By SARAH CALLEJA
I was horrified to read years ago that Noddy and Big Ears were forced to deny ‘improper relationship’ in Toy Town.
Not to be outdone, it appears that Bert and Ernie, the iconic residents (and roommates) of the long-running children’s TV series Sesame Street, have been ‘outed’ over their (assumed) sexual identity by no less than the New Yorker magazine in the wake of the US Supreme Court’s landmark ruling to overturn the Defence of Marriage Act.
On the cover image the couple are sitting on a couch with Bert’s arm wrapped around Ernie and Ernie’s head nestled against Bert’s shoulder. They are watching the Supreme Court decision granting same-sex couples the “equal liberty” guaranteed by the US constitution’s Fifth Amendment.
As the US grapples with serious economic and social challenges, the release of the cover image has provoked fierce debate, about the sexual orientation of this couple and the potential for litigation by Sesame Workshop —which owns the characters — against the magazine.
I loved the denial by Sesame Workshop back in 2007 opening: “[Bert and Ernie] are not gay, they are not straight, they are puppets. They do not exist below the waist.”
The characters Noddy and Big Ears and Bert and Ernie demonstrate friendship and conflict resolution in a manner that children can positively relate to. Is it really important that these characters have a label for their sexual orientation? Is the fact that these characters are friends not enough? Are these characters less educational, less relevant and potentially despicable if they exist below the waist?
What then is the optimum age to start to discuss sexual orientation with our kids?
I had an unexpected answer to this question during a recent visit to Israel; I was privileged to view a kindergarten session in a unique programme designed in collaboration with the national education system and the kindergarten departments in several city municipalities. In The Gay Centre in Tel Aviv, I was drawn to the delightful sound of children’s laughter as their male kindergarten teacher was blowing giant bubbles for the children to play with in the shade of the Meir Gardens next to the centre.
The notion that education begins in the kindergarten years has real currency here as a team of psychologists, education counsellors, teachers and representatives of the education system have been developing a unique program, which would help kindergarten teachers’ deal with children who are raised in LGBT families, and acknowledge their special needs.
With LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender) parenthood on the rise, there is a need to introduce these new and non-traditional families to our community. Any child who is connected to general community media can see or hear discussion about gay marriage. Do we leave them to form their own opinions or do we step up to have conversations with our kids about respect for differences across the board? Do we introduce our kids to the possibility that they can like/dislike or agree/disagree with others while still enjoying mutual respect?
Top Comments
I looked at the Tweens and Sex App. Its awful. No way would i let my 10 year old near it in a hundred years.
Does EVERYTHING today always have to be so Loaded? Surely Bert and Ernie can be best friends? I think it's just as important for my kids to know how to have BFFs.
My kids know there is a big difference between their mum and dad's relationship and Bert and Ernie. As far as they are concerned there is also a big difference between the puppets and their aunt and her girlfriend who they adore.
My kids don't need adults to mess with innocent early childhood things especially when they communicate fundamentally important messages of their own. Children can grow into tolerant, caring adults without shame about their sexuality or hatred for someone else's without having uber well meaning adults fighting adult battles with children's culture.