to because of that fact. I'm not saying that these sorts of drugs are inherently bad or anything, just that I don't feel they get as much attention and regulation as painkillers and anesthesia does.

[Geilinor]

Remember the kiss? The Brother Grimm's stories were surprisingly dark.

I'm not a fan of fairy tale princess movies. I never watched them much.

[The Rich Port]

I personally strongly believe that Disney is bad for the entire idea of fairy tales as we once knew them. It used to be that fairy tales could change with their time and culture, but now Disney has taken this kind of permanent possession such that even other versions of fairy tales have their roots in the iconography of the Disney version.

The weight of the princesses is endemic of a larger cultural problem that existed when the movies were made and still exists. It's the same reason that there is blatant racism in Peter Pan, Song of the South, and Aladdin, but it was carefully avoided in the newer Princess and the Frog. In the past, we'd have eliminated these outdated values, repugnant by today's standards, as much as we've eliminated the part in earlier version of Sleeping Beauty where the "princess" was raped in her sleep.

Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid are the worst in my view. De Beaumont's original Beauty and the Beast doesn't really have that Stockholm Syndrome element that makes the Disney version disturbing. There was no "Gaston" and there was no starving "Beauty" or even forcing her to stay there a day later than her initial arrival.

Andersen's The Little Mermaid, meanwhile, was a religious tale with sort of a tragic ending. I'm not a religious person, but I massively prefer it to the generic teen rebellion and romance movie.

I don't think the Disney corporation is evil. They're just greedy and lazy.

In case anyone hasn't noticed, almost every single Disney princess movie is about the same goddamn thing.

And Beauty and the Beast has, therefore, NEVER had any elements of Stockholm Syndrome.

Belle didn't stay because she was abused day and night by the Beast. She stayed there because she actually liked him because he was actually NICE for most of the movie. Hell, SHE FUCKING LEAVES NEAR THE END without him even saying anything except roaring in... Lust? I dunno.

Anyway, no, Beauty and the Beast isn't about Stockholm Syndrome.

[Geilinor]

You think I'm kidding. I am not kidding.

. At last he came to the salon, and when the king beheld Talia, who seemed to be enchanted, he believed that she was asleep, and he called her, but she remained unconscious. Crying aloud, he beheld her charms and felt his blood course hotly through his veins. He lifted her in his arms, and carried her to a bed, where he gathered the first fruits of love. Leaving her on the bed, he returned to his own kingdom, where, in the pressing business of his realm, he for a time thought no more about this incident.

Now after nine months Talia delivered two beautiful children, one a boy and the other a girl.

Now after nine months Talia delivered two beautiful children, one a boy and the other a girl. In them could be seen two rare jewels, and they were attended by two fairies, who came to that palace, and put them at their mother's breasts. Once, however, they sought the nipple, and not finding it, began to suck on Talia's fingers, and they sucked so much that the splinter of flax came out. Talia awoke as if from a long sleep... He was overjoyed, and he told Talia who he was, and how he had seen her, and what had taken place. When she heard this, their friendship was knitted with tighter bonds

She gave birth in her sleep? And they became closer after she found out she had been raped during a 9-month sleep and had unknowingly given birth? This is twisted.

[Tano]

The movies (like the princess ones), eh. I don't think they're that bad.

However, Disney channel is grossly disturbing sometimes, with blatant references to sex, having at least one character with a funny accent/funny traditions, and showing protaganists doing highly illegal actions and getting out of it "because they were sorry".


But hey, I guess that's the norm in today's society.

[The Marxist State]

And Beauty and the Beast has, therefore, NEVER had any elements of Stockholm Syndrome.

The whole "you eat with me or you won't eat at all" thing is a Disney addition.

The racism is sort of undeniable.

[Slovenya]

watching porn in disney movies

[United Kingdom of Muffins]

The movies (like the princess ones), eh. I don't think they're that bad.

However, Disney channel is grossly disturbing sometimes, with blatant references to sex, having at least one character with a funny accent/funny traditions, and showing protaganists doing highly illegal actions and getting out of it "because they were sorry".


But hey, I guess that's the norm in today's society.

o noooooo my feelings!!

[Geilinor]

However, Disney channel is grossly disturbing sometimes, with blatant references to sex, traditions, and showing protaganists doing highly illegal actions and getting out of it "because they were sorry".

I don't recall it being that bad.

[United Kingdom of Muffins]

watching porn in disney movies

(Image)

(Image)

Disney owns actual porn companies why can't you guys just watch that?

[The Rich Port]

And Beauty and the Beast has, therefore, NEVER had any elements of Stockholm Syndrome.

The whole "you eat with me or you won't eat at all" thing is a Disney addition.

The racism is sort of undeniable.

Again, that happened when he was being a dick.

Belle didn't have any of that shit. She locked herself in a room.

Did you actually watch the movie?

[Slovenya]

Disney owns actual porn companies why can't you guys just watch that?

I actually never heard of that, I'm actually not really shocked XD

[Geilinor]

watching porn in disney movies

(Image)

(Image)

Disney owns actual porn companies why can't you guys just watch that?

