The danger of not dealing in facts - Mr. Rogers is evil

I want you to watch the first segment of this video clip from Fox News.  That way you'll see what was actually said rather than relying on me:



So a couple points:

1.  There is a certain amount of tongue in cheek here but I believe two of the three commentators do basically agree with the essential point
2. One of the commentators does appear to argue with some emotion against the proposition
3. This is, in my opinion, one of the most idiotic conversations I've heard in a very long time.  Especially when you look at the facts.

Fact one: The professor at Louisiana State University did not in fact author a study.  Wouldn't seem likely for him to have done one on the effects of childhood reinforcement on young people SINCE HE'S A PROFESSOR OF FINANCE AT LSU!  (Article from the Wall Street Journal)  This was the result of a thought that dawned on him last spring.

Fact two: Thirty plus years ago when I was in college I remember plenty of people begging for extra credit or a little leniency to bump a C grade to a B or a B to an A.  So this is hardly new and novel behavior.

Fact three: According to "Pittsburgh Magazine" (as quoted in the Wikipedia article on Fred Rogers) at the peak of his popularity "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" was seen in 8% of homes.  EIGHT PER CENT.  The man had an astounding influence given the fact that 92% of households didn't watch.

Fact four: There is a study on the rising levels of narcissism in college students done by San Diego State University.  I can find no indication that Professor Chance from LSU is associated with it in any way except he thinks Mr. Rogers is responsible at least in part.  The study itself apparently says that there has been a 30% increase in the number of students who score above average on a standardized test for narcissism (a self centered point of view).

Mr. Rogers comment that "You're Special" was a couple seconds out of each program.  The rest of the program dealt with topics like getting along with each, taking care of each other, going to school and how things worked.  Somehow all the rest of that gets pushed aside by the simple statement - "You're Special".

Amazing.

So let's take a look at this from the point of view of faith.  Created in the image of God.  Part of the divine creation of which, we are assured, God is mindful.  Important enough, valued enough that God sent his only son to die for us.

Not that you're special or anything.

There is a different between being special (which by the way is defined in part as "important in own way") and being entitled.  Every human being is special, beloved of God.  Every human being should be able to grow up with that feeling of specialness and uniqueness.  What message would be sent in its place?  That you are common, unimportant and defective.  That your primary goal should be making up for your shortcomings.  That at least seems to be the argument of two of the talking heads in the Fox clip. 

None of which is consistent with the Gospel.

Is there work for us to do on ourselves?  Absolutely.  It is to develop our gifts and to become the best expression of all that makes us special.  Because each of us is different (special) each of us will bring something slightly different to the table of life.  In exploring the specialness of ourselves we become more fully human and closer to the ideal that was created within us from our earliest days.

Is there reason to be concerned about our young people?  There always is and always has been.  So that's nothing new.  Am I concerned about the effects of "helicopter parents" and parents too intent on making things easy for their children rather than helping them learn and grow?  I absolutely am.  Our kids need to understand limitations on time and desire.  They need to know no limits on love.  They need to work for things so that they will understand the value of it better.  They need to be given opportunity and held responsible for their commitments.  That's what a parent should do in my opinion.

What our kids don't need is to hear us involved in this kind of badly thought out, poorly informed and borderline slanderous discussion of a man who is no longer around to defend himself.  They don't need to live under the lash that tells them only - "You're not good enough, keep working".

Fox News should be ashamed.

Peace