> Did you like how Bowser was portrayed?

I think how badly Bowser proposed to Peach will help parents explain to their children the importance of consent in relationships.

• Bowser is bad because when he asked Peach for her to marry him and Peach told him “no”, Bowser hurt Peach until she said “yes”. Only bad people hurt others to get what they want.
• Mario is good because when he asked Peach to help him save Luigi and Peach told him “maybe”, Mario listened to what else Peach had to say. Peach then asked Mario to do the obstacle course before sheʼd say “yes”. If Peach had told Mario “no”, then Mario, being a good person, would have figured out another way to help Luigi without her help.
• Consent means that you listen after you ask for something. If you just ask and take, then youʼre like Bowser. If you ask and listen, then youʼre like Mario.
• If Bowser wanted to be a good person, when Peach told him “no”, he should have asked her “why” and listened. Then, if Peach asked Bowser and his army to leave, they should have left even if leaving made them feel embarrassed or angry. Then, after everyone cooled off, he could come again to ask more considerately; not hurting anyone or bringing a floating castle that made a mess by spilling lava everywhere would be a good start.

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