I really didn't expect to hear "Don't be a girl" on a kids' tv show, and so I've just sent this email to the Pop TV channel. Will be interesting to hear their response, if I get one at all.
"My son and I were enjoying Funnymals - very funny programme, great voices, loved it. Such a shame then to hear the response to a cormorant who didn't want to play: "Kevin, don't be a girl!"
I'm a girl, I'm good at sport, and I love to play sport. I felt the need to remind my son of that fact, and to remind him that other girls were similarly gifted at all types of sports, and being a wet blanket wasn't a typical trait of the gender.
Disappointing to have to point that out, broke the merriment somewhat. Please remember that as a programme broadcasting to children, you have a responsibility to avoid reinforcing negative stereotypes."
Would you be surprised/disappointed to hear this?