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Feminist TV for girls

30 replies

user1480880826 · 17/08/2019 14:56

My 3 year old watches TV in the evenings after nursery when she’s too tired to do anything else and I’m too busy making dinner to entertain her. However, all of the popular shows have male lead characters and few (sometimes no) female characters. Take Paw Patrol as an example. Seven main characters and only one is female. There is another less prominent female character but she is a ditsy, flapping older woman.

What can she watch that isn’t going to teach her that the world is occupied solely by males and that females fulfil a very narrow role (where they have to be dressed in pink)?

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TooMinty · 18/08/2019 21:55

The Magic Schoolbus on Netflix. Kickass female teacher and equal number of intelligent girl characters

WineIsMyCarb · 18/08/2019 21:40

My 3yo likes Hilda on Netflix. It's quite trippy though!

Kilbranan · 18/08/2019 21:37

Definitely Dora it is great! My daughter also watches my little pony and Shera (which is an updated version of the one I watched as a girl). It’s quite good but I confess I haven’t paid too much attention to storylines. Shera kicks butt which is good though Grin

Aroundtheworldin80moves · 18/08/2019 21:22

Barbie films. Yes it's pink and sparkly... But Barbie herself is a strong character and doesn't need a male character to save her. She's a space explorer, secret agent, actress, carer for younger sisters, horse rider, surfer...
Even in Barbie Rapunzel she saved herself vfrom the tower without a prince.

joggerbottom · 18/08/2019 13:36

Radical- I thought the same as you about My Little Pony. My DD is actually a bit scared of MLP and says that the eyes are too scary for her.

Also another 👍 for Sarah and Duck. Can't believe I forgot to mention it as it is my favourite!!

minipie · 18/08/2019 10:19

To the person who recommended Bing and Octonauts - those shows are really light on female characters.

My point with Bing was not that it has female characters, but that it shows male characters in traditionally female roles. Which I think is just as important as showing strong female characters.

Octonauts could be better, yes. But it’s better than Paw Patrol!

nellodee · 18/08/2019 09:31

Abney and Teal (Bop is female, btw)
The Magic School Bus (old version)
Nina and the Neurons

Original poster
user1480880826 · 18/08/2019 09:11

@TeaForDad yes, I also refer to people/things as she by default. All of her toys and teddies are she.

OP posts:
HeyDuggeesCakeBadge · 18/08/2019 09:03

Nella the Princess knight
Catie's amazing machines
Do you know (female lead)

ScrunchyBook · 18/08/2019 08:14

My twins only watch Cbeebies (we don't pay for any subscription services and we don't watch tv with adverts) so all the ones joggerbottom mentioned. Also Fern and Rory pet shows, Biggleton, Numberblocks, Alphablocks, Swashbuckle, terrible acting in Apple Tree House.

LoveGrowsWhere · 18/08/2019 08:10

Ebb and Flo

3mks · 18/08/2019 08:06

Dora the explorer.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 18/08/2019 07:55

Also dd quite likes True on Netflix. Not seen enough to know it's full credentials but it's a lead girl who solves problems and helps others.

joggerbottom · 18/08/2019 07:51

All CBeebies:
Molly and Mack
Katie Morag
Maddie's Do You Know?
Catie's Amazing Machines

CaptainKirksSpookyghost · 18/08/2019 07:50

When she's older there's a lot more stuff.
The 'inbestigators' on netflix has 2 girls and 2 boys in the main cast, with one girl being the main detective.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 18/08/2019 07:46

Nella the Princess Knight. I was doubtful but actually she is awesome!

SophyStantonLacy · 18/08/2019 07:32

Puffin Rock

TeaForDad · 18/08/2019 07:18

Catie's amazing machines 100%
Bitz and Bob
Dino Dana
Dragons race to the edge

Also when you watch, just refer to characters as she. I do that with my boy and girl especially when we watch motoX I say "look how high that girl jumped" (sneaky right)

Squashpocket · 18/08/2019 07:17

I only have boys, but we (I) like watching Maddie's Do you know? And Catie's Amazing Machines, which both have female presenters. Although I completely agree that the female representation on kids TV is absolute crap all round.

RadicalStitch · 18/08/2019 07:07

For when she's older Odd Squad or The Worst Witch. Also Hetty Feather.
My little pony is gross. Sparkly nonsense and there is some horrible connection with paedophiles dressing as MLP. Bronies or something.

GreenishPurple · 18/08/2019 07:06

Sarah and duck? I really like that show and Sarah doesn't wear pink. I agree with you about Paw Patrol, it really is awful when it come to female representation. I find CBeebies programmes in general better for male female balance

CaptainKirksSpookyghost · 18/08/2019 06:58

Sorry posted too soon, that's literally the only modern one I know of, no princess and no sparkles, just a girl who loves dinosaurs, see them and educates people around her about them.

CaptainKirksSpookyghost · 18/08/2019 06:56

Dino Dana.

Original poster
user1480880826 · 18/08/2019 06:30

Thanks everyone. It’s not a great selection though is it?

The My Little Pony show sounds like it’s making a bit of an effort with the roles but just look at the names of the characters. It’s all twinkly, sparkly and pink. And one is described as being fashion conscious.

To the person who recommended Bing and Octonauts - those shows are really light on female characters. You say that 4 males to 2 females on octonauts isn’t too bad but it’s actually really crap. The screen is dominated by Male characters. Bing has two main characters and they’re both male.

And Princess Elena is yet another princess.

I despair.

OP posts:
minipie · 17/08/2019 23:38

Bitz & Bob (female inventor) might be a bit old for a 3 year old
Masha and the Bear
Octonauts is not too bad (ratio 4 male to 2 female, I think) and they do have non stereotypical roles (engineer/inventor and computer whiz)
Bing (male slightly wet child and male caregiver)
Earth to Luna (female child finding out science stuff)
Trolls spin off TV show - female leader

NOT Peppa Pig - stereotypes all over the place