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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

CBBC Dumping Ground

61 replies

HappyOrchid · 04/02/2013 13:46

AIBU to expect that a TV programme on a Saturday afternoon on a childrens channel shouldn't have an episode without a warning at the beginning debating the rights and wrongs of gay fostering / adoption.

Watching last w/e with DD who is 8 I felt that it was completely the wrong vehicle for this issue. DD is aware that there are same sex couples and that it's fine. The whole episode concerned one of the characters being fostered by a gay couple. One of the other characters objected strongly and was vilified to the point of being bullied by everyone else in the programme. They were not told off for their behaviour, because their view was correct.

When I wasa kid this would have been an adult drama or discussion programme not on the bloody BBC childrens channel at 3pm.

OP posts:
calandarbear · 04/02/2013 13:49

I don't think this is an issue but then my DCs know my Best Friend and partner are trying to adopt and the will hopefully soon have 'cousins' with two daddies.

hiddenhome · 04/02/2013 14:24

It's part of the mass indoctrination don't ya know Wink

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2013 14:27

WARNING Perfectly normal people doing something nice WARNING

Agree the bullying shouldn't have been condoned but really?

JustGiveMeFiveMinutes · 04/02/2013 14:27

I don't understand your objection. Are you saying that gay adoption is ok but that it shouldn't be discussed by children Confused

WorriedMummy73 · 04/02/2013 14:29

My two eldest (11 and 8) watch this together every week. I don't actively watch it (although I have done and know all the characters pretty well) and neither of them seemed to have an issue with what was going on. I think the Jacqueline Wilson shows (starting ten years or so back with The Story of Tracey Beaker) show enormous sensitivity in dealing with emotional issues. My kids have gained a great deal from these shows, especially my eldest as she went to school with someone in foster care and it helped her have an understanding of what her friend might be going through.

hiddenhome · 04/02/2013 14:31

I think she's objecting to the fact that the person who voiced objections was then bullied.

It tells children what they should be thinking and what they will get if they happen to voice their opinions. Big Brother is alive and well Hmm

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2013 14:33

The bullying wasn't actually the subject of the AIBU. I quote, "AIBU to expect that a TV programme on a Saturday afternoon on a childrens channel shouldn't have an episode without a warning at the beginning debating the rights and wrongs of gay fostering / adoption."

hiddenhome · 04/02/2013 14:38

It's just the BBC trying to be 'right on'. I once saw an episode of Sorry I've Lost My Head that made a direct reference to drugs (cocaine).

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2013 14:40

Sorry hidden but it isn't right on. I know three couples who have adopted and one is same sex. Someone else on this thread knows a couple who are. Shock! Horror! Gay people adopt (and the ones I know are great parents).

MrsFionaCharming · 04/02/2013 14:43

I didn't have any problem with that episode. The episode I did have a problem with (and considered writing to the BBC to complain) was the one where Gus got upset by all the noise, and threw a grenade to make it stop. Despite being entirely ridiculous, I felt it re-enforced the view of people with Aspergers/Autism being violent.

JustGiveMeFiveMinutes · 04/02/2013 14:46

hiddenhome Gay people have been discriminated against by lawmakers and the church for centuries. I hardly think an episode of the Dumping Ground showing the case for gay adoption is Big Brother in action Hmm

KenLeeeeeee · 04/02/2013 14:46

How else are we going to normalise same-sex relationships & families? It's not some dirty, taboo subject.

YABU.

aldiwhore · 04/02/2013 14:49

My son is 9, love the Dumping Ground and Tracey fucking Beaker and has never batted an eyelid with issues such as this. Had he seen this episode he would have agreed that it doesn't matter if you're right or wrong, bullying someone should never be tolerated (he's very big on morals, and has been bullied) but he wouldn't have given a fig about whether parents are gay or straight.

The DG and TB are both dramas that explore many issues, it is a given, why should there be a 'warning' about the subject of homosexuality being debated? Unless it was porn, it's not inappropriate for the target audience to start thinking about.

You have a TV guide. Use it. Ban these Dramas from your home by all means, but don't expect the BBC to start apologising for discussing something that is not dirty, inappropriate for children to know about etc.,

Children are quite open. Shame the parents aren't.

