Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Children’s media use cuddly animals to reinforce racist and socially dominant norms, researcher says
(Canada) National Post ^ | June 13, 2013 | Sarah Boesveld

Posted on 06/13/2013 12:36:40 PM PDT by Zakeet

Parents who read their kids stories about happy, human-like animals like Franklin the Turtle or Arthur at bedtime are exposing their kids to racism, materialism, homophobia and patriarchal norms, according to a paper presented at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Most animals portrayed in children’s books, songs and on clothing send a bad message, according to academics Nora Timmerman and Julia Ostertag: That animals only exist for human use, that humans are better than animals, that animals don’t have their own stories to tell, that it’s fine to “demean” them by cooing over their cuteness. Perhaps worst of all, they say, animals are anthropomorphized to reinforce “socially dominant norms” like nuclear families and gender stereotypes.

[Snip]

Authors are often trying to convey good social values in children’s books with animal characters, whether it be acceptance or generosity or inclusivity. But Ms. Timmerman wishes these authors would acknowledge that “animals themselves may have lessons to teach us.” For example, bees buzzing around a hive or ants in an ant farm can teach the importance of community and teamwork without having to be anthropomorphized, she said.

“Billy the Bee doesn’t necessarily project any kind of cultural bias unless we ignore, for example, that worker ants are mostly females and we call them male because we tend to think of workers as male,” she said.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.nationalpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 5150; bedlam; bonkers; children; lhudesingcuccu; liberalism; morethorazineplease; racism; research; spotthelooney
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

... living proof that when spring comes,
the sap runs in all green things!

You Freepers had better be careful what you say on this thread ... cause this Libtard is ready to report people like you to Children's Protective Services for doing evil-wicked things like reading morally uplifting books to your children and grandchildren!

1 posted on 06/13/2013 12:36:40 PM PDT by Zakeet
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

These people redefine “absurd”.


2 posted on 06/13/2013 12:37:55 PM PDT by kjo (+)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Right out of Mao Zedong’s “The Thoughts of Chairman Mao”, the definitive tome of Cultural Revolution where the term “Political Correctness” was coined.


3 posted on 06/13/2013 12:41:28 PM PDT by Westbrook (Children do not divide your love, they multiply it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

I am speechless.


4 posted on 06/13/2013 12:44:23 PM PDT by TurkeyLurkey
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Obviously a vegetarian. you know, they really do believe all that stuff about the USA being institutionally racist. For a while it was just funny, but now, under the chief marxist, they are being taken seriously.


5 posted on 06/13/2013 12:44:41 PM PDT by I want the USA back (If I Pi$$ed off just one liberal today my mission has been accomplished.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

I usually dont attack ones looks but man that ugly stick was swinging for the fence’s the day she was born


6 posted on 06/13/2013 12:44:52 PM PDT by al baby (Hi Mom)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Three things:
1. She needs to wash her hair.
2. She needs to wash her hair.
3. Momma needed to smack her bottom years ago.


7 posted on 06/13/2013 12:45:47 PM PDT by MWestMom (Psalms 109:8)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Before they are done, they will have destroyed ALL innocence and everything that was good in this once great country


8 posted on 06/13/2013 12:46:41 PM PDT by originalbuckeye (Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Isn’t this PC moron actually discriminating against Furries?????


9 posted on 06/13/2013 12:47:25 PM PDT by GraceG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Wow, she looks like a Helean Thomas clone someone took a belt sander to....


10 posted on 06/13/2013 12:48:17 PM PDT by GraceG
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Just to let you know, sex segregated public toilets are the next evil bastion of oppression to be overcome:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3030447/posts


11 posted on 06/13/2013 12:49:24 PM PDT by mojito (Zero, our Nero.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet
...that animals don’t have their own stories to tell, that it’s fine to “demean” them by cooing over their cuteness.

Saturday morning kiddie shows & PBS as well should just show cartoon animals, killing, eating, mating, defecating and sleeping because that is all animals do. Animals are not liberal and they do not want to save the planet they live by the law of fang and claw.

12 posted on 06/13/2013 12:49:28 PM PDT by Mike Darancette (Plan "B" is now Plan "A")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Geez, what would this person think of “Wind in the Willows” I wonder?

Not that I care.

It stinks on ice that tax dollars probably paid for this pile.


13 posted on 06/13/2013 12:51:42 PM PDT by Little Ray (How did I end up in this hand-basket, and why is it gettingthe so hot?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Until people start mocking these idiots publicly and often, nothing changes.


14 posted on 06/13/2013 12:52:46 PM PDT by Norm Lenhart
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Advancements in tech have created way too much free time.


15 posted on 06/13/2013 12:55:34 PM PDT by Gene Eric (Don't be a statist!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

Boney, stringy hair, bug-eyed, probably hair armpits and legs. The woman looks exactly as I would have pictured her.


16 posted on 06/13/2013 12:57:38 PM PDT by PlanToDisappear
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet
Perhaps worst of all, they say, animals are anthropomorphized to reinforce “socially dominant norms” like nuclear families and gender stereotypes.

Horrors!!!

17 posted on 06/13/2013 12:59:26 PM PDT by Nea Wood (When life gets too hard to stand, kneel.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qkuu0Lwb5EM ~


18 posted on 06/13/2013 12:59:53 PM PDT by muawiyah (Git yer Red STATE Arm Bands here - $29.95 - NOT SOLD IN STORES - TAX FREE)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Nea Wood

Well ....In the words of Bugs Bunny : “WHAT A MOROOON” !


19 posted on 06/13/2013 1:03:13 PM PDT by Col Frank Slade
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]

To: Zakeet

The lib social scientists are experts at propaganda and brainwashing. Did she list all the books she is against so that I can buy them now for my unborn grandchildren?


20 posted on 06/13/2013 1:05:21 PM PDT by huldah1776
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-49 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson