FOX News asks: Did Mr. Rogers destroy an entire generation?

David Edwards and Muriel Kane

Published: Friday July 6, 2007 Print This Email This

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Fox News hosts initially got a laugh out of recent allegations by a professor at Louisiana State University that tv personality Mr. Rogers produced a generation of kids who believe that "you're special just for being who you are" and therefore feel no need to work hard.

However, a follow-up segment reported more ominously that "the signs of narcissism in this society have been growing for 25 years," before quoting readers' letters blaming parents and Dr. Spock as well as Mr. Rogers.

A recent study suggested that 30% more college students display narcissistic attitudes today than when the study began in 1982. Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood, which was broadcast nationally from 1968 to 2001, was at its peak of popularity in 1985-86.

Fox then brought up the same claims yet again, asking stress expert and WNBC "lifestyle contributor" Dr. Georgia Witkin, "Do you believe his philosophy destroyed a generation?" Witkin giggled before responding that it "didn't hurt many people, but it didn't help either."

The following video is from Fox's Fox & Friends, broadcast on July 6.





