Posted on 12/28/2005 5:55:53 AM PST by rhema
. . .My kids were grade-school fans of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe." In recent years, however, they have come to appreciate its deeper lessons. So they wanted to see the new film version to start the Christmas season. Yet we approached the theater with some trepidation. Would Hollywood turn the noble Pevensie children into self-absorbed brats, as it tends to do when it gets its hands on classic tales?
Fortunately, we weren't disappointed. My children left the theater with a noticeable light in their eyes. In the parking lot, my son paused and said, "That's the kind of movie that kids today should see." Why? They discussed the question with animation all the way home.
As I listened, I recalled a particularly insightful social science study I had read back in 2003. "Hardwired to Connect" was a joint project of the Dartmouth Medical School, YMCA of the USA and the New York-based Institute for American Values. Its participants -- eminent children's medical and mental health professionals -- said they wrote the report for a simple reason: "Our waiting lists are too long."
"Hardwired to Connect" addresses what it calls an epidemic of emotional distress and behavioral problems among U.S. children and adolescents. The litany of afflictions it reviews is familiar: depression, anxiety, conduct disorders, thoughts of suicide.
Why are so many of our kids so troubled? The authors conclude that, in our increasingly fragmented society, we no longer give young people the authoritative guidance they need to grapple with life's central challenge -- learning "how to be a good person and live a good life." The study quotes Harvard psychologist Jerome Kagan: "After hunger, a human's most important need is to know what is virtuous." . . .
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Well a BIG kudo's to your nephew. The creature development was a major part of why this film is so great! My daughter and I were discussing this aspect just this morning, how fabulous the creatures were and how real they looked. I don't suppose there is anything your nephew could send (by email even) to my daughter. She would just love it as she is hooked. She even offered to use her birthday money to buy tickets for the whole family to see it again, lol.
>>>They don't really look like brothers and sisters, but all four of them play their parts very well>>>
You think? I was amazed at how much the three dark haired siblings looked alike. Especially the younger two. Peter looked a little different, but I have a blond child that looks nothing like my other two, so that is normal. Not to mention I am blond with two almost black haired parents.
If you want to read more on this study and/or order a copy, you can find the information at: http://www.cpjustice.org/stories/storyReader$1160 and
http://www.americanvalues.org/html/hardwired.html
Thank you for posting this.
-we no longer give young people the authoritative guidance they need to grapple with life's central challenge -- learning "how to be a good person and live a good life."-
Yup, and it ALL starts with: "Marriage too hard? Get a divorce!" A fine example to set for your own children. Selfish parents!!
My 18 yr old daughter has seen it twice just this week!
The thirst for meaning will never be satisfied by material goods, which are, by their very nature, meaningless. "Lay not up treasures on earth where thieves can break in and steal ..."
My 13 year old is reading the original novel for his 2nd quarter book report in 8th grade...I am so happy. Will take him to the film after he is done reading : ) and before the project is due so he can fully appreciate its benefits.
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