Washington, Dec 10 (ANI): While most people think of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" as a cute little story, academicians have claimed that the classic is harmful to children as it promotes bullying.
George Giuliani from the Long Island University in New York, who has written an alternative to the Christmas classic called "No More Bullies at the North Pole," says the treatment Rudolph receives from jolly St. Nick and his merry band of reindeer is equivalent to bullying.
He exemplifies his deduction by citing a scene from the classic where, when Comet, the team coach, discovers Rudolph's nose glows, he banishes him from the team and tells the other reindeer to never let him join in any reindeer games.
"What a terrible message to send to children,"ABCNews.com quoted Giuliani as saying.
He even points a finger at Santa Claus as he chastises Donner, Rudolph's father, for having a red-nosed offspring and enforces policies at the North Pole that keep Hermey toiling away as an elf instead of allowing him to be the dentist he dreams of being.
"The whole community of the North Pole is into exclusion, not inclusion. You even have an island of misfit toys. The word 'misfit' is used 27 times,"
Giuliani has confessed to never having been a fan of the Rudolph story ever since hearing the Christmas carol at age 14 and thinking, "What an awful song this is."
In the cartoon, Hermey and Rudolph eventually run away together, which for the professor is an "unintended consequence of bullying."
"which is what's going on in America today, with the worst tragedy of all being some commit suicide," he said.
Even Rudolph's happy ending as Santa realizes the reindeer's glowing red nose can actually guide his sleigh through a Christmas night snowstorm doesn't give right message according to the professor.
"The message to disabled children is we will not accept you as you are, but only if you can do something extraordinary," he said.
Herbert Nieburg, a Connecticut psychologist and bullying expert, said Rudolph's story is absolutely a case of bullying, specifically "ostracism and exclusion."
For parents who grew up with these classic Christmas cartoons, it's no longer enough to sit and enjoy them with your children.
Giuliani has invites parents to read his book with their kids after watching Rudolph.
The book, which can be downloaded at his website learningaboutbullying.com is about 10 of Santa's policies that Mrs. Claus shows him are unfair or hurtful. It's a book that reflects the times we live in.
"If Rudolph was coming out now, they would have a hard time selling it," Giuliani added. (ANI)
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