For anyone unaware, this is a PBS ("Public Broadcasting Service") show which originated in the States, then spread around the world via various permutations. In other words, it was a wildfire hit that kids and educators everywhere absolutely fell in love with, fast. The goal as I understand it was to help modern kids understand and cope with the world around them, sort of an update from previous shows like Howdy Doody, Andy Devine, and whatever else I'm forgetting. I've talked before about how much I venerate Jim Henson.
Known human cast: Bob McGrath (Bob), Matt Robinson (Gordon), Loretta Long (Susan), and Will Lee (Mr. Hooper).
Muppets: Big Bird, Bert, Ernie, and an early orange version of Oscar the Grouch (who turned green in the second season).
Performers at bottom: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, and Caroll Spinney, which begs the question-- who the heck's performing as Big Bird??
@taiyang@lemmy.world adds on:
"Almost there on description but I want to add it also was aimed and oriented towards lower income families in particular, a big reason it takes place in the kind of urban environment you’d grow up in if you were a poor (usually ethnic minority) kid.
"Lots of segments also highlighted things like community resources, like libraries, as well as all sorts of stuff rich people want to defund. But PBS has always been like that, hence why they illegal defunded it last year.
"Quick edit: oh I know a bit about this because of my PhD in education. They did studies on its impact because it was to elevate education outcomes. Iirc, it wasn’t all that effective but that’s mostly because poverty is really, really bad for educational outcomes."
It wasn't just the educational outcomes. It deeply embedded a sense of self worth, that you matter in a world that tries to convince you otherwise. That fighting insurmountable problems is possible and if you are struggling, ask friends for help. That you have value to the world, that's not measured on what you can provide. You just matter because you exist. Everyone deserves love. It made you feel welcome and loved. It made you feel like there was a place for you in this world. Theres so much more. Those are powerful tools and qualities to give.
In actuality, yes, and I imagine that was the vision many who worked in the show had. I'm mostly referring to the "on paper" arguments made for the PBS funding and whatnot.
And to be fair to Sesame Street, it's not like a television program can undo years of segregation, redlining, broken homes, and whatnot; but I like to believe it makes some difference given there's a lot of statistical noise in those kinds of studies.