3rd graders say they're dating-I think Disney has something to do with it?

Often, elementary schoolers "date" their peers...at least they think that they are.

Parents hear Disney and think of great, G-rated TV, not something to be afraid of.

I think that Disney is a major contributer to elementary school children "dating" each other because on many Disney shows, Lizzie McGuire, Even Stevens, Sister Sister, High School Musical (on and off screen), characters date each other.

What say you?

3rd graders say they're dating-I think Disney has something to do with it?maps myspace.com

Children have said they were dating for years... Children before that said they were engaged or married. It's just a way of role playing as adults and sorting out cultural norms.

It's perfectly normal, though dating is more a part of our culture now than marriage, I fear!!!

Still, don't let your children watch any show you are not comfortable with!

3rd graders say they're dating-I think Disney has something to do with it?myspace graphics myspace.com

Kids hear this everywhere. It's not just Disney movies.

Are you married or have a boyfriend. do you talk grown up in front of your daughter? What type of children attends your daughters school? There are all types of influences in our children's lives. But it's up to us as parents to direct our child in the direction in which is best for them. This means explaining to your 3rd grader your perspective of dating at her/his age.

Good luck
Who let the kids watch disney?

Its always going to come back to the parent.
So true! Apparently a girl at my school passed "love notes" to her "boyfriend" all through first through 4th grade! It's crazy! The worst thing is, it's not even dissney alone. It's also Nickelodeon (Ned's Declassified, Drake and Josh, etc.) and Cartoon Network (Billy and Mandy [The kid with glasses always tries to 'date' Mandy]) It's getting ridiculous!
I don't really think Disney has much to do with it. My niece didn't watch much tv when she was younger, but she said she was going to marry a boy in her kindergarten class. And if they have older siblings who date, the younger children will try to emulate them. They also see relationships and dating from books, parents, etc.

It's usually pretty harmless, though. Plenty of kids have "boyfriends" or "girlfriends" in elementary school, but it really doesn't mean anything more than when a five year old says they're getting married.
first of all, the shows you are talking about are meant for much older children who are in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, so 3rd graders shouldn't be watching them in the first place. people need to realize that a "G" rating covers a huge age range of toddler to pre-teen, so the parents need to watch to these show to see if what age group the perticular show is aiming at.

im tired of everyone being so quick to blame the shows. the parents need to be there and stop using the tvs as an electronic babysitter. the parents need to supervise what the kids watch. if it's not appropriate for the age of the child, then the child shouldn't be watching it.
i think you r right but those characters r all teenagers (on and off screen) i think. So you can tell kids that they r teens. And then from there tell them about what makes teens different from them.
I just want to add that the majority of the shows mentioned, the kids are in middle school or even high school, maybe a grade schooler should not be watching them if they think they have to mimic them.

My daughter watches some of those shows and is in grade school and knows because I have told her, that is not something you do at her age, its not a big deal, its life. You have to be a certain age to do things, it does not mean you can do it because you can watch it, and these shows may show kids "going out" with one another but they are hardly to blame for the way kids behave today.

It is up to the parents not Disney or Nickelodeon to teach your kids right from wrong or the appropriate age to do things like date.
This is nothing new. I remember my first "boyfriend" in the 1st grade. It was totally innocent. My little boy is in kindergarten, and he has a "girlfriend". So they sit on the bus together, big deal. I don't think it's any big deal. They still go through a phase where the opposite sex is gross. Then they start to develop a real interest in their teens. At that point, they truly need to be monitored! But as little kids...it's just a word. Relax!
Disney is NOT a major contributor to elementary dating. It's been going on long before their sitcoms and movie specials have been on. For the most part, it's harmless. Since Disney shows don't discuss sex, I wouldn't worry about it. The worst-case scenario would be a kid picking up the idea of kissing from Disney...and that too has been going on long before Disney shows.
And in every single one of the shows you mentioned, the "kids" are high school age or older. There is nothing wrong with high schoolers dating and it's not like they're hopping into bed on the show.

And it's not just Disney, all "teen" shows are like that. Go watch some of the stuff on Nickelodeon.

If it's a big deal, parents shouldn't let their kids watch those shows.
Im 12 and i said i had a boyfriend when i was in pre k so it not tv ok its our life get over it
well, my nephews are in 3rd grade and one of them dates a 6th grader. the other dates a 3rd grader- thet've been "dating" for about 4 years now. Girl next door. All they do is hug and kiss on the cheek, talk on the phone and are basically friends. They know what sex is, and the have strong values so they dont even think about it.
Its there life...Who cares if there third graders...I mean, hey...They gotta start sometime or anouth...