Jimmy Neutron....episode Nickelodeon?

Question

There is an episode of "Jimmy Neutron, Boy Genius" on Nickelodeon where Jimmy is acting strange at a family party and his father makes a comment about "He is not even ours he is adopted."

This INFURIATED me when I saw it and I wrote to everyone and everybody I could think of affiliated with Nickelodeon to explain how this was inappropriate and could be very hurtful to young adoptees watching. No surprise I never got a response.

So my question is......Am I overreacting or should writers and producers be called on this?

The reason I mention this today is because the episode was on again earlier this afternoon.

Answer 1

I don't think you are over reacting. I think they need to stop stuff like that. They would say  that and put race in there, so why should they put adoption. Lots of people were adopted and are doing great.

Answer 2

I believe, it was a bad joke. That some people found funny and others did not.

The truth to all viewer of the show (coughing)...is that they know JIMMY is NOT adopted. They are his real parents.

Of course, this sort of thing could be mimic and a child who is adopted would feel bad about that, so I understand your point.

It is good that you wrote a letter to Nickelodeon. They need the feedback to make better shows and slap the writer's wrist sometimes.

As a personal anecdote: My dad often jokes with me whenever I had good grades in school or did something he was proud of, he would say "That's my boy, at least that's what your mother tells me!"

Mom of course would roll her eyes.

Answer 3

u r not over reacting I seen the mention cartoon and i do find it out of place....  

kids that r adopted and/or have no biological parents would get hurt with such content ............................

if u ever doing a paper i put my signature............  lets do it!!! this is corrupting our children's minds..... and feelings....

Answer 4

That would infuriate me too-  I am adopted and have 2 adopted children, and if my two children had seen that when they were younger, then that could have made a huge influence on them. I am very surprised to hear that you did not get a response- since Nickelodeon is supposedly such a child friendly station.  They consider it a joke- however I can pretty much guess, if one of the writers and/or producers of that show were adopted that would never have been on that show-  I did not see it, but I think I will write too- thanks for bringing this to our attention

I just wrote them online

Answer 5

You are really over reacting.  It is one comment made by a less than credible character.  I think it reflects poorly on the father which is very common for that show.  I doubt that adopted children would be thrown into a tailspin over a comment on Jimmy Neutron, if so they are destined for huge problems in this very difficult and challenging world.

Answer 6

I also find comments like this offensive to adopted children. Perhaps it is a joke and an adult can handle it but for our young children it's hurtful.

Answer 7

I think your reaction is somewhat warranted, however, in the grand scheme of adoption issues it's pretty low on the list.  Why does this TV show upset people, but the other things some of us adoptees say that actually bothers us about being adopted is viewed  as not important and just dismissed as the rantings of a few "angry adoptees".  

God, if you want to help adoptees, how about stop hating on us so much first?

Answer 8

You are Definitely overreacting. It's totally not that big of a deal. People say that all the time; it's just a joke.

Answer 9

Perhaps this is an issue that we can all agree about and really do something to make a difference for families blessed by adoption everywhere.  It is offensive.  Anyone want to take on the role as leader in this fight?  I'm all for doing everything we can do.

ETA:  Maybe a reason that most of the people who are infuriated are Adoptive Parents is because the issues that adult adoptees are facing are more suited towards adults . . . and this is something that our children can see and we are trying to shield them from undue hurt.  (BTW, I never have allowed this show in my house - I had no idea that this had an adoption twist at all.  I just honestly think that the NICK shows have very little value.  Now, I won't at all nor in the future.  This is wrong, just as the way adoption was viewed in Meet the Robinsons, and there is even a moment in Disney's Dinosaur that I find has a negative potential message . . . getting ready to throw the dino out of a tree, rather than take care of it, because he is different.  I am jsut really picky about the TV or movies we have in our home.)  

Hmmm, so let's see, Adoptive Parents are bashed if we try and help our kids avoid hurt.  Hmmmm.  Seems like the Kumbaya break was all for naught.

