Is it good to expose children to AIDS?

Yes, but at what age? I think they are never too young to learn about it. If Sesamey Street puts a puppet on I think it will not be good.

Sreet would never show a a puppet bleeding or spitting or kissing or sharing food. This is a problem becuase these are various ways the disease can be transmitted. If a child does not know this and has a friend with AIDS he might try to help him with a cut. We all know how little kids are. He might share his soda with him. A female might kiss him. He might try to become blood brothers with him.

Once parents realize a character on Street has AIDS they might not teach their kids about AIDS because they think Street will.

Thus a chracter with AIDS is no good. We should put more pressure on parents to teach their children about AIDS.

ok, so i understand that people should come to know and accept hiv children as everyday people. and i really hope that it serves its purpose and helps eliminate prejudice, but where are the other characters we need? how about a black man? or a black woman for that matter? or how about a powerful athority figure woman? or how about puppets with other types of diseases? hey, i have arthritus.. or would that seem to laughable for a young puppet to not be able to use their hands right...

I think people with HIV should be treated the same way people without it do, cuz its juss wrong that wen people hav a disease they get treated differently, and its usually they get treated badly by their peers, and i juss think thats messed up!!!!!!

I say I will have to agree with cami101 on this one. I believe the lack of awarness education for HIV/AIDS is unacceptable, and that something should be done about it; however, targeting the right audience is just as important. I agree we should start young.....but are 4 and 5 year olds just too young? If they are not at an age where they can understand the concept than what is the point? And does a muppet really represent the seriousness of the disease? Is it an insult to the millions of children and adults that are infected? If we want people to see the reality of HIV and AIDS than lets hit them with reality. Lets make them really feel for the victims. I think the classroom is probably the best option we have. Host an Aids and HIV awarness day or something where victims their own age can come in and tell their stories.....or brothers or sisters. Let kids know this is serious and tragic. I don't know if a cartoon character or a toy can point that out effectivly.

I agree because at my school I'm sure there are people who are HIV positive and they dont want to say anything because they might feel left out or not wanted because people would think they were nasty. In my oppinion they should have school discussions about the topic to let people know it's not contagious except only by sexual intercourse. I mean they have school discussions about sex, tabacco, and drugs so why not HIV?

I don't think it's wrong to start educating younger kids about HIV/AIDS, but I think kids watching Sesame Street are just TOO young to get the whole concept of what the public is trying to display. I mean almost all of these kids are under age 10. It's impossible for them to fully understand what is going on. If society wants to really start putting information out there, they need to target their audience at an age where they can understand the situation and what can cause this. I don't understand why now you can put an HIV/AIDS puppet on TV, but putting a character on any other TV program rarely happens.

I think its a great idea. It couldnt harm kids in any way, just do good, and raise awareness and toleration. They should do this kind of thing with different issues and different characters in the tv shows for kids. If we educate them when they are still little theyll grow up withouth prejudices and with acceptance towards others as well as information about issues that can affect them. I am sure Sesame Street will find a way to make it simple. Great idea!

When you start kids learning things young, it is more ingrained in their brains. If Seseme street can find a way to explain HIV to kids in simple terms, more power to them. Studies show that kids learn better when they are younger. If they are exposed to new foods or languages at a young age, they learn to like the foods and understand the languages. Isn't this the same thing? Even if it doesn't work, it can't hurt them

The charchter will not be discussing condoms and needles, but the point is twofold; to show that people with diseases are normal and end predjudice among children regarding this, and to warn children not to get other people's blood on them, etc.

I think it's a good idea to educate children about HIV, but I think Sesame Street is starting too young. I remember when I used to watch it, I was about three as were my brothers and sister. You would only confuse children that young, they wouldn't understand anyway. Maybe they should incorporate that into another show with a slightly higher age group. I don't know which one, but I think it would be a better idea.

I really dont see a problem with educating children about the dangers of this disease, or any disease for that matter. No, it's not a happy subject, but it's Sesame street for goodness sakes, they're going to do it in a tasteful way. I think if we can start educating the young masses early about the disease, then maybe they'll get it through their heads to prevent themselves from getting the disease, and just maybe, one day, we wont need the puppet anymore.

Yes,yes!There should be a Muppet on the show that's HIV positive,kids need to learn that evan HIV positive people in this world are still people.
I don't see what's so graphic about it,I learned about HIV when I was lil'

I think it is a good thing to add an HIV positive muppet. Children need to learn to accept all different people. Tolerence of HIV positive adults and children is extreamly important! With children in school knowing more about HIV and that people who have it are regular human beings just like themselves, then maybe some of the teasing in elementary classrooms would decrease for everyone. HIV positive children have a right to be accepted among their peers, and if we aren't allowing it to be accepted on TV then how will these children every find tolerance and acceptance from others? A place to belong in schools? If we aren't instilling in our children, values that need to be there, such as tolerance and acceptance towards all people, then how will these children born with HIV or contracted with HIV by other means every feel friendship and companionship by others. To not tolerate the release of HIV information to children we are only hurting those that have it, and those who will come in contact with people who have it!

I think it should be there. Little kids need to learn their information on AIDS from a reliable source. Sometimes parents teach their kids what they believe, not the truth. Older kids learned about AIDS in the late 80s, early 90s, from tv shows like Mr. Belvadere and Life Goes On, and it is even more important now that kids learn the facts, if it weren't from retro tv, I'd still be afraid to go into a room with people who have AIDS, now I volunteer at a hospice.

I don't think there's any harm in it. Seems to me that getting children used to dealing with relevant issues that affect the world is a good thing.

Maybe it'll teach them a little tolerance. Wouldn't that be a shock?