Nevermind.

[ edited by platinumtlc on 2008-07-22 03:07 ]

platinumtlc | July 22, 03:07 CET

Exactly how old is Ethan? I'm guessing 10? The language and worse use suggest 10. What is "school age"? 6 to 10? The author mentions that Ethan is about the same age as the creeeeeeepy chosen boy in the first season.

I keep seeing this term batted around and I have no idea what age group it refers to, so pardon me being a childless 24 year old.

I think it's interesting what kids know...they're not oblivious and they can pick up on subtleties, even if the first words are "she kicks butt!" I like that Ethan can pick up on the fact that she's a girl superhero and that that isn't just the norm.

Though, I might be nitpicky, but Spiderman (Peter Parker) was technically in his teens when he became Spiderman, so he wasn't that much older than Buffy and the Scoobies.

I thought it was interesting that Chef distinguished Spiderman, Superman, Batman as being "they're all men" and that Ethan was smart to list female superheroes as well is great. There are plenty of great female superheroes, and I don't think comics are always dominated by very strong men and very scantily clad women.

YellowBear | July 22, 03:39 CET

Well, that was interesting to read. I'm glad, though, that in the comment section someone suggested Farscape. (Plus, the kid will love some of the gross out humor. ;) )

NYPinTA | July 22, 03:53 CET

Farscape is fantastic...and a great teaching tool.

YellowBear | July 22, 03:57 CET

I actually used "Buffy" to raise several young feminists - including my youngest son. It worked well on many levels. It honed their comprehension and analytical skills (straight "A's" in their first year of high school for my twins, all through high school and college for my 18-year-old); and made them wickedly imaginative and inventive. (I see my youngest son as a future Mutant Enemy - type writer, and my youngest daughter as Buffy - though she looks more like Dawn.)

When it came to the more adult themes, especially in Season 6, it had other educational value as well - though my kids never wanted me to explain some things...

Nebula1400 | July 22, 17:15 CET

I watched She-Ra when I was little...around 5 or 6 I think. Probably not that feminist in today's standards...but, she was an action figure as opposed to a doll. Which was important for me because almost all the kids my age on my street were boys, and playing with them required having action figures of similar size. She-Ra vs G.I. Joe. heh.

Middle school was X-Men...mainly Storm.

And then there was Beauty and the Beast the TV series. Which, not only made me a lesbian for Linda Hamilton (I kid), but also caused me to read books beyond my level because of all the references to classic literature. Seriously, an 11 year old reading Great Expecations because she heard about it on TV?

I recall reading somewhere that Diana Bennett on the last season of BATB is one of Joss's favorite female characters.

GrrrlRomeo | July 23, 02:31 CET