Power Rangers: Who is right?

Question

My stepson was having issues with being aggressive in school when he was 3, he’s now 7. My husband banned Power Rangers because his ex wife let him watch it all the time. I thought this was dumb because it’s just a show and my stepson was VERY emotionally disturbed, likely due to divorce, lack of parenting, discipline on mothers end, etc. JUST Power Rangers isn’t the cause of a whole IEP 🙄 But I was like ok whatever. Fast forward to now, we have another 4.5 year old. My husband said Power Rangers is banned. This morning my 4.5 year old said “Oh Power Rangers is on” which was 100% attention seeking because he knows he can’t watch it, then my husband went in and turned it off. I tried to push for a discussion about this because I’m like this is ridiculous? It would make sense if it was ALL “violent” shows but it’s not! I’m like okay so you’ll let him watch Ninjago, Transformers, etc...but not Power Rangers? He said he “just doesn’t like it” and when I brought up how it’s singled out he said “Well those other ones have story lines, Power Rangers is just nonsensical violence.” And I was like “So...as long as they have a reason to be violent, it’s cool?” Like ?? I told him that now he’s also made it taboo for our son which only makes him want to watch it more. If we just let it go and didn’t make a big deal about it, our son would probably watch it a few times and then stop and go back to his old shows or whatever. We had a whole fight over it this morning and he’s like “Me not liking it should be reason enough to respect it” and I’m not about being a “just because” parent. I think it’s just pride and him wanting to stick to his guns. I understand that Power Rangers isn’t the *best* show for a 4 year old but he doesn’t really watch shows that aren’t age appropriate. He loves Masha and the Bear, Ryan, some Disney shows, etc. But he does occasionally come into contact with Power Ranger things because he’s a boy and there’s toys, friends houses, etc. it’s just a dumb thing to have a hardcore ban on. Thoughts?

Answer

This whole thing is outrageous and dumb. I would not even spend any energy on this at all

Answer

I grew up on power rangers and have never hit anybody.

Answer

Really you start a whole fight with your husband over power rangers? I would understand if it would at least be a show who has some teaching moments or anything at all but this show is really not adding anything to your kids life and I don't see what you are fighting for. I also understand that if he didn't want one of his kids to watch the show he will not let the other one watch it, it's nothing but fair

Answer

I mean I think it's probably not the reason for his behaviour issue and probably doesn't need to be banned. But I also don't understand why you're pushing so hard for them to watch power rangers. Doesn't seem like a big deal to just back your hubs on this one. It's important to him and not a big deal for your kids not to watch.

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We weren’t allowed to watch power rangers as kids or simpsons/South Park which was a popular show in the 1990s too. We didn’t have behavioral issues, our parents just didn’t think they were good examples. You’re right, there’s more to being aggressive and his IEP. But he’s right to not have that show or other shows banned, he can have a say too.

Answer

You are right. Power Rangers alone is not what causes kids to be aggressive. That said your husband is clearly triggered by Power Rangers. Probably some sort of anger or resentment towards his ex, or miss placing blame on her for their son's behavioral issues, ETC. What I would say is that while Power Rangers is not going to turn your child into a violent kid... It also is not going to hurt him to never watch it. There were various shows I wasn't allowed to watch as a little kid that other kids were allowed to watch. It didn't hurt me not to see them or hurt the other kids to see them and vice versa. I feel like this is something you should just give your husband. And you definitely should not let your four-year-old realize that you disagree with Daddy about it. Just let Power Rangers be the show that he can't see. There will probably be other shows later that you both will agree with is not age appropriate at different times. When your child is an adult he will simply be able to laugh about it with his friends how Power Rangers was randomly band but other violent shows weren't. It really doesn't need to be a big deal.  
If your child starts questioning why his friends can watch Power Rangers but he can't, you simply explain to him in a calm tone that different families have different rules, and that you are all doing what you think is best, and there are probably things that he's allowed to do that his little friends aren't. And that's just the way it is. It's sort of a right of childhood to complain to your parents that your friends are allowed to do something that you aren't allowed to do

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My brother had a weird issue with Pokémon. Once he start watching that show he started hitting and kicking. My parents banned that show and he stopped the behaviors. They tried it again as he got a little older and the same thing happened. It was strange as no other shows got him going but there was something about that show that got his imagination and aggression going.

Answer

I haven’t seen power rangers since I was a kid so I can’t really comment on  if it’s appropriate for a 4 year old. But I do remember liking it as a kid and I wasn’t a violent kid. 
A quick google search says it’s recommended for 5 and up. So does your husband want it banned for life? When is your child old enough to watch it? Personally I would let him watch it when he is 5 and if it becomes a problem then ban it.

Answer

Well. You guys are parents and going to have to come to some sort of agreement on this. I personally would just let my husband set the rule on that, but that's just how our relationship works. Maybe he has a personal issue with Power Rangers? I know that show was on when I was little (I'm 32 now) so maybe he has a personal reason for not liking it that he does not want to share. The little boy I watched it with growing up (my moms friends son) used to jump around all over the place reenacting the moves and one time punched me really hard in the stomach. I personally wouldnt allow my son to watch any violent show especially if he had issues with it before, however you are correct that you can't just blame a TV show when so many other issues were happening.

Power Rangers: Who is right?

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