To Sponge Bob or not to Sponge Bob

Alana · #1 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 09:07 AM

I like Sponge Bob the cartoon. I was surprised to find some people don't want it in their homes because it's 'inappropriate'. They do say words like 'moron' and phrases like 'what the halibut!?!' and they had a whole episode where sponge bob and patrick tried out some bad words (which were an assortment of sounds, like dolphin squeaks and horns).

With the idea that an opinion for and against sponge bob are equally valid, what is your opinion?

Gwen · #2 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 09:56 AM

i'm against.... though i'm against a lot of the newer cartoons and even some of the older ones that i watched growing up..... for me it's not always about words but "what is the message".... no i'm not one of those that think everything has to have a moral and be an after school special but everything does send a message. i do admit to being somewhat hypocritical in some of my decisions. lol

i think most of these type of decisions have to do with the individual kids. for example we don't watch tom and jerry in our house. i watched it growing up. my oldest 2 could watch it just fine... number 3 however is the kid of boy that will watch it, laugh and then turn around and smack someone upside the head and think that too was funny.... he can't make that distinction, he can't watch it so no one will. with sponge bob and some other of the "newer" ones my issue is they seem very disrespectful. while my oldest can watch tom and jerry, he is a talker, he will turn around and back talk and think it's funny cause it was on tv. number 3 could care less about the back talk. does that mean i keep all shows that may have some back talking or violence in them out of the house? no... does mean that i will pick and choose so that they are not flooded with it. i know i can't keep them from the world, i think it's important to expose them to some things and prepare them for the world... doesn't mean they have to be emersed in it in my home.

Alana · #3 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 11:06 AM

Funny that you mentioned Tom and Jerry, that's my sons FAVORITE show. I agree with you Gwen that some shows work fine for some kids, and not for others.

As long as no one takes away Pingu, I'll be fine. I crack up so hard at that show.

Generally_Me · #4 (**permalink**) 10-27-2009, 11:52 AM

My daughter and hubby enjoy Spongebob. I find it very annoying. I've heard a lot of "gay" jokes associated with the show, Youtube it sometime and you'll see what I mean. But I think it's harmless on a young crowd, it's when they get older and start looking for meanings that there could feasibly be a problem.

Again, not anti-Spongebob, but I don't care for it and I see where some parents are coming from.

mightynancy · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 12:10 AM

SpongeBob rocks. He reminds me of my favorite littlest brother.

Seriously, my kids went through a SpongeBob phase, but then they were over it. No biggie.

miztrniceguy · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 07:14 AM

my kids love spongebob

xforeverxmetalx · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 01:19 PM

I used to like it as a kid, it was entertaining... my mom decided we weren't allowed to watch it though. not really sure why and I didn't agree with her.

though since then I've started to think that it's pretty immature, don't think it's the best idea to show characters with their pants down or running around naked... at least not for kids that would see it and think it's okay to do themselves.

mightynancy · #8 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 08:48 PM

I dunno, forevermetal...I think sponges and starfish look best without trousers.

xforeverxmetalx · #9 (**permalink**) 11-01-2009, 09:58 PM

true but then they should have created them that way

on the other hand, that would probably require a change of the show's name

talisyn · #10 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:19 AM

Spongebob is awesome lol. But I understand it is one of those things where you love it or hate it..like Teletubbies (I loved that show too). In the end it's what's best for your family. BTW I thought the episode with the bad words was hilarious. It showed my daughter just how silly swearing sounds and helped her with a temptation I didn't even know she was having at the time.