And, yes I am writing and passing the info on.  Thanks for posting it.

Answer 10

i wish people would get this riled up for open records for adoptees.

*sigh*

Answer 11

I shall wait to see if other adoptees respond - but I find it very interesting that mostly only AP's and PAP's are infuriated with this - and yes - I know one adoptee has spoken out - but she is also an AP - so looks at things perhaps through different lenses in some cases.

I'm not infuriated by it - perhaps - like Sunny - I've heard it all so often - it's like water off a ducks back.

I don't know.

I know that there is some truth to what is being implied - which is the fact that adopted children are (most often) from a completely different gene pool - hence often 'different' from the rest of the family.

That's not a BAD thing - it's just an adoptees reality.

When there is a fuss about it - or it's kept a secret - then it's made to be a BAD thing - in my opinion.

I felt the differences within my a-family - even though I looked a little like my a-bro (we both had blonde hair and blue eyes) - but we were and still are quite different.

Where as I've now reunited with my half bio sister (we have the same mother) and we are so very alike - at times - it scares me!!!

I love them both with all my heart - but it's a fact that we're genetically different.

I don't know whether some adoptive parents want to 'pretend' so much that they 'are' the same blood - that things like this actually offend them - more than it may effect the child.

Do you know what I mean???

I'm not trying to offend - but it's just my reaction to the question - and on reading all the answers - which are mostly by adoptive parents.

I'm not saying your reactions are wrong - or you plans to write - by any means.

You're mother's - or hoping to be - and you are protective - wanting your adoptive child not to feel things - you worry - I know - I'm a mother.

But it's mostly not adoptees that are worried about these comments  - I think.

Sorry - perhaps I'm not making sense - but I just found this all interesting - and it has me thinking.

I think that adoptive parents perceptions of adoption 'story-lines' compared to the adoptees perceptions - are sometimes quite different.

And Gershom makes a VERY valid point - there isn't this much furious writing over adoption records - and I find that sad. Is it because this effects YOU - as a person - your feelings - more than adoption records do??

Again - not laying blame - just finding the reactions interesting.

Answer 12

Thank you.  I plan to write to them.  You are not overreacting.  Thanks for all the addresses and such.

Answer 13

When I was little my dad wouldn't let me watch that show. I think it would upset someone who was adopted.  I think they were just trying to be funny, but there's a difference when it crosses the line to actually hurting someone. I believe the producers should be called in this case.

Answer 14

They are probably too busy with Jamie Lynn Spears...

Kidding..

That is a pretty stupid thing to put in a kids show. That makes me so sad. What if a young adoptee was watching that and it hurt their feelings? I hope they write you back!

Answer 15

No, I don't think you're overreacting at all. And if writers and producers are never called on stuff like that they might never understand why such comments are offensive. I say good job writing them about it, they should be made aware that remarks like that are inappropriate.

Heck, I'M offended by it, and I'm not even a triad member!!!

Answer 16

I think you were right to contact Nickelodeon and i wouldn't rest without a response. I would flood them in any way you could. The problems with cartoon makers is that they know that adults are watching these along with their kids so they add little things that only an adult would see or catch. No matter who is watching it should come down to the entertainment value of the show and kids are the target audience. In no way are you over re-acting if only there were more parents that paid that close attention then maybe we can get this type of thing to stop. I will have to look into this one a little further. It's so hard to know what kids can watch no a days.

Answer 17

I see a letter-writing campaign on the horizon.  Can you post info so that I can write, too?

Answer 18

That is awful. I only let my little niece and nephews watch Dora the Explorer or Sesame street on PBS

Thanks for telling me. I will not let them watch Jimmy Neutron

Answer 19

The show is only mirroring what happens in real life.

I have heard negative things in the media and real life about adoptees, natural mothers, and adoption in general my whole life.

I guess you've just started noticing it.

Answer 20

It's absolutely great that you stood up for something you believe in. A lot of people joke about adoption in that way and hardly understand how it could be hurtful. Both my brother and sister were adopted and their quite young and watch that show. Since Nick is aimed at children, they should really care about who their audience is and what they are hearing.

