Allow Children to See All Representation2 min read

Are children’s cartoons too sexist for the modern age?

That’s a question that is being debated on social media due to an episode of. Peppa Pig. The London Brigade pointed out the outdated portrayal of firefighters in the episode being referred to as ‘firemen’.

They brought up the argument of that term being retired for 30 years. They are now a gender inclusive organisation having both genders being known as firefighters.

This poses another question, is Peppa Pig the only cartoon that is using outdated terminology?

Another cartoon that was attached to this argument was Fireman Sam, it said that this cartoon, whilst it may have a female firefighter (firefighter Penny), the LFB is arguing her role is devalued and doesn’t portray the hard work of an actual female firefighter.

In the era of the woman and being PC, is it right that most of the things that are being viewed to children still stand in the dark where change has yet to happen?

It is statically proven that 5% of firefighters in England and Scotland are women and just a mere 3% in Northern Ireland. There is a clear understanding on the side of the LFB where they employ 354 female firefighters.

This argument holds a bigger issue when it comes to expressing the right representation for children. Whether it be through cartoons or in the classroom, it is never too early to learn about the different kinds of people in the world and what both genders can do.

Children, both boys and girls, need to feel as though they can do or be whatever they chose to be.

One of the most prominent children’s figures is Barbie. Now years ago, Barbie was representing the outdated side of society and the times.

As the decades and times went by so did Barbie’s representation, firefighter Barbie went on sale in 1995 and it was brought back in a series called ‘career dolls’ for the company’s 60th birthday.

Aside from having an entire series tailored to different careers, Barbie could have also shown its inclusivity with creating dolls based on public figures of today.

So far Barbie has created a doll of Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas and it was just reported that they have created a doll in the same likeness of British – Ghanaian model Adwoa Aboahas a part of its role model collection.

The representation in cartoons maybe slow to express but when it comes to toys and others of that nature it is at a greater level of change.

Children are naturally curious beings and having as much representation and inclusiveness shown to them would allow them to see that the world isn’t just black and white.

There is a multitude of things that are around them and having that shown would teach them that everyone is the same and anyone can do what they choose to do no matter what.

Photo by Soren Astrup Jorgensen on Unsplash