Hmmm. Tangentially, I think part of it is a focus-shift over the last few decades from stories that were aspirational to stories that are representational. Growing up, I remember my favorite cartoons were about adults - Tarzan, Zorro, Thundarr, the Superfriends, Hulk, even the 80s "Spider-man and his Amazing Friends" cartoon cast them as young adults (college age). Some of my favorite shows were the Wild Wild West, The A-Team, the Man from UNCLE and The Greatest American Hero - adult heroes, spies and superheroes. E.T. wasn't the norm, and even in film kids watched Star Trek, Close Encounters and Superman - LOTS of stories were about "adult concerns" or the idea of "becoming" adults. Even the Scooby Gang was post-high school, and family films like The Last Starfighter (and Luke in Star Wars) were about young men becoming adults.
This focus made young me (and others) meditate and dream and think about what it would be like to be a man (or woman) someday, versus sitting in my childhood and adolescence. I'm not sure of all the psychological ramifications, but wonder if the predominance of kid shows about kids may or may not be the healthiest diet. Not a completely formed thought, but a musing from the cheap seats:)
This is an excellent thought, James! So true. "...wonder if the predominance of kids shows about kids may not be the healthiest diet" that's interesting to ponder. Movie likes Little Monsters or The Goonies were more child-centered. More recently, the Harry Potter books/movies - even though you have admirable adult characters - I think we can say it's a child-centered story. The 'aspirational story' is something I want to think a bit more about. Culturally, we had the term 'emerging adulthood' come to prominence in the 2010s, I believe, so I wonder if the media diet of more child-focused stories could play a small role in something like this. Anyway, I'm musing as well but I appreciate you sharing this.
On another note, how's the "Marvelous" era book coming along? Consider this a small teaser for anyone who reads the comments.
Hmmm. Tangentially, I think part of it is a focus-shift over the last few decades from stories that were aspirational to stories that are representational. Growing up, I remember my favorite cartoons were about adults - Tarzan, Zorro, Thundarr, the Superfriends, Hulk, even the 80s "Spider-man and his Amazing Friends" cartoon cast them as young adults (college age). Some of my favorite shows were the Wild Wild West, The A-Team, the Man from UNCLE and The Greatest American Hero - adult heroes, spies and superheroes. E.T. wasn't the norm, and even in film kids watched Star Trek, Close Encounters and Superman - LOTS of stories were about "adult concerns" or the idea of "becoming" adults. Even the Scooby Gang was post-high school, and family films like The Last Starfighter (and Luke in Star Wars) were about young men becoming adults.
This focus made young me (and others) meditate and dream and think about what it would be like to be a man (or woman) someday, versus sitting in my childhood and adolescence. I'm not sure of all the psychological ramifications, but wonder if the predominance of kid shows about kids may or may not be the healthiest diet. Not a completely formed thought, but a musing from the cheap seats:)
This is an excellent thought, James! So true. "...wonder if the predominance of kids shows about kids may not be the healthiest diet" that's interesting to ponder. Movie likes Little Monsters or The Goonies were more child-centered. More recently, the Harry Potter books/movies - even though you have admirable adult characters - I think we can say it's a child-centered story. The 'aspirational story' is something I want to think a bit more about. Culturally, we had the term 'emerging adulthood' come to prominence in the 2010s, I believe, so I wonder if the media diet of more child-focused stories could play a small role in something like this. Anyway, I'm musing as well but I appreciate you sharing this.
On another note, how's the "Marvelous" era book coming along? Consider this a small teaser for anyone who reads the comments.
Coming along great! Kindle Preorder available on Amazon now, and the book officially releases on Feb. 11. https://a.co/d/iike5CN