pedophilia in cartoons

As much as I love watching cartoons, I have to admit that the story lines behind the Family Guy cartoon series on Fox is a bit troubling to me. I never realized how much sexual inuendo was involved in the story lines in that show until tonight's episode. During the show however, there was a segment on an older man in the neighborhood who is a ********* and he tries to seduce the neighbor kids, including the paper boy. The comments he made, the jokes making light of his actions throughout the sketch seem a bit out of character with society's view of pedophiles.. Frankly I was a bit shocked that it has not caused any uproar over this portion of the show.

Am I just misinterpreting an irreverant view of life in the neighborhood on the Family Guy show? Am I reading into this the wrong way?

Did anyone else watch this show or am I the only strange one here that watches all the Fox Cartoons?

i didn't see tonight's family guy but when i used to watch the show, it was always full of things, both sexual and otherwise, that are aimed at making people squirm with discomfort. imo that edginess is part of what makes it what it is.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by basschick

i didn't see tonight's family guy but when i used to watch the show, it was always full of things, both sexual and otherwise, that are aimed at making people squirm with discomfort. imo that edginess is part of what makes it what it is.

---

Yeah, we're in that era where the people who produce most of our media-driven pop-culture are of the mind that too far isn't far enough. Could be that I'm just getting older, but a lot of the stuff appearing in cartoons is way over the top. It's like they're trying to convince us that because what we're seeing is being done in animation and without flesh-and-blood people, the atrocities they're presenting aren't to be taken as seriously.

It's interesting to note that when it comes to porn oriented cartoon sites, everyone gets real freaky even if the cartoons look young... however, on Fox they can show characters trying to seduce kids and it's okay, and laughable.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tombarr

It's interesting to note that when it comes to porn oriented cartoon sites, everyone gets real freaky even if the cartoons look young... however, on Fox they can show characters trying to seduce kids and it's okay, and laughable.

---

Here comes that slippery slope :pimp:

Then enters fiction regarding this topic.. and then you have the other thread here regarding a kids book being banned for using the word scrotum.

People vying for control and influence over the masses :heart:

Hell I banned South Park from our Home, when one of those toons started talking about dildos.

I think I'll go watch some Bugs Bunny..

underground cartoons and comics have had shock stuff for years. there's enough edgy references in the family guy that children shouldn't really be watching it, although not many parents do their job. when we went to see south park - bigger longer uncut - there were 7 or 8 little kids in the audience.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by basschick

underground cartoons and comics have had shock stuff for years. there's enough edgy references in the family guy that children shouldn't really be watching it, although not many parents do their job. when we went to see south park - bigger longer uncut - there were 7 or 8 little kids in the audience.

---

I've struggled with this.

I have a great relationship with my son and I have to say, the Simpsons is what inspired Southpark, Family Guy and the other spinoffs.

IMO innocence and virtue in our children are not stiffled by dealing with reality, even if in cartoons, but only in denying reality, in whatever form.

That being said, a childs mind develops at a given pace and some things they will just not understand until they can comprehend, and put all the pieces together.

When watching the simpsons, or family guy, I find myself continually explaining things. That's what these shows do, make you communicate by giving you a platform on the infinate number of topics they address. In a way that is new to us, these show facilitate dialogue with our kids about tough yet timely topics.

Let's not forget... Bugs Bunny and countless other WB cartoons used to be very racist, violent, and disrepectful to authority, minorities, gays, the overweight, etc. (speedy gonzales, porky pig, toons in blackface *Sambo*, Tokio Joe, etc) Take a second and think about it. Same thing different generation but PC with a twist of moral ambiguity.

Think about it... any family watching the Simpsons, Family Guy, Southpark, etc. will discuss what they see, and give their opinion, thus imprinting their thought process on their children, good or bad. The Lefties will sit in judgement and give justifications to their kids where righties will explain things logically and give their children the tools to make up their own mind.

Your thoughts?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by basschick

south park - bigger longer uncut

---

I was in my late teens when i saw that movie, and it made me want to hurl. :hmm:

most families don't really discuss what their kids watch on tv. there's a recent unicef study that shows u.s. families don't talk to or interact with their kids much at all. that's sure what i'm seeing with all the families i know - parents mostly don't seem very interested and they didn't 20 years ago, either.

i was the only parent of all the parents at my son's jr. high school pta who was willing to check out video games instead of considering them a waste of time. yet for most of the boys had a nintendo and it was something they really loved - imo their parents should have shared it with them based on that. instead most bought their kids systems and then denigrated the games and playing of the games constantly. they also paid no attention to the content of the games because they felt they were all the same so they were unable to guide their kids in this area.

besides, i'd have to say the simpsons is a lot mellower than the family guy. sure, there's adult stuff in it and i don't think it's appropriate for little kids but then it's not really a show for children. the problem is a lot of adults who just can't be bothered to consider this issue simply feel that cartoons are for kids and let them watch anything animated. hopefully they don't catch fritz the cat on cable :-/

i would say that part of innocence is trusting. a small child who sees humor that shows him or her that adults are dangerous and not to be trusted has lost a piece of innocence. a kid who watches and partly understands a show with good natured pedophilia may have their innocence distorted since it's all made to look so harmless.

