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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that Daddy Pig is a victim of domestic abuse?

41 replies

RockerMummy184 · 06/07/2015 10:15

Now, I know it is just a cartoon and I shouldn't take it so seriously, but thanks to my own personal experiences I'm a little bit more sensitive in this area than I maybe should be.

My DS loves Peppa Pig, resulting in us having watched probably hundreds of episodes. However, it wasn't until this weekend that I have actually taken any real notice of the story-lines (mainly it's just white noise in the background) and was quite shocked at how Daddy Pig is spoken to.

There were several occasions where he was called fat and even more where he was called lazy. One episode shows his wife and her parents mocking his weight, one of them saying 'your tummy is too big to get through the door', while his children giggle and join in.

I think if it was the other way round and Daddy Pig was calling Mummy Pig fat and lazy there would be major uproar about it. I also think the way he is treated is far too close to how a lot of domestic abuse starts; the insults put across as a big 'joke' to start off with so the person it is aimed at is not 'allowed' to be offended and speak up.

AIBU?

OP posts:
ConfusedInBath · 06/07/2015 10:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 06/07/2015 10:19

You watch it and actually listen to what the characters are saying to each other????

It's background noise here.

Yabu

SirChenjin · 06/07/2015 10:20

Umm...

I'm not really sure what to say to that, other than no, I don't think he is.

Baguettes · 06/07/2015 10:21

It's a kids TV show about pigs.

struckwithindecision · 06/07/2015 10:26

Actually I agree. I think if it was the other way round there would have been complaints.

MrsItsNoworNotatAll · 06/07/2015 10:29

It's a kids TV show about pigs.

Yep! That right there ^^

In reality pigs don't live in houses and drive cars. They don't trouble themselves at all with nonsense that some humans do.

I like Pigs

QuizteamBleakley · 06/07/2015 10:30

Miss Rabbit is busting ALLLLLLL the European Working Time Directives but it's background waffle and I don't think my DCs are looking to work 20 hour days as a result, 7 days a week so YABU, IMHO.

MyNameIsSuz · 06/07/2015 10:30

Actually, DH has banned it for that reason! We put up with it for a while, but two year old DS telling DH he had a fat tummy while watching that tree house episode put a stop to it!

BeyondTheWall · 06/07/2015 10:34

My kids tell my dad that he has a beer baby in his belly. I'll be sure to tell him that he is being abused. Thanks op.

BeyondTheWall · 06/07/2015 10:36

Actually i think it is fatist to assume that a statement of fact (daddy pig does have a big belly) is offensive, when no offense is intended. Why is it a bad thing to be told you are fat when you are? You're attaching value judgements to it.

OOAOML · 06/07/2015 10:39

I think a natural consequence of your children getting really into one programme is that you start over-thinking it. I remember getting increasingly enraged by the industrial relations/health and safety on the Sodor railways. DS wanted the books read to him at bedtime as well, and eventually it was taking us twice as long as it should have as there was a lot of 'well that's not very nice is it?' and 'that's not a very efficient way to manage a railway'.

Coffeethrowtrampbitch · 06/07/2015 10:39

I used to think the same in my sleep deprived toddler days, but now youngest is four we don't watch much Peppa Pig any more.

I slowly came to the horrifying conclusion that the reason I resented Daddy Pig's treatment is because I fancied his lovely deep voice and was jealous of smug Mummy Pig because I wanted her life, lovely house, sexy if rotund husband, plenty of friends and family support...

I get more sleep now thankfully.

TheEagle · 06/07/2015 10:41

DS cries when Daddy Pig leaves a scene so clearly he isn't affected by the "treatment" of Daddy Pig.

TheOriginalSteamingNit · 06/07/2015 10:41

The reason it wouldn't be OK for the Mummy Pig to be teased for being fat is that it isn't OK for women to be fat - not because abuse is tolerated when directed at men.

I don't buy into all the 'it's only X, why not worry about something that matters' stuff - everything matters, and stuff isn't unimportant just because of the medium in which it occurs. But the issue doesn't sound like it's about abuse - it's about the fact that it's OK for men to be a bit rounded and not women, if anything.

If it was 'just a show about pigs' they'd just be snuffling about in troughs or whatever pigs do - as a children's show, of course it draws on and feeds into what's going on in society.

Emochild · 06/07/2015 10:43

I banned peppa pig because
a) she's a rude little madam
and
b) because they are all horrible to daddy pig

They speak to him like he's stupid

Poor daddy pig

and yes I know it's only a cartoon but it doesn't make it right

saturnvista · 06/07/2015 10:46

Yes, I banned Peppa Pig recently because they speak to Daddy in such a disrespectful, unkind way. I could actually see it influencing the way my DD spoke to her dad and it wasn't fair to pull her up on it when she was watching Peppa doing it.

BlusteringBlues · 06/07/2015 10:47

I agree with you Blush but in my defence I am touchy about it as bil used peppa and George calling daddy pig fat as a way of justifying him getting my children joining in when he taunted dp about his belly...but then it was one example of how he tried to undermine dp with his own children Hmm
Before incident with bil though I wasn't fussed enough to listen to it.

tallwivglasses · 06/07/2015 10:50

Yes they treat him in the same way men are often portrayed in adverts - a bit useless in an 'ee, what's he like?' kind of way Angry

Fedupofplaystation · 06/07/2015 10:54

YANBU

DH particularly does not like Peppa Pig for this reason.

It's not just how they call him fat, but how the kids are disrespectful and backed up by their Mum rather than reprimanded, even if it's obvious that it's upsetting Daddy Pig.

I still let DD (3) watch it, but only when I'm with her so I can pause it when Peppa's being horrible and explain how that's unkind behavior etc.

GoblinMother · 06/07/2015 10:56

I totally agree, OP. I think it's sad that this kind of 'silly daddy/man' stuff is tolerated, when we'd all be up in arms if it was 'silly mummy/woman'. Yes, it's just a kids TV show, but it's showing children what is deemed acceptable behaviour. Belittling someone isn't acceptable IMO.

Dr0pThePirate · 06/07/2015 10:56

Well Peppa Pig's world is far from a utopia.

In one episode they go on holiday via an airport where they have to go through metal detecters and have their luggage x-rayed. In another episode Peppa's aunt is seen setting her house alarm at night. This means there is both terrorism and burglary/theft in Peppa Pig's world.

My theory is it's probably as hellish as our own but is portrayed through Peppa's eyes so seems innocent and fun. Do not be fooled.

Tizwailor · 06/07/2015 10:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SirChenjin · 06/07/2015 10:59

I think a natural consequence of your children getting really into one programme is that you start over-thinking it

Very true.

PerpendicularVincenzo · 06/07/2015 13:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sallystyle · 06/07/2015 13:18

They are very mean to poor Daddy pig.

My dd once told DH he needed a password to go into her room, and the password was 'Daddy's fat tummy'. She then started rubbing it talking about his fat tummy! He didn't actually have a fat tummy then

Mummy pig just makes me feel inferior. She doesn't mind when they jump in muddy puddles and trek it all into the house Grin

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