OMG…Remember “Free To Be…You And Me?”

I may be dating myself when I say that I used to have the “Free To Be…You and Me” album on heavy rotation in my play room when I was a wee Tami. Thanks to Soul Bounce, I rediscovered this charming performance of “When We Grow Up” by Roberta Flack and Michael Jackson on the ABC special of “Free To Be…” that aired in 1974. Some 30 years later, the message is still empowering to children. Of course, seeing Michael Jackson performing this tune gives it special resonance. From Wiki:

Free to Be… You and Me is a record album and illustrated songbook for children, first released in November 1972, and later in 1974 as a television special, featuring songs and stories from celebrities (credited as “Marlo Thomas and Friends”). Using poetry, songs, and sketches, the basic concept was to salute values such as individuality, tolerance, and happiness with one’s identity; a major thematic message is that anyone, whether a boy or a girl, can achieve anything one wants.

The album has become a cult classic across the United States amongst many who were children in the 1970s.

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Comments

Mer wrote:

I just bought this album for my daughter last week

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 1:19 pm ¶
Amanda Casabianca wrote:

I put that up on my blog as soon as he passed. I feel its the most poignant of all of Michael Jackson performances. For so many of us who had this disc playing in heavy rotation during activity time in elementary school, it brings back a flood of memories. So glad you posted this, “Free To Be You and Me’ , is still one of the greatest children’s records in the Anti-Racist/stereotyping parenting arsenal plus the music and production quality is excellent.

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 1:57 pm ¶
Jennifer P wrote:

I was also raised on FTBY&M, and I’ve enjoyed sharing some of the songs and videos with my son. But it’s worth noting that its dated in some potentially problematic ways, and some parts may actually introduce today’s kids to stereotypes they’ve never actually encountered before–e.g. “William Wants a Doll” and its incessant chorus of mocking voices. At age 3, it really hadn’t occurred to my progressive preschool-attending son that there was anything even remotely unusual about boys playing with dolls. And I’ve heard some concerns about the heterocentrism of some parts, although I think that might be something they tried to address in “Free to Be a Family.” But a lot of it does hold up very well, my favorite segment on the video: Rosie Grier’s fabulous performance of “It’s All Right to Cry.”

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 2:23 pm ¶
Kelly wrote:

I had the vinyl when I was a wee one and LOVED it. I plan getting one for my daughter.

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 2:28 pm ¶
Rachel wrote:

Love it! “Free to Be…You and Me” is a classic childhood album! I listened to the LP when I was young and bought the CD a few years ago for my own children to enjoy. Always relevant. Thanks for this!

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 2:57 pm ¶
Torey wrote:

I’ve got to agree with Jennifer P. I LOVED this album as a kid, but it is no longer appropriate without discussion. For instance, Diana Ross sings, “When we grow up, will I be a lady? Will YOU be an Engineer?”

Are Lady and Engineer opposites?

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 4:44 pm ¶
Amanda Casabianca wrote:

@ Jennifer P: True, I usually skip the “William Wants a Doll” track myself. Thankfuly things have changed!

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 4:58 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:

I was raised on the album too, esp. since my mom had tons of Marlo Thomas albums for her preschool classroom, but didn’t know until like last YEAR that there was a video with it. So of course I had to get it for our family. And all the vids are youtubed. Eventually I’ll get the DVD.

Like Jennifer P, I think most of it holds up over time, although yeah, it’s more gender-stereotype-focused than anything else, and that I believe was intentional on Marlo Thomas’s part (it was the 70s but kids messages were stuck in the 50s).

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 5:13 pm ¶
LSG wrote:

I’m 23, and was brought up on the audio tape of FTBY&M — my parent’s way, I now realize, of sneakily counteracting the very conservative, evangelical Christian, traditional-gender-roles ideas that dominated our entirely White rural farming community. “Parents are People” was always my favorite (is it my imagination, or is the video missing verses that were on the tape?) but this video made me tear up. I’m so glad they’re still making this!

Posted 01 Jul 2009 at 8:50 pm ¶
yday wrote:

Oh, how I wish these issues were no longer current. I have 5-year old boy/girl twins and this CD & movie has been so great this year.

As much as I break down stereotypes with my kids, gender restrictions are huge with preschoolers. One they started school, it didn’t take long for them to notice how many people don’t think like us. Other boys (3.5 years old) chastised my son for just holding a pink umbrella. I told those boys I disagreed and didn’t believe in “girl colors.” The teacher said, where do they get this stuff? Come on! It’s everywhere.

I agree more parents are open to boys having dolls and kids believing they can grow up and be anything they want, but I can’t say kids are growing up anywhere near free of gender restrictions.

One thing I noticed that could be updated and improved upon is a transgender awareness. Girls can grow to be daddies and boys can be grandmas… Maybe that’s the long-awaited sequel. Free to Be LGBT.

Posted 02 Jul 2009 at 10:18 am ¶
AZ in YUL wrote:

I grew up on FTBY&M too! -book and vinyl, never saw the footage before today. Must get the DVD! I bought the cassette for the car when my first baby came on the scene, and it is back on heavy rotation now that my youngest can express her desire for music in the car. My favorite track: Brothers and Sisters, Least fav: Girl Land. I also really appreciate William’s Doll-and can tell you that there are STILL people out there who NEED to really hear and understand it, even today. At the onsite day care (and I work at a University) on site, I have heard parents comment on children’s attire-either about little girls who wear their older brother’s hand me downs (mine!) or little boys who like to wear jewlery and dresses.
Thanks for the link!

Posted 02 Jul 2009 at 10:33 am ¶
OR mama wrote:

i loved that record growing up. we started playing it for my son from the get go. i’ll even (anonymously, of course) admit that i sometimes play it when i’m the only one home.

i’ve never seen the video…will check it out.

Posted 03 Jul 2009 at 1:00 am ¶
Jennifer P wrote:

Oh, yes, I definitely didn’t mean that I think challenging gender stereotypes is no longer necessary or relevant, just that the particular dynamics have shifted a lot, so some of the specifics seem out of sync, while some of the issues we face today (princess mania, hypersexualized clothes for very young girls, much more violent movies and games, rampant consumer marketing to kids, etc.) aren’t really addressed. It would actually be great to see someone do something like this for the 21st century–it’s amazing what’s happened to children’s media since deregulation.

Posted 04 Jul 2009 at 8:16 pm ¶