This review is on the fourth episode,
season four of the animated series South Park entitled Timmy 2000.
The episode has two separate stories, that come together at the end,
but I will be focusing on the side that discusses the diagnosis of
ADD and the use of Ritalin on children as a form of discipline. To view the plot in its entirety on Wikipedia CLICK HERE. The
themes I will analyze throughout this review will include concepts
around discipline, the use of prescription drugs as a replacement for
other older forms of discipline, school's foundations built on
traditional methodology and the banking model. I will review this
episode based on ideas and concepts covered in class material from a
variety of authors like Michele Foucault, Paulo Freire, Roger Deacon
and Edward W. Morris.
The reason for the use of Ritalin and
other such prescription drugs are said to be for the treatment of ADD
and ADHD, but the reality of it is that it is over used. The use of
these drugs is claimed by many to be a form of discipline which is a
major part of education. Discipline is an aspect of the “hidden
curriculum” and is arguably the priority of modern education
systems, to exert certain morale's and control of society and mold
students to particular ways. Kids are viewed as distracted when in
reality they are simply being kids, in the show one mother states
“Stan your acting like an 8 year old” to which he replies “I am
an 8 year old”, I think this illustrates the view of parents and
teachers and their tendency to lose sight of the individual as a kid
whereas they only see the “subject”
