You are here

SouthPark last night was very true to life, and very sobering

paul_in_utah's picture

Submitted by paul_in_utah on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 10:51am

Forums: 
General Discussion

I did not see the entire episode, but the main thrust was that Cartman's single mother had recruited a "dog whisperer" to help her to gain control of her son. I gues a "child whisperer" was not available, but the idea was the same. The dog whisperer pointed out all of Cartman's rude, disrespectful behavior, and showed the mother how to correct it (ignoring demands, insisting on Cartman being polite, ignoring his threats to leave, etc.). He pointed out that the main problem was that Cartman's mother treated Cartman like a friend, rather than her son. He tought the mother how to be the "alpha" of the household, rather than letting her kid call all of the shots. When the dog whisperer departed at the end of the episode, he told the mother "You have lost a friend, but gained a son. When he gets older, you can be friends." Of course, Cartman's mom reverted back to her old ways.

I was utterly floored after watching this episode. I felt that it could have been based on the relationship between my DW and SD17. DW is a "friend" parent, who does not believe much in discipline or boundaries. She routinely lets SD17 boss her around, and trample all over her, just like Cartman does with his mom. However, doesn't see anything wrong with this, and has never asked for any help. She does not seem to care or understand that she is only hurting SD17 by giving into SD's demands. SD will never learn how to do anything for herself, and is used to having a "slave" to do her will. She has no concept of what normal relationships entail.

Why do guilty parents do this crap? They should not be "friends" with their minor children. Like the dog whisperer said, there is plenty of time for that when the kids grow up. KIDS ARE NOT ADULTS, AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT BE TREATED LIKE ADULTS!!!!!! This crap drives me nuts!

Auteur's picture

Submitted by Auteur on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:06am

I saw this episode a while back and commented about it on here. Yes, it accurately describes the standard "Best Friends Forever Single BM"

I was a single mom but I parented traditionally all the way. At no time did my children EVER have "adult spousal status."

GG (guilty biodad I live with) watched this episode and agreed with it yet saw ZERO correlation with his own misbehaved and non-parented spawn. The Behemoth (BM) totally does the "Best Friends Forever Single BM" routine and the "MOTY" routine even though she's remarried. All three children have "Cartman-like" adult spousal status. I don't know HOW the Snuffleupagus (her new husband) can take it!!

BSgoinon's picture

Submitted by BSgoinon on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:16am

I think I am just shocked that South Park had a "moral to the story". I have never watched it, but I didn't realize there was an actual point. LOL. Wink

It actually drives me INSANE that BM treats SS like a "friend" instead of her child. I would think she would learn since he tells her all of the time "you are a mean mom" when he actually DOESN'T get his way (i.e. when she doesn't buy him what he wants because she has NO MONEY...EVER). He has never said that to DH or I. He wouldn't dream of disrespecting us like that.

Auteur's picture

Submitted by Auteur on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 11:21am

Southpark is quite insightful actually. It makes comment on our modern inane society. Addressing quite aptly such issues as the economy, child rearing, modern addiction to electronics, etc.

mama_althea's picture

Submitted by mama_althea on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:15pm

"Southpark is quite insightful actually. It makes comment on our modern inane society. Addressing quite aptly such issues as the economy, child rearing, modern addiction to electronics, etc."

That, plus fart jokes!

(just kidding...it does make social commentary)

alwaysanxious's picture

Submitted by alwaysanxious on Thu, 10/06/2011 - 12:47pm

Yes they are. Even if typically crass, there is always something to be learned. Crazy.

Kes's picture

Submitted by Kes on Fri, 10/07/2011 - 6:43am

You're leaning on an open door, here, Paul. Most of us couldn't agree more. Our BM behaves like the Duchess of York (a sickeningly dysfunctional member of British Royal Family) and goes dancing and to concerts with her daughters. Cannot maintain discipline but has slanging matches with her daughters and they treat her like shit. Thinks they are "best friends forever", whereas the truth is they will both probably leave home the minute they are old enough - would come and live with us were we to agree to have them.
Talking of TV, and movies, has anyone seen the movie "Cyrus" with Marisa Tomei about a single mum and her dysfunctional infantilised son? She gets into her first relationship for 20 years and he sabotages it.