How I see it…

A man walks into a talent agent's office, and says, "We're a family act, and we'd like you to represent us.”

*WARNING – Extreme content in video, may upset some people*
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfRJSmrQSDk

When a comic does Blue jokes, it is in fact, a “Blue Joke”

A cartoon is nothing shy of a comic or room full of comics tossing jokes around the room until they have a script. In this instance, Family Guy, a Blue Comedy Cartoon.

Pedophilia is not funny in reality. Nor is 911, rape or killing someone. However in Blue Comedy, everything is fair game. EVERYTHING!

The major difference is the Cartoon is not selling “SEX” or “Titillation” – It’s selling Blue Comedy. A Fryers Roast is a great example of going Blue.

It’s not totally accepted in Society but it is protected under the first amendment.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tombarr

It's interesting to note that when it comes to porn oriented cartoon sites, everyone gets real freaky even if the cartoons look young... however, on Fox they can show characters trying to seduce kids and it's okay, and laughable.

---

The point being, On a PORN site, you are selling sex as titillation and sex as the driver or Core element to all content on your site or reason to be on your site.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by IdolKnights

The point being, On a PORN site, you are selling sex as titillation and sex as the driver or Core element to all content on your site or reason to be on your site.

---

Right, and as the courts have always shown, porn is not an expression nor subject to protection under the constitution...

So if comics can do blue jokes, and it's protected speech, why is it that our federal laws allow prosecution of someone who writes text only stories about the same subject matter protected? It's all forms of speech. Or is the constitution specific on protecting only certain types of speech?

I think you are stuck on the rights for titillation through story and art where the "story" is told as a means to excite the reader sexually and as part of a larger collection of erotic reading.

When I was a kid, I had the collection of books "Truly tasteless jokes" - 90% of the jokes would have you behind bars if acted out. But it's a collection of "jokes" and compiles in a larger collection of "Jokes"

It's the intention behind the works, not so much the works them self.

First of all, South Park and Family Guy are not cartoons for children. These are 'animated series' and they are rated TV14. Anyone allowing children to watch these shows without supervision is not doing their job as a parent.

Second... nothing obscene is actually shown. Yes, Family Guy and Southpark ocassionally have ********* characters. But so do other TV shows and movies. Unfortunately, pedophiles are part of our culture. If we can't show the dark parts of our culture and make fun of them on a comedy show... that's the true 'slippery slope'.

I remember that episode from Family Guy and I have to admit I was a little uncomfortable with it. Actually there were a number of episodes that I thought was crossing the line. Hehe well "my line" anyway. Overall I thought the Family Guy series was a decent enough adult cartoon.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Squirt

When watching the simpsons, or family guy, I find myself continually explaining things.

---

As fast as the jokes race by on those shows, I'm surprised you get the chance to explain much.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by basschick

ualthough not many parents do their job.

---

that's it right there. I honestly don't trust most parents to do their job. And I'm all for pulling shows that we know crosses the line. If that means i have to miss out on that brilliantly funny **** episode of Family Guy or the worderful rape and racist jokes in animated movies, I can stand the loss.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SPACE GLIDER

I honestly don't trust most parents to do their job. And I'm all for pulling shows that we know crosses the line.

---

Who decides what "crossing the line" is?

This is similar to the bareback controversy and producers not trusting the viewer to do the "responsible" thing.

So by limiting the freedom of expression that these "shows" express, what are you accomplishing?

No matter WHAT you do , there will ALWAYS be stupid people who do self destructive things, or regular people who have a momentary lapse of judgement, it's a fact of life.

In the end, what will "pulling the shows" that you feel "cross the line" accomplish? Who benifits from you censoring input to the masses? :cop:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Squirt

by limiting the freedom of expression that these "shows" express, what are you accomplishing?

---

If their freedom to express puts others (particularly the most vulnerable in our society) at risk, what on earth could be so all-fired important to express? Look at the Family Guy episode: what are THEY trying to accomplish ... a few laughs? Not worth it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SPACE GLIDER

If their freedom to express puts others (particularly the most vulnerable in our society) at risk, what on earth could be so all-fired important to express?

---

I don't think the episode put anyone at risk, other then ****'s at risk of being found out.

Knowledge is power. When kids, and parents, know the warning signs pedos put out, they are better able to protect themselves.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SPACE GLIDER

Look at the Family Guy episode: what are THEY trying to accomplish ... a few laughs? Not worth it.

---

TV shows are created to engage viewers to watch. The more viewers watch, the more money the network can charge for advertising spots on the show. Shows like family guy, the simpsons, etc. are a double edged sword... one networks are willing to wield to make a few bucks. The sole accomplishment is to make money, in their eyes.

is that even legal?:jerkoff: