Changes to Pooh

[kelleigh1]

Will they call her Robin Christopher?

For those interested, you can find the USA Today article here. I wonder if they are trying to make the show more attractive to girls because boys may "outgrow" Pooh earlier than girls do.

My husband is 36 and certainly hasn't outgrown Pooh.

I bet A.A. Milne is rolling over in his grave right now. He created the story of Pooh for his son...Christopher Robin Milne. Who knew that Disney performed sex changes?

 

[bicker]

So, are you saying that you agree with the change??

I can definitely see a reasonable basis for making the change, and don't object to it.

I don't really believe that little ones have changed that much.

We'll just have to agree to disagree about that. However, I would grant you that for the youngest children, their changing probably has much less to do with this change to the story than how their parents have changed. In the end, what drives such changes are changes in the people who influence the purchasing decision. In the case of infants, that's clearly the parents, not the infant. In the case of children, that's clearly more so the children. Toddlers, it's probably more of a mix between the two.

As far as I'm concerned it's making a change to a children's classic that is not needed.

Need is always a matter of perspective. When I was a teenager I decided I needed to stay at college during intersession, because I needed more independence. My mother didn't see that need. We had different objectives, so what we perceived as "need" differed.

 

[bicker]

Next thing you know there are going to be guys in princess costumes. Wouldn't want to offend anyone or leave anyone out.

You may have hit on something. Christopher Robin is depicted in the stories as a particularly sensitive child. These days, I see a lot of parents equating a sensitive boy with inappropriate and erroneous sexual connotations. That could be an underlying cause for why parents/children (as applicable) may be more amenable to a female Christopher Robin (Robin Christopher, or how about Kris Robin?) than to the traditional one.

 

[iwaseeyore]

Will the change affect the next 80 years of Pooh fanatics? I doubt it since they may only know the new character. It seems to me that there are changes all the time. Didn't Mickey have nieces or nephews. What happened to Huey, Duey and Louis, Horace Horsecollar or Clarabelle the Cow.

I think you all just care about your memories.

 

[ElleBelle]

Need is always a matter of perspective. When I was a teenager I decided I needed to stay at college during intersession, because I needed more independence. My mother didn't see that need. We had different objectives, so what we perceived as "need" differed.

?????? too deep for me. I mean, jeez- we were just talking about pooh and christopher robin.

 

[tlbwriter]

My husband is 36 and certainly hasn't outgrown Pooh.

Well, if your husband is requesting stuffed Pooh and Eeyore dolls for Christmas, he's not exactly in the mainstream. My 41-year-old husband is a Tigger fan. But girls are probably more likely to steer the merchandising express train, kwim? My 6-year-old daughter still likes stuffed animal versions of her favorite characters. Most boys that age have moved on to "action figures," and Winnie the Pooh doesn't really lend itself to action figures. So, while I don't like it (I think it is messing with classic literature that really didn't need to be messed with), I can see why Disney might want to try making Pooh more girl-centered.

I bet A.A. Milne is rolling over in his grave right now. He created the story of Pooh for his son...Christopher Robin Milne. Who knew that Disney performed sex changes?

Considering how much Christopher Milne hated the Pooh books and felt exploited by his father, he may be tapdancing in his own grave.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I think it's a really stupid idea.

 

[In a hurry]

You may have hit on something. Christopher Robin is depicted in the stories as a particularly sensitive child. These days, I see a lot of parents equating a sensitive boy with inappropriate and erroneous sexual connotations. That could be an underlying cause for why parents/children (as applicable) may be more amenable to a female Christopher Robin (Robin Christopher, or how about Kris Robin?) than to the traditional one.

That is the point. Everything "boy" has become "shoot em up, Buzz Lightyear/Power Ranger" stuff. I liked a little boy with stuffies! When society as a whole (and the books I use in my classroom especially) are promoting more of a metrosexual attitude. I just had my little guy, but I watch the young men (6 and 7 year olds) in a constant battle over how people want them to behave (like little girls) as opposed to their basic genetic calling. I use all of the terms very loosely, so please don't be offended.

Then the school books won't allow men working, women cooking, smart asians, or jewish doctors. It's confusing to a mom and teacher, can't imagine how these little kids are dealing!

iwaseeyore, memories are what sell many things. The baby boomers are shoppers above all else.

 

[iwaseeyore]

iwaseeyore, memories are what sell many things. The baby boomers are shoppers above all else.

So you're making my point. The memories of the next generation will be of the new character and thats what they will buy.

 

[prestonsmomma]

Why Oh Why Oh why??????? As a Mother of a BOY (and I mean 100% boy) why would they take Christopher Robin out of the story??? It makes NO sense to me. He is a caring and loving little boy. Wouldn't we all like to keep a bit of that attitude in our boys for a bit longer?? I know I would.

 

[yeaitspootie]

Okay folks, the bottem line is this, it's a feminists world and Disney has probably been getting bashed about how there's no females in Winnie the Pooh, and since everything must be "politically correct," Disney, in order to save themselves, has to make changes to things. I see why Disney would do it because they don't want to get sued or get into a big commotion. I'm sure Disney isn't happy to change it. I say we tell Disney to stand its ground and not let these feminists control the best company on earth!!!!!!!!

 

[tlbwriter]

Okay folks, the bottem line is this, it's a feminists world and Disney has probably been getting bashed about how there's no females in Winnie the Pooh, and since everything must be "politically correct," Disney, in order to save themselves, has to make changes to things. I see why Disney would do it because they don't want to get sued or get into a big commotion. I'm sure Disney isn't happy to change it. I say we tell Disney to stand its ground and not let these feminists control the best company on earth!!!!!!!!

(um... that was a joke, wasn't it?)

 

[tinknme]

I think this is a horrible Idea. I can't imagine Pooh without Christopher Robins, what are they thinking

Eveything about those stories and those characters are timeless. I'm so disappointed. Who really thinks this is a good idea???

 

[tmt martins]

I think C R has something else on his mide rather then POOH.

What Red blooded american boy wouldn't want a nice Tomboy Girl to play in the woods with.

 

[maccalovah]

I guess I don't really care either way- the loss of the classic literature version many of you are bemoaning will still be there- Disney isn't out to eradicate Christopher Robin completely!

I guess my opinion is based purely on the fact that I don't bother with all those silly straight-to-video sequels Disney is always putting out. Just never have interested me, and this new Pooh universe probably won't either...

 

[nhpooh]

My husband is 36 and certainly hasn't outgrown Pooh.

I bet A.A. Milne is rolling over in his grave right now. He created the story of Pooh for his son...Christopher Robin Milne. Who knew that Disney performed sex changes?

Well I am 49 and I know I haven't outgrown Pooh. Just ask my DH and DD. Pooh as you can see by my signature is my favorite, I just love Pooh and all his friends just the way they are.

 

[EltonJohn]

Here is the article.

Too bad Christopher Robin Milne isn't around to witness this. Later in his life he resented the fact that his father named the famous Christopher Robin character after him. Knowing that, I think that this is a good move. Christopher Robin Milne would probably be pleased that his character is being written off. Again, it's a shame that the real Christopher Robin isn't alive to see this.

I bet A.A. Milne is rolling over in his grave right now.

Perhaps, but his son would probably be jumping for joy if he were still alive.

He created the story of Pooh for his son...Christopher Robin Milne.

And CR Milne resented his father for naming the character after him. He wrote in an autobiography, "It seemed to me almost that my father had got where he was by climbing on my infant shoulders, that he had filched from me my good name and left me nothing but empty fame."

 

[Harmony]

If that is indeed true, then I would strongly oppose it as well. Disney is really beginning to tilt towards girls in its marketing. There are numerous princess meals, but no hero meals that might appeal to boys.

I agree...it's very focused towards girls and as a mom of three boys, it's really hard to find something 'gender-neutral.' (glad they added Stitch meal )

I'm two oldest don't want to do Disney anymore and I have a feeling that this is one of the reasons.

 

[freediverdude]

A little tomboyish girl with a bicycle helmet?? What in heck are they thinking??
Well, once I saw it was the Disney CHANNEL execs that were doing this, it shed a little more light on the motivation. The Disney channel is very heavily skewed towards preteen girls, unfortunately. And the Disney channel saw how popular Pooh is, and wanted some of that action, and decided their viewership might watch more if the human character was a girl, I'm thinking. Which to me, doesn't give them license to just change one of the classic characters, but knowing the Disney channel it doesn't surprise me.

 

[Sammie]

If you would like to complain about the change go to the Disney Channel at Disney.com and email them.

Talking about it here is only venting.