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Hi all, I know this is kind of a strange topic but I've fumbled with providing my kids with a good answer for about two weeks now with no success. Perhaps you might have some input or guidance for me.
As you know I have three boys (five, seven and nine) and since we live in Northern Europe I've ordered the MLB.tv package so the family can watch baseball on the computer machine. (I don't want the kids growing up with this handball and floorball crap, but would rather have them learn about teamwork from a real man's sport.)
A few weeks ago we were watching a game between Philadelphia and Houston and the kids were highly entertained by the Phillies mascot - the Phillie Phanatic. If you aren't familiar it's a big green bird thing that has been around since the 1970's and who's real purpose is to make the games more family friendly. See below.
The Phillie Phanatic and Dubya
Anywho, the kids were really getting a kick out of the Phanatics antics. So after the game we went searching around the net trying to find some additional videos of the Phanatic. And that is when I came across the video below. (Sadly the boys saw part of it before I could turn it off.)
Basically, what we have here, is a cross-dressing Phanatic carried onto the field by a bunch of half naked men. It then proceeds to harangue and flirt with one of the opposing team's players. Color me stupid, but I don't really consider that to be good wholesome family fun. Even my nine year old had a look of complete bewilderment and confusion on his face after seeing some of this.
How exactly should I explain this to my kids? Is the Phanatic sending a message that being a cross-dressing gay is alright to children out there? Children can be very impressionable at this age, and they obviously see something in the Phanatic that they connect with. My kids obviously understand that it is a man in a costume, but I don't think that is really an excuse for such degenerate behavior on the part of the team. I think I may need to re-evaluate my list of supportable MLB teams and change the Phillies to not worthy for a start.
Thanks for listening to my woes and I look forward to your thoughts and opinions.
Yours in faith,
Two-Dollar Bill
As you know I have three boys (five, seven and nine) and since we live in Northern Europe I've ordered the MLB.tv package so the family can watch baseball on the computer machine. (I don't want the kids growing up with this handball and floorball crap, but would rather have them learn about teamwork from a real man's sport.)
A few weeks ago we were watching a game between Philadelphia and Houston and the kids were highly entertained by the Phillies mascot - the Phillie Phanatic. If you aren't familiar it's a big green bird thing that has been around since the 1970's and who's real purpose is to make the games more family friendly. See below.
The Phillie Phanatic and Dubya
Anywho, the kids were really getting a kick out of the Phanatics antics. So after the game we went searching around the net trying to find some additional videos of the Phanatic. And that is when I came across the video below. (Sadly the boys saw part of it before I could turn it off.)
Basically, what we have here, is a cross-dressing Phanatic carried onto the field by a bunch of half naked men. It then proceeds to harangue and flirt with one of the opposing team's players. Color me stupid, but I don't really consider that to be good wholesome family fun. Even my nine year old had a look of complete bewilderment and confusion on his face after seeing some of this.
How exactly should I explain this to my kids? Is the Phanatic sending a message that being a cross-dressing gay is alright to children out there? Children can be very impressionable at this age, and they obviously see something in the Phanatic that they connect with. My kids obviously understand that it is a man in a costume, but I don't think that is really an excuse for such degenerate behavior on the part of the team. I think I may need to re-evaluate my list of supportable MLB teams and change the Phillies to not worthy for a start.
Thanks for listening to my woes and I look forward to your thoughts and opinions.
Yours in faith,
Two-Dollar Bill
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