Tiggles · 04/02/2013 14:51

I think YANBU.
Simply because I don't think that gay adoption should be an issue. Therefore it should just be adopted into childrens programmes as if it were a normal part of life, that there isn't a debate about whether it is right or wrong - surely that is just bringing children up to believe that there is a problem with it and that they have to decide for themselves if it is right or wrong.
Not sure I'm making myself very clear. But what I'm trying to say is, if it were a heterosexual adoption in the programme it would 'just happen' there wouldn't be a debate, bullying etc because of it. So the same image should be portrayed for homosexual adoption.

andubelievedthat · 04/02/2013 14:51

isnt the poster positing that she should have a choice what her kids watch and content of same? obviously the govt. expects all children to be born and once out of the maternity ward go straight into a job ,bypassing any semblance of upbringing ,childhood,one step at a time on the road to adulthood.MTP>read post again, you have quoted/lifted one part of it.

MrsTerryPratchett · 04/02/2013 14:58

andubelievedthat read all three of my posts, in order. I couldn't have been more clear.

Lilka · 04/02/2013 17:42

YABU

You know, us gay people foster and adopt children. It's just a matter of fact thing. The BBC shouldn't be debating it to children, they should just show the normal reality.

Actually I think the BBC don't tend to go far with the issues or comments of the children. I seem to remember the actual Tracy Beaker book having a few slightly more mature ideas in it. I seem to remember Tracy boasting to Justine that her mum was a movie star and Justine telling her the only films her mum would star in were blue films. Bet that didn't make it into the BBC programme

BrianCoxandTheTempleofDOOM · 04/02/2013 17:53

Agree, it shouldn't be an issue but it is good to let children know that people hold different opinions and beliefs (no matter how wrong we may think some of them are). When they know (what is in my opinion) the correct way to think - that gay adoption shouldn't be an issue, they then need to know that some people don't agree and why.

From an adults perspective then yes, CBBC shouldn't have to make an issue out it as we know both sides of the argument. To help children understand why the opposing argument is not ok, they need to know that it is an 'issue' to some in society.

OP YABU, being gay and showing storylines involving gay characters, should not come with a warning.

As for The Dumping Ground, I bloody hate the show - the few I have paid attention to seem to centre on the children running riot and barely getting any comeuppance, not setting a great example really.

CommunistLegoBloc · 04/02/2013 18:43

YABVVVU.

Having issues like that on a TV show children love and respect normalises them and makes them, rightly, into less of a big deal. If you hoik up your bosom and mutter about it not being appropriate viewing for a child of her age, then you make it into a big deal for her and it becomes an issue.

You wouldn't have cared at all if it had been a straight couple fostering. FWIW, that show covers child abuse and neglectful parenting. Surely an example of a loving couple is something to be celebrated, not the one thing you pick on?

gordyslovesheep · 04/02/2013 18:45

YABU it is a program about kind in care ...and fostering and adoption...so I would expect gay adoption to come up to be honest

not sure what you objection is

Original poster
HappyOrchid · 04/02/2013 19:01

Maybe I should clarify my OP.

DD is perfectly aware that there are same sex couples and that it's not an issue. She would fully expect that they would adopt / foster. In the programme the boy who objected said quite clearly that it was wrong and unnatural and various other things.

What concerned me was how bullied he was and how although he didn't like the same sex couple no-one sat with him or talked with him. He was basically picked on until he gave in.

I know its a TV programme, but if there's going to be such a debate and things questioned then the fact that the couple understood the child they were fostering and his need for routine as one of the couple had similar issues. Not just that he was a bigot because they were gay.

It was just IMO really badly handled and not mid-afternoon scheduling. More brainwashing by the BBC that rather than have a reasoned discussion you bully your way through until the other side relents.

OP posts:
svenmozza · 30/12/2018 17:37

Agree with you completely.

svenmozza · 30/12/2018 17:39

There is no way I let my child watch this rubbish. It's the BBC pushing their agenda.

Whataboutbobbo · 30/12/2018 17:47

Yep. I stay away from these shows too

squaksquak · 30/12/2018 17:52

I see where you’re coming from OP.

The issue these days though is that if you don’t agree with the masses then you’re either a racist, homophobe, transphobe...

I have no issue with gay adoption but if you don’t agree with it then that’s your right to do so - I wouldn’t bully someone over it.