On the surface level, standard childhood television shows are a combination of bright flashing colors, silly characters, and a happy ending. Beneath the surface, however, these same childhood television shows have deeper topics embedded within the story lines, which can affect children beyond their adolescent years. More specifically, some of these childhood television shows center community helpers like police officers and firefighters. PAW Patrol, Peppa Pig, and other shows center skewed views of police officers which ultimately impacts children’s outlook on police work later in life.
These childhood shows portray police officers very differently than how they actually are. Although, yes, these childhood shows have to simplify topics so children can actually understand them, that does not mean that the shows should take away the nuance behind law enforcement. Portraying police officers as people who immediately resolve community problems or help someone that is in trouble is not an effective way to present police officers to young minds. For example, in PAW Patrol, the police officers encourage the other characters in the show, and by proxy, the viewers, to always follow the rules, and as a result, all will be well. The rules in these childhood shows are made for children, and often cover simple scenarios. In those scenarios, it only makes sense to tell the characters to follow the rules. However, in the real world, not every rule that is enforced by the police is fair or just, and actions taken by officers to enforce rules may end with more harm than good. This highlights the disconnect between TV and real life. As a result, kids are left feeling like police officers always have the public's best interest, and that they are enforcing rules that are fair.
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In reality, identity-based bias places a huge rule in police officers’ ability to take appropriate action and get involved in community problems. Most importantly, that is under the assumption that their action is morally sound or just. Taking away this nuance from children's television shows gives the impression that the police will always be there for them, when in reality, that is not always the case, especially for children from minority backgrounds or those who struggle with mental health later in life. It also gives the impression that the laws that the police enforce are just. Both the laws, and some of the officers themselves are deeply flawed. Yes, it is true that some police officers have better intentions than others, or that they have a better understanding of the flaws of the police force. However, there are many laws enforced by police that are racially charged or target low-income individuals. Because of this difference, it is still important to teach children that there are bad police officers, like any job, and there are problematic laws, like any system.
Moreover, police are not always there for someone if they are a woman, a person of color, a gay person, etc. Kids who are more privileged should understand this concept: that not every police officer or community helper has everyone's best interests in mind. Creating an idealized perception of police officers leaves a lasting impact on children beyond their childhood years. They often internalize those idealized ideas and look at real police officers that way. This can be especially problematic if the child does not experience identity based issues from the police. It can leave them ignorant to some degree, with no proper education on why certain police actions are problematic.
Children's brains are like sponges, they absorb everything around them. With the addition of privilege, it is evident that teaching children from a young age about identity based issues in the police system is important. Especially considering that unlearning that sort of idealized version of policing is harder than teaching these children from the getgo that there are flaws in that system. It is not guaranteed that every child internalizes this idealized image of a cop, if their parents supplement information. If their parents talk to them about why these shows portray matters incorrectly, or that the real world is different, then their kids are less likely to perceive police officers in such a positive light.
The larger implications of what seems like a niche problem are far greater than you would think. Having a warped perception of the police system does not just have an internal affect, it also impacts them externally. This perception can impact how one engages with police officers in their lifetime. They may prefer politicians who do not criticize the police force, or even support some of the problems associated with the force. This is obviously problematic, and addressing how these adults learned this police propaganda is critical to addressing the systemic issues that the police force undergoes. Changing the media, like PAW Patrol, to teach children the realities of the police system (in a reasonable way of course) can mitigate possible issues in the future.