Recently an article in the Journal of Pediatrics claimed faster paced shows like Spongebob Squarepants affected the attention spans of 4 year old children as compared to more evenly paced cartoons like Caillou. Angeline S. Lillard, a professor of psychology at the University of Virginia and one of the paper’s authors said, “There is so much stuff that’s hard to assimilate, it might be disrupting the child’s thinking process, so they may not be able to grasp the messages that are educational...This suggests the brain is working very hard to register it all and gets exhausted afterward.”
Although the study was not specific to Spongebob and was referring to shows like it, the uproar has taken hold and parents everywhere rushed to turn off the boob tube and censor poor Spongebob. Is this the right action? Well, here is my .02.
Spongebob is a fantastic role model for children and if parents are wiling to take the time can actually teach at least 8 valuable lesson in which children can successfully pattern themselves.
1. Loyalty
2. Selflessness
3. Dedication
4. Hard Work
5. Positive Mental Attitudes
6. Empathy
7. Compassion for others
8. Responsibility
All that from Spongebob? Yes, all that from Spongebob.
Let's iron them out one by one. LOYALTY, EMPATHY, COMPASSION. Spongebob is one of the best examples of loyalty in society today. Let's face it, Patrick is his best friend and we all know Patrick is not the brightest bulb in the box by any means. He is often the product of ridicule and mockery yet Spongebob is ever loyal and takes up for him constantly. Spongebob will often correct those who wish to engage in this form of bullying and teasing and take the time to point out Patrick's good side and well intentions. He has never left his side even in the hard times and even when it meant mockery and uneasiness to himself. Spongebob is a true friend.
SELFLESSNESS. Spongebob is always thinking of other people and goes out of his way to be inclusive even when he is not received well. Spongebob's "friend" and neighbor, Squidward Tentacles is a loner and all around mean-spirited individual who is rarely happy. Squidward lives alone and hates his job at the Krusty Krab restaurant where he works with Spongebob. Squidward rarely has a kind word for Spongebob or Patrick and holds no punches when it comes to letting them know how he feels about them. He spews hate and hurtful words at Spongebob whenever the opportunity presents itself. Yet, through all of this, Spongebob still tries to include Squidward in all of he and Patrick's games. He will knock on his door and invite him to snowball fight or to go on a picnic and always greets him with a smile and a kind word.
DEDICATION & HARD WORK. Spongebob is the epitome of dedication. He absolutely LOVES his job. He lives the Krusty Krab and wears his title of Fry Cook proudly. He is so good at his job as a Fry Cook that he has been given the dubious job of opening up the store during the early morning hours of Bikini Bottom. No one else would take this responsibility from the restaurant's owner, Mr. Krabs because it doesn't come with any extra pay or perks. In fact, there have been several times in which Spongebob received NO PAY for not only his work as a Frry Cook but as one who goes out of his way to promote the Krusty Krab. In spite of it all, Spongebob is dedicated and arrives on time every day. He is timely and keeps a conscious effort to be at work. Spongebob appreciates his job and does his very best daily to show it.
RESPONSIBILITY. Spongebob knows what responsibility is and takes it very seriously. Despite his diligent work ethic, Spongebob is also a home owner. His Pineapple under the sea house is immaculate and spacious. He has lived there for years and obviously is not going through foreclosure like most Americans so he is good with finances and pays his mortgage on time. He is able to do this on the meager salary he earns at the Krust Krab Restaurant and judging from the establishment's owner, Mr. Krabs, he doesn't make much money and only stays there because he loves his work. Spongebob is responsible in more than one way.
The bottom line is Spongebob has many honorable qualities if you really look at them. I realize this is not the topic of the century but I felt as though Spongebob was getting a bum rap and I needed to come to his rescue as he has done so many times for others less deserving. Barnacles!
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