The way Children are treated in animation

To be fair both Dexter and Anais have huge relapses into childlike naivete or disobedience that likely leaves some reminder to their parents they aren't quite as mature as they make themselves out to be.

The difference is that Anais usually stays in her childlike space for most periods. Dexter's most famous time he sliped into immaturity is in "Dimwit Dexter", which proves just how far he'll go.

Dexter is consistently immature. Being childishly afraid of clowns (and not even knowing what they were), giving himself superpowers without bothering to check the effects, getting into childlike overheated competitions with Deedee...

Admittedly in both cases their lowest points are usually when their parents aren't even around (Dexter's stupidity mostly revolves around the antics inside his secret lab, while Anais usually gets involved in some stunt with Gumball and Darwin they end up trying to cover up).

There are times Dexter's parents are ridiculously oblivious of course (eg. after seeing Dexter naked and haggard from an accident involving one of his inventions, he is questioned where is glasses are).

edited 5th Jul '13 10:15:02 AM by Psi001

Rule of Funny never let's us down!

you know, I always wonder whether the obliviousness or stupidity (or other behavior) of the parents is only due to how the children see them.

For example, take Codename Kids Next Door. The parents always seem to be either complete jerks or completely oblivious. This also seems to be the kids' general consensus on adults. I wonder if it applies to kids and parents from other cartoons as well.

edited 5th Jul '13 5:17:22 PM by Explosivo25

I dunno about the "complete jerks" part—that only extends to the villains as far as I can tell, and very few of them are seen to be parents. The obliviousness I'll give you, but aside from that, most of the parents in the show seem to be portrayed as exceedingly (if at times overbearingly) nice and caring. I can't think of a single Codename Kids Next Door episode that prominently features the kids' parents that couldn't be considered a very touching moment.

...And while I'm NOT that show's biggest fan, that's one of the many reasons it's actually legitimately good when it knows better, too.

Now, if there is one thing that bugs me royally with his subject matter - it's an obvious derivative of it - the way siblings are treated, especially in Western/European fare. It's rare when sibling characters get along and have little-to-no ill will against one another... OR doing so WITHOUT coming off as grating, repetitive, and unnecessary!

The only thing I'm missing are some obvious examples, sadly - or maybe because I'm sure we've all seen it (even in GOOD Western/European fare, because this kind of BS is rare in Anime (thanks for that, Japan!)) at some point in our lives and it's pissed us off - I know we're not always going to get along with our parents, or even more difficultly, our siblings, but it's sad to see when the tropes are played out to the umpteenth level!

Sigh... Just one more reason I love Gravity Falls so much for avoiding these tropes and knowing how to actually portray and treat its kids characters (So far, anyway!).

edited 6th Jul '13 4:54:29 AM by TheShopSoldier

One example of good sibling cooperation from Europe is Dennisand Gnasher's Bea and Dennis.

Mabel and Dipper from Gravity Falls. The Thunderkittens from Thundercats2011 (I cannot comment on the 80's show having never watched it). The Turtles from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2012 may have rough patches, but the generally get along in most adaptations. Generator Rex always shows siblings as getting along reasonably well.

edited 6th Jul '13 8:49:54 AM by Windona

It's at least better than when they try to make them get along and instead end up making them seem incestuous.

If they get along, but keep the arguing/bickering BS to a minimum, no problem - not everyone agrees with everyone else, so arguing/bickering are natural to reaching a compromise, hopefully.

What you pointed out, however - YEAH... We DON'T need shit like that anywhere in anything! That's going too far and being legitimately creepy. I'm just thankful I don't notice too much from western/European fare. Anime, on the other hand, sadly (let's not say names nor dwell on this and move on, OK?!)....

edited 6th Jul '13 6:44:18 PM by TheShopSoldier