Wow. http://www.anomalies-unlimited.com/Disney/Interests.html I'm not opposed to adult pornography, but there's child molestation involved here. http://articles.latimes.com/2007/feb/12/business/fi-porn12

[Yumyumsuppertime]

I see numerous claims that Ritalin and other ADD drugs are overprescribed, but little to no data on the subject.

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD ... cribed.pdf

It's not hard to find. Ritalin's not even the worst one:
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/par ... n.schools/

Adderall, for example, is Speed.

The first source is a debate over whether or not Ritalin is overprescribed , hosted on an abandoned site, with the response to the initial argument oddly left out. The second is a report about a legislator who once worked as a nurse stating that it is overprescribed (arguable), and attempting to limit the advertisement of prescription drugs (I agree), with the actual psychiatrist who is interviewed disputing his claims. Neither gives statistics other than "This drug has been prescribed more over the past x number of years", and neither defines what overprescribing is.

[Electroconvulsive Glee]

*snip*
You just need some sort of balance is the issue. It's one thing to protect a kid who's being abused, but take the ADD scam for example, sure quite a few kids actually have ADD and need Ritalin. But that number is so much lower than the sheer amount of kids who were just a little hyper or creative and were still prescribed that drug unnecessarily.

This is utter bullshit routinely passed around based on "truthiness."

Generally, ADHD is often misunderstood and there is little or no evidence it is generally overdiagnosed or overmedicated. To the contrary, the evidence tends to show that misdiagnosis happens, but underdiagnosis is as or more common that overdiagnosis.

Just like most physical illnesses, injuries, or conditions, mental illness or mental conditions do not fall neatly into boxes where every cases is the same and responds to the same treatment. Drawing conclusions about something regarding a large population from anecdotes or personal experience is always dubious, but it is especially so in medicine.

I think no one has disputed that (as every major scientific/medical organization in the world recognizes) ADHD as a real condition that can have serious impacts on an individual.. See also The effect of ADHD on the life of an individual, their family, and community from preschool to adult life; Cognitive functioning in children with and without Attention-deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with and without comorbid learning disabilities; National Alliance on Mental Health: Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

ADHD can severly hamper the lives of adults and children, but it effects people differently. Also, many individuals with ADHD have other mental illness or conditions that impact how ADHD effects an individual and how the individual responds to different treatments. Some effects of ADHD may be considered advantages to some while those same effects disable another. Similarly, the same medication can effect two individuals with ADHD differently. Sometimes medication is the most appropriate treatment (with or without other treatments) and sometimes cognitive behavior therapy or many other options can be more effective or optimum for a particular individual than medication. See, e.g., CDC: ADHD Treament, NIMH: How is ADHD treated?.

The vast majority of ADHD medications (including Ritalin) are stimulants (and many are verities of amphetamine). See What medications are used to treat ADHD? Although the average person without ADHD would be made more hyperactive and less focused (i.e., stimulated), these drugs have a paradoxically calming and “focusing” effect on individuals with ADHD.

Studies (of which there are many) show so far that ADHD is not significantly overdiagnosed (actually is more likely underdiagnosed) and ADHD stimulants are not overprescribed in the U.S. See, e.g., Myths and Misconceptions About ADHD: Science over Cynicism; Evaluating the evidence for and against the overdiagnosis of ADHD, Are stimulants overprescribed? Treatment of ADHD in four U.S. communities.; Efficacy and Safety Limitations of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Pharmacotherapy in Children and Adults.

Not only does treatment of ADHD with stimulants not cause drug dependence, it reduces the risk for subsequent drug and alcohol abuse. See, e.g., Does stimulant therapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder beget later substance abuse? A meta-analytic review of the literature, Does the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder with stimulants contribute to drug use/abuse? A 13-year prospective study, Pharmacotherapy of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder reduces risk for substance use disorder.

and the other myths about it are untrue.

1. Every major scientific/medical organization in the world recognizes ADHD as a real and serious disorder. See also link, pdf.

2. ADHD can severly hamper the lives of adults (such as myself). See, e.g., link.

3. ADHD is not significantly overdiagnosed (actually is more likely underdiagnosed) and ADHD stimulants are not overprescribed. See, e.g., link, link, link; link.

4. Not only does treatment of ADHD with stimulants not cause drug dependence, it reduces the risk for subsequent drug and alcohol abuse. See, e.g., link, link, link.

5. Neither ADHD or diagnoses thereof are caused by "bad parenting" or sugar intake or other "easy" excuses. See, e.g., link, link.

In the interests of controlling my temper and being more civil, I wish to make some points without specifically replying to any poster. I also wish to be clear that, although some points upset me, I understand people are raising issues in good faith and I am not upset at any posters.

1. No one has provided any evidence other than weak anecdotes that psychiatric medications are overprescribed. Despite repeated opinions that ADHD in particular is overdiagnosed and ADHD medications are overprescribed, no one has substantiated these claims or replied to evidence already cited directly disputing such claims.

2. The area of how our brain and thoughts work is increasingly understood by experts studying these topics from various perspectives. (Bottle comes to mind.) Just as we do not have a perfect understanding of the human body and the variety of other illnesses, injuries, and conditions, we do not have a perfect understanding of the part of the body that is the brain and mental illnesses or conditions. But, just as we still use what knowledge we have to help treat other illnesses or conditions, we should treat mental illnesses or conditions.

