Raising Children--Retro in a Modern World

[Marc Chevalier]

So I intend to have lots of the adventurous boy or courageous mannered girl stories around for reading to the little one from day one ... there is a literal treasure trove of childrens and young adult literature out there that reflect the American values of courage, decency, respect, and sacrifice that were prevalent before and during the Golden Era.

The problem is that these (pre-1960s) children's books are tainted by the bad side of the Golden Era, as much as they're blessed by the good. For instance: with the exception of "Little Black Sambo", they show a world that is only white. That "world" doesn't exist anymore. (Actually, it didn't really exist back then.)

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[jamespowers]

The problem is that these (pre-1960s) children's books are tainted by the bad side of the Golden Era, as much as they're blessed by the good. For instance: with the exception of "Little Black Sambo", they show a world that is only white. That "world" doesn't exist anymore. (Actually, it didn't really exist back then.)

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How is the Ugly Duckling, Henny Penney, Hansel and Grethel, Snow White and a ton of other stories from the Golden Era Tainted? Please explain how they denigrated anyone who wasn't white.

Regards,

J

 

[PrettySquareGal]

Are there really parents out there that are teaching their children NOT to have morals, good character etc?

Yes. It's why there is a thing called child protective services.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

How is the Ugly Duckling, Henny Penney, Hansel and Grethel, Snow White and a ton of other stories from the Golden Era tainted?

You're moving toward an excellent point: parents must be selective about the children's books that they buy ... including vintage children's books. The Ugly Duckling works; Dick and Jane is out of whack. Just because a children's book was read in the Golden Era doesn't mean that it's good for your kids -- even if the book was VERY popular back then.

Oh, and there is at least one old children's book that you reject: Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (and its sequel).

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[Viola]

How is the Ugly Duckling, Henny Penney, Hansel and Grethel, Snow White and a ton of other stories from the Golden Era Tainted? Please explain how they denigrated anyone who wasn't white.

Regards,

J

Snow White? With the perfect girl having skin as white as snow is your leading example? lol You may have been better off using Cinderella.

There's a lot of blatant in-your-face racism in The Bobbsey Twins, some in Narnia, Lousia May Alcott, and probably the most hideous examples ever were in Grimm's Fairy Tales. (Might have been the Blue Fairy Book)

 

[Hannigan Reilly]

some in Narnia

I firmly disagree. I haven't read the others in ages so I can't say for sure. Narnia I read about once a year. If I thought any of the books actually taught my child to actively discriminate, I would not have the book. A book isn't racist simply because only one ethnic group is portrayed in it.

 

[Marc Chevalier]

I firmly disagree [about the accusation against Narnia].

So do I.

A book isn't racist simply because only one ethnic group is portrayed in it.

Agreed. My point was that a children's book isn't appropriate simply because it was written before the 1960s. I wasn't clear if you felt this way or not.

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[Nathan Flowers]

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This thread has gone on long enough. We've pruned many of the posts, and what is left will suffice for now.