Anyone think there is a distinct lack of good female role models on childrens TV

[michie40]

My daughter said yesterday that she "couldn't be a super hero because she wasn't a little boy". This got me thinking. When we watch childrens TV (Cbeebies mostly as she is only 3) there are not many good dinamic role models for girls. I find the tweenies in paticular really annoying and far too girly for my liking - they are forever dressing up as princesses or doing there hair. Stephanie (Lazy Town) is OK but always has to rescued by sporticus. I am trying to think of female superheros but can't think of any for small children. Does anyone agree that we need more strong female "superheros" perhapes a bit like Dora?

sp dynamic

oh yes, i do agree.

but i am renounced for my overanalysis of the numberjacks.

aaargh.

I am renouned, afaik

but of course, may also be renounced, who knows?

Nina and the Neurons

Auntie Mabel

Josie Jump

Oh god the Number Jacks - Number 3 is far to girly and prissy whilst number 4 is clearly a brave boy with good leadership skills.

Hadn't thought of Nina but she still isn't exactly exciting or a superhero.

Who is Auntie Mabel?

Just don't like Josie - not sure why - shes just a bit annoying.
(has the actress who plays her changed recently - me and DH are having a disagreement about it - he says she hasn't changed, im convinced she has).

Nina knows all the answers

Auntie Mabel (Come Outside) flies her own plane!

Josie has a can-do attitude (ditto Stephanie, albeit nauseatingly so)

yes and there is that whole no 6 vs no 5 thing where no 5 is all nurturing and no 6 is all boyish and so on.

Thanks Notnowbernard (great book by the way). Auntie Mabel does fly her own plane but she is still a bit of a granny type figure - i think my dd is more impressed by Pippen.

I've been trying to think of someone and I just can't come up with any. Grr. Upsy Daisy? She's quite assertive with Iggle Piggle...

Aren't there some female power rangers, or am i making that up?
Powerpuff Girls are superheroes aren't they?

I think the point of kids tv is that the characters have to represent what is generally accepted to be positive, thoughtful, caring and considerate. Stories and themes have to have a strong moral thread and all turn out ok in the end.

And tbh most male 'superheroes' little boys i've met aspire to be are the Power Rangers...cue much limb-flailing etc.

The little girls i know do want to be Stephanie/Fizz/Lola etc

(I am pleased Not Now Bernard is dd1's fave book at the moment, though!)

Powerpuff Girls

When you think about it most of the female "role models" on cbeebies do tend to have brains even though they are not superheros. Maybe its the boys we should be worrying about - the influence of the power rangers etc.. rather than Nina could be why boys are falling so far behind girls in exam results. (I could be reading too much into this)
Still think we are lacking in strong leading women in childrens TV rather than bosy motherly figures like Upsy Daisy.

sp bossy

I'm sorry but it seems Bratz and This Is Me dolls are the role models for our little girls, and Barbie of course. Pukes