TELL US: Does 'Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer' Condone Bullying?
Does the lovable children's holiday classic send the wrong message? Tell us your thoughts.
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In October, Patch asked readers how they felt about one parent's view that "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" condoned bullying.
Specifically, blogger DadCamp wrote that the show sends the wrong message to children because of its "continuous teasing and bullying"
It's not the first time a parent has spoken out against a classic children's program with such a claim.
Last December, news spread that author and special ed professor George Giuliani said that "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was also a program laden with the theme of bullying, considering how much Rudolph was an outsider due to his glowing red nose. Giuliani, as such, wrote a book titled "No More Bullies at the North Pole," which re-tells the story of Rudolph.
What do you think? Does "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" send the wrong message and condone bullying? Or is the claim taking an extreme aim at a children's classic? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
Anne Monopoli
7:28 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I think we are over thinking everthing. My kids always loved this story.
Lindsay
10:08 am on Thursday, December 6, 2012
I agree, Anne. What about the ending? I believe that Rudolph was excepted by his "peers". Rudolph, along with the other reindeer and Santa, realized that working together gets the job done. That's the message I focus on in this holiday classic!
Guy Pondside
12:19 pm on Thursday, December 6, 2012
No: I've always seen this story as an empowering one. What I've taken away from the stort if that it doesn't matter what others think of you. You have a unique talent which helps to enrich society, so don't be afraid to be who you are - and let your red nose shine!