Complaints about disabled British childrens' TV host

[Caveat Emptor]

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe...ost/index.html

"In one chat room, a father lamented that Burnell being on the show forced him to have conversations with his child about disabilities."

<sarcasm> Oh that's just TERRIBLE. God forbid that you should actually have to RAISE your kid properly and include **shudder** actually LIFE lessons!! </sarcasm>

[tropicsgoddess]

I don't see anything wrong with that (the host having a disability), kids should know about that sort of thing.

[Bright_Star]

That's about the dumbest thing I've heard all week. Here she is, doing a good job, BUT do you think they focus on that? NO...they focus on her arm which has nothing to do with anything!
So it might scare the children? Right...there's more scarey stuff on the nightly news.

[draggar]

Heaven forbid kids see something on a kids show that not only reflects real life but:
1) If they aren't handicapped it shows them something that they should be glad they don't have to live with
2) If they are handicapped that it shows tham that not only are they not alone but can also live full (and successful) lives.

[XCashier]

Many of the article's comments are in favor of the hostess. Here's a good one from Shawn Mickschl:

A "father lamented that Burnell being on the show forced him to have conversations with his child about disabilities"? This is a lament? Is this not the job, is this not the requirement, of being a parent? We should be striving, vehemently, to raise children that can see what people who are different than us have to offer. It pains me deep into my heart that this is seen as a negative burden on a parent.

Truthfully, it's a good way to get kids to understand that the differently abled are just people, same as they are. I applaud the parents who raise their kids to believe this way, and not mistreat or condescend the handicapped, or anybody else different than they.

[Nyoibo]

But...but...TV is supposed to raise our kids for us, not make them ask us questions and get involved in parenting, what do they think we are, teachers or something?