In response to what he perceived as a barrage of flashy,
insubstantial children’s programming geared towards turning children into
consumers, Fred Rogers created programming that treated children as people with
their own inherent value. Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood placed value on
imagination, but also talked with children about difficult real-world issues
like death, divorce, and segregation. Won’t You Be My Neighbor looks beyond the
show at the real Fred Rogers, who it turns out is very much like the patient,
gentle, caring character he portrayed on television. This documentary is an
insightful look at a person who served children in a unique and impactful way.
The Adoption
Connection
There is no adoption aspect to the film. If you’re
interested, though, Mr. Rogers did write a book on adoption!
Strong Points
There’s a lot of good here; so much of Mister Rogers’
philosophy could be helpfully applied to parenting or working with children. Here
are a few, paraphrased:
“There are so many difficult modulations of life, you’ve got
to weave so many things; if you’ve got someone to help you, it is easier.”
“Love is at the root of everything… All learning, all
relationships. Love. Or the lack of it.”
“Kids’ feelings are as powerful as adult feelings. Kids have
deep questions [and if you take their questions seriously] you have passed the
test, and can come into their lives.”
“I like you as you are. Children can’t grow unless they’re
accepted as they are.”
“Respectful communication is the most spiritual thing I can
do.”
“Kids need to be appreciated not for who they will be or
what they will do, but for who they are.”
“One of the first things a child learns in a healthy family
is trust.”
“Feelings are mentionable and manageable.”
“The most important part of communication is to listen.”
“Children need adults who will protect them from the ever-ready
molders of the world.”
“Love is what keeps us together, and grief shows the depth
of love.”
“Those who would try to make you feel less than who you are –
that is the greatest evil.”
“You don’t ever have to do anything sensational for people
to love you.”
“Everyone longs to be loved and to be loveable, and consequently
the greatest thing we can do is help people know they can be loved and that
they can love.”
One of Mister Rogers’ cast members found acceptance in Mister
Rogers that he hadn’t found elsewhere, saying “I needed a man to tell me he
loved me; he became my surrogate father [and told me] ‘I’m so proud of you.’”
Challenges
Some news footage related to an assassination and some late
night talk show clips could be out-of-bounds for younger viewers.
Recommendations
Won’t You Be My Neighbor is a well-made invitation to get to
know a gentle, willful, intentionally impactful television star who genuinely
used his position to serve children. While kids might not be entertained by the
documentary, it is valuable viewing for parents.
Questions for
Discussion
What messages might your kids need to hear from you about
themselves?
What could help you talk to your kids about uncomfortable topics
in a way that’s age-appropriate to them?
Who are the people that have invested in you? Who’s one person
that helped make you who you are today?
Other Ideas
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