3. The skepticism about the need to treat conditions like ADHD or against ADHD medications seems mostly to come from the same bases as fears, stigma, and misunderstandings of mental illness and the mentally ill. Personally, I find it more than a bit insulting.

4. Teachers, parents, pharmaceutical companies, schools, and other scapegoats cannot diagnosis ADHD or any mental illness and cannot prescribe any prescription medication. Even psychologists or therapists who are competent to diagnosis conditions cannot prescribe medications. Only doctors can write prescriptions. One can claim a profit motive all you want, but the medical profession does have a code of ethics and is independently regulated. Pharmacists, health insurance companies, and malpractice insurance companies are just a few of many checks on prescriptions -- and many of these checks have profit motives in medications not being prescribed.

5. No, doctors are not perfect. Far from it. Your mechanic, an airline pilot, law enforcement, or thousands of other people whose decisions may either protect or threaten your life are not perfect either. We manage to deal with it. Getting second opinions, being sure one is diagnosed by a psychiatrist specializing in particular illnesses, and self-help are all good ways to get optimum treatment, but that is a far cry from suggestions that "doctors not perfect" = "should not treat ADHD."

6. Blaming schools is silly. Adults have ADHD. Adults in (probably) every type of occupation and adults not working at all have ADHD. Changes in our educational system will not fix the brain functions of some students.

7. Although it is possible for a doctor not to properly apply the diagnostic criteria for ADHD or other mental conditions, the criteria themselves specifically exclude (in numerous ways) normal (or even most abnormal) child behavior. Kids are not generally being diagnoses as having ADHD for being kids.

8. Our regulatory system is far from perfect, but it is simply absurd to suggest that ADHD medications or other medications that have been studied and used for decades upon decades are useless, extremely dangerous, or pose unknown risks.

9. ADHD medications are "speed." As a general rule, they do not tranquilize, numb, etc., a non-ADHD child or make one docile, zombie-like, etc. To the contrary, they generally make non-ADHD individuals hyperactive, excessively stimulated, etc.

10. It is rather odd to consider medications for mental illnesses as changing who the patient is. Medications for mental illnesses effect the brain, but so do a very wide range of other medications. Any medication that makes one drowsy -- like Benadryl -- has an arguable effect on the brain. A fever can make one delirious and many illnesses can make one hallucinate. Are we changing who someone is when we give them antibiotics or otherwise treat a fever or illness? The primary distinction here comes back to the degree of fear and misunderstanding of mental conditions.

This rant has gone on long enough. Goodnight.

I think the issue is that we don't have an FDA(at least as far as I can tell) type organization to regulate this sort of thing.

Um. All prescription medication -- including Ritalin, Adderall, and other ADHD drugs -- are regulated by . . . the FDA.

(Many other government entities have also been involved in studying the diagnosis of ADHD, the treatment of ADHD, the prescription of ADHD medication, and the effects and safety of ADHD medication. So have many professional organizations.0

I see numerous claims that Ritalin and other ADD drugs are overprescribed, but little to no data on the subject.

http://www.americanchiropractic.net/ADD ... cribed.pdf

It's not hard to find. Ritalin's not even the worst one:
http://archives.cnn.com/2001/HEALTH/par ... n.schools/

1. Neither of your sources contains any "data."

2. The first is an opinion piece from 1996 in a non-medical publication by a psychologist who has never published any study on the subject. The arguments made are not only wrong, but very outdated.

3. The second is merely a news article from 2001. It contains several quotations from experts and mentions results of studies denying that Ritalin is overprescribed or is a problem. The only complaints come from a Connecticut legislator with no expertise and no supporting evidence.

Even without the many sources rebutting your claims in the posts I linked, this weak showing proves the point that it is not easy to find data showing that ADHD medications are overprescribed.

Adderall, for example, is Speed.

Essentially, yes. Ritalin is also a stimulant. So? Lots of medications -- including those given to children fit within broad "scary" categories.

As noted in one of the posts linked above, however, that ADHD meds are almost all stimulants puts the lie to most claims about ADHD being overprescribed. Ritalin, Adderall, etc., do not tranquilize, numb, etc., a non-ADHD child or make one docile, zombie-like, etc. To the contrary, they generally make non-ADHD individuals hyperactive, excessively stimulated, etc. (Just as taking an amphetamine would effect most people.)

[Mushet]

Look,

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/170929 ... iere.jhtml

Another Disney Star Miley Cyrus gone to the sex path. This is just sick, Disney may have be over with her, but their influence is still there inside her. They sexualize these girls like dirty perverts. This has to stop!!!!

Oh no a female expressing her sexuality, shield your eyes!

[Ostroeuropa]

Disney movies are not bad for children provided you supply additional entertainment that doesn't JUST feature white good looking women falling in love and feeling like their life has become fulfilled.
There is nothing wrong with that story. It's a fine story.
If it's the only story you know, that's a problem.

In addition, you have stuff like fox and hound, which is completely epic.