If I knew people to contact, I would have done the same thing. For the people who think you're over reacting, they obviously just dont understand how hurtful that remark could be and probably have never stood up for something they truly believe in.

Answer 21

I do not think you are over reacting.  Nickelodeon is supposed to be a child-friendly tv channel.  What would happen if an adopted child saw something like that???  You would think that you would have gotten a response from them.

Answer 22

Not at all. The media has a HUGE effect on how we see each other. I was just talking to a friends about "The BEE" movie and how if I knew what it was about I wouldn't have taken my Maya to it when it came out.

If you can share a link I'd be more than happy to write them also.

I was never as sensitive before I adopted, but now I find myself correcting people left and right. It's just what moms do. I think it involuntary

Answer 23

I too get upset about comments like this on TV.  This is one of the main reasons that I will not watch or buy the movie "Meet the Robinsons".  I've heard that it portrays adoption very badly and it's a Disney movie.  When it first came out, and I had heard the rumors about the movie, I sent several letters to Disney telling them how disappointed I was with them.  

In today's day and age, there are many families formed by adoption.  I don't think it's right to "joke" about that stuff any more than it would be appropriate to make a racial joke.  It is uncalled for in today's society.  Our media should be held accountable also.  

Thanks for bringing this to my attention.  I will need to keep an eye out for this episode when my son is watching the show.

Answer 24

I Hate that show and most these days...

My kids can't stand Fosters Imaginary Friends--They Mock each other and tease that they are adopted...and also abuse the word "Foster"

Jimmy sneeks out at night and does what he wants... Is smarter then his parents and the father is a dumb-idiot...Mother a Flake...

And I used to Hate Bart Simpson...at least he is on at night and the Show was not directed to Children in the First Place...

I know Fred Flintstone was a Doo-Doo but at least he had some heart... and came around and showed he was a Man.

I would rather have my kids watch the War on the News or See a gang fight in real life then some of these cartoons today... They send the worng message and Not only about Adoption....

So far Sponge Bob is the Only modern Cartoon I like--and don't have supervise every episode with my children... But, who knows there was one episode where Patrick thought his parents were coming for a visit and he got all worked up....Sponge bob helped him when his parents showed up...But the Twist was Patrick was entertiaing some people who turned out be the wrong ones...And his Actual parents showed up after all the fun....

***Added:  Possum  YES! That is what I wonder too! When I was married to an adopted person (for 14 yrs.) The "Adopted a Road" and "Adopt a Pet" stuff was just starting to be all the rage! As a wife I took instant offence to what I viewed was a degrading use of the word "Adopt" pitched a tissy..... When my Hubby got home I thought for sure he would Agree with me and we would go get on the News to tell the world how stupid it was!

He just wanted to Adopt a Road and a Dog and thought that it was Cool....and suce a great idea.... He thought it added Value to the Term Adoption and that it might actually make people accept it as a more Normal thing........ So, I shut Up and let it go---after all if it didn't bug him why would I care?

Answer 25

The shows a freaking cartoon!  It's entertainment. If you, or your children think you might get offended, there are 500 other channels of c**p to choose from.  Better yet, try reading a  BOOK  together.

Yes, Spongebob has treated adoption with flip remarks as well. Even "The Brady Bunch" had similar treatments of adoption.   .  

I saw the same Jimmy Neutron episode with my eight year old adopted son, and he thought it was funny.  Quit being so politically correct, and realize that the world is an equal opportunity offender.    Flame on if you wish, you won't change the fact  that  life was never meant to be fair.

Answer 26

It certainly was not Politically Correct. As for those children who see that remark, tell them to remember that although the comment was insensitive, that the comments of others should not be used to guide your own feelings of self worth. For guidance on what IS important to your self worth, reflect upon your accomplishments so far, and even more importantly, on those you are planning. Let the feedback of those who have actually met you become a tool to making continued adjustments to your path in life.

Live in peace...