What generation didn't get shows that demonstrate emotional intelligence? Millennials got Mr. Rogers, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street, and Crocodile Hunter. Before that I guess there was Captain Kangaroo, and, if you were lucky, JP Patches.

[–] CmdrShepard49@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

Before that I guess there was Captain Kangaroo, and, if you were lucky, JP Patches.

And shows like Leave it to Beaver, the Brady Bunch, Lassie, Little House on the Prarie and a plethora of shows pushing some form of morality. Television was much more limited back then since there were only 3 channels so there wasn't much targeting kids specifically but instead pushing 'traditional values' on the whole family.

[–] yakko@feddit.uk 1 points 1 week ago

I didn't mention them deliberately because they weren't usually about emotional skills. But you're right that it was far more sparse in that era, these days we're spoiled for choice.

[–] owenfromcanada@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 week ago (1 children)

It's not that there wasn't anything on those shows, it's that emotional intelligence didn't seem to be explicitly taught. There are things we picked up along the way, and it was demonstrated, but different from shows like Daniel Tiger that teach these things more actively.

I mainly say this based on observing my own childrens' emotional intelligence compared to what I experienced in my own generation at that age. They have language and tools that my generation didn't have, or at least didn't utilize the same way. They still have their issues, this is just one area where the kids seem alright.

[–] yakko@feddit.uk 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

I think we agree there. I would feel better if our efforts had immediately produced a flowering of wisdom and compassion across the globe, but clearly the work is more Sisyphean in nature.