Debate: Can we let our kids watch?

Tens of millions of Americans will tune into the third and final presidential debate Wednesday night and wonder how low will it go. Parents of young children will have an added concern: Can we let the kids watch?

The worry would not be misplaced, following a week of discussion, claims and accusations about sexual harassment, unwanted sexual advances, even sexual battery — atypical presidential debate subjects sparked by GOP nominee Donald Trump's own words, as captured in an Access Hollywood recording from 11 years ago.

There's also the serial name-calling, interruptions, baiting, general recess-behavior, exaggerated facial expressions — conduct parents typically discourage in their offspring. Who expects to see that from their next president?

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“This is not how candidates are supposed to act,” said Brick resident Jeanette Maarleveld. “There is no common decency or civility in these debates. These candidates (the Democratic nominee is Hillary Clinton) can't even fake any decorum.

“These are the fools who our children will think of when you say 'president.' These are not the people I want my kids to look up to,” she said. Like Maarleveld, many parents are rethinking whether the debate — and general news coverage of the election throughout the media landscape — is suitable programming for children.

In children's magazine Highlights' annual "State of the Kid" survey, 80% of respondents — all children — said they talk about the presidential election at home.

• 62% talk about the election when "there is something about it on TV"
• 18% talk about it on "most days."
• 20% don't talk about the election "at all."

But the constant interruptions, mudslinging and discussions of sexual content could make Wednesday night's offering go hysterical before it turns historical.

“It’s an R-rated reality show,” said Common Sense Media CEO Jim Steyer.

Common Sense Media, a non-partisan non-profit which rates whether television shows and movies are suitable for kids and families, has called for debate moderators to keep candidates in check. And instead of focusing on the salacious soundbites, they should instead turn to more child-centric issues, such as education or health care.

“Many parents have decided to not let their kids watch the debate at all, and that’s not OK,” Steyer said. “Debates should provide families with teachable moments about our democracy. But we have to be worried that (Trump) will behave so badly and so inappropriately that we cannot allow our children of a certain age to watch.”

But the issues stem beyond simple content concerns, Steyer said.

He noted Trump’s behavior on stage during the second debate, with interruptions and constant shadowing of Clinton — later parodied on Saturday Night Live, with accompaniment from Jaws music. Steyer said it sets a bad example and  worries that Trump, facing flailing poll numbers, will “double- or triple-down” on his antics.

"It bothers me," said Ocean Township resident Shira Meyer, loading groceries into her car. "It bothers me that I can't have my 9-year-old watch any debate, any political show because I don't want her learning anything from (Trump's) example."

Viewership for the first and second debates topped 100 million and 60 million viewers, respectively, but even those kids who don't watch may be unable to avoid it: When it comes to the unsavory or salacious parts of the debate? It’s likely that kids have already heard it, seen it or Googled it.

“It’s really the lowering of societal standards on what is acceptable behavior on the parts of presidential candidates,” said Rutgers University journalism and media studies professor Steve Miller. “If you saw your 8-year-old crowding another 8-year-old when they were speaking — the way Trump did to Clinton — the kid would be sent to detention.

“The question isn’t about the language, it’s this recess schoolyard behavior the candidates are acting in,” he said.

It's been a common theme throughout Trump's campaign, Steyer said. For example, Trump and ex-candidate Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Florida, traded barbs about penis size over a few days during the primaries.

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The explicit content has only been heightened in recent weeks: Much of the conversation has centered around a 2005 video in which Trump made lewd comments, including that it's acceptable to "grab (women) by the p____."

Trump fired back before the Oct. 9 debate, appearing with a panel of women — four all told — who accused former president Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct, ramping up still more discussion of presidential sexcapades.

The political discussion has also served as a launching pad for discussions — some say badly needed conversations — about sexual harassment and unwanted sexual advances — in every corner of girls' and women's lives.

Although Trump apologized for what he called "locker room talk" during the Oct. 9 debate and denied that he had ever sexually assaulted anyone, multiple women — nine at last count — have stepped forward to allege sexually aggressive conduct by Trump.

Trump has sternly denied the charges, claiming a conspiracy between media, the accusers and the Clinton campaign to “rig” the election against him.

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Against that backdrop, it would be hard to imagine the R-rated subject matter not being a part of the third and final debate.

Parents should consider their child's maturity level before watching the debates with them — and be prepared to answer any awkward questions that may arise, Steyer said.

“It all depends on what the child can handle,” said Lacey resident Melanie Cash. “You have to explain it, tread carefully … Teach children to focus on the facts, not the drama that’s being created. They’re hearing enough of that and at such a young age.”

Miller calls it the "cacophony of noise."

"There's so many news outlets, so many ways to disseminate your message," he said, "that the only way to be heard is to be the most outlandish, off the wall you can be."

Follow Mike Davis on Twitter: @byMikeDavis