The only MLP Stereotype that bothers me?

[ScarfaceOne 263]

I Thought MLP Was a show that got rid of stereotypes? If so, then why is Applejack's family so large? I have talked about this before and i can CONFIRM it is not incest. But this stereotype, it is kind of racist and offensive. Why do they have this big southern family stereotype and where are the other examples? Apart from PLANKTON IN SPONGEBOB and TREVOR IN GTA. it is disgusting and offensive.

 

 

Capitals mean that you should focus on these bits.

Edited December 31, 2013 by polybius81

[duidamasterXD 9,627]

What's exactly offensive about it? Family is a big part of Applejack's life and her family has been shown to be largely responsible for apple production in Equestria. On my dad's side of the family, they were farmers for generations and I have around a bazillion cousins scattered across the Southwest. It's not unrealistic for Applejack to have a big family.

 

I just don't understand how this impacts the show in a negative way. Apple Family Reunion was a great episode that wouldn't have been possible without it, and it's hardly a factor otherwise unless it's giving them an excuse to go somewhere. Unless I'm forgetting something, I don't think anything about AJ's family has been portrayed offensively.

[An Old Head 4,816]

This thread appears to be discussing MLP:FiM in some way, shape or form. Thus, it has been sentenced to Show Discussion.

 

This is an automatically generated message, by the way.

[Shanks 10,816]

Obviously the Apple Family likes to buck more than just apples if you know what I mean (not that there is anything wrong with that), seriously though you have to remember that Ma and Pa Apple only had 3 kids which if you consider the stereotype is really not that much though there are apple family members that probably have more kids than that. The reason why farming families have a lot of kids is because having a lot of kids is advantageous because you get more help to keep the farm running, this combined with the fact that the Apple Family places a high importance on family means that they just so happen to have a lot babies. I fail to see how this is such an offensive stereotype, with the way you talk about the Apple Family you would think they had 15 kids on welfare and were dealing heroine on the side or something.

[Clarity 3,094]

 

 

But this stereotype, it is kind of racist and offensive. Why do they have this big southern family stereotype

*epic facepalm* 

 

That'd be like saying there are pony stereotypes because ponies exist in the show.

[Scootalove 10,689]

Having a huge family isn't a stereotype at all. Apple Family Reunion is an example of how having a big family can actually benefit you and your relatives, when it comes to keeping the farm running, a high importance on what family means to them, also AJ's family can't be portrayed as being offensive if there is nothing offensive about them.

[~Silver Essence~ 2,625]

Offensive? 

 

Unless it goes beyond the messed up stereotypes like family members sleeping with each other or talk beyond the cliched dialogue, it's not offensive, it's more of the ordinary life style is all.

[Moonlight 7,290]

How the hell is having a large family considered offensive or disgusting? There doesn't seem to be a single problem with the Apple Family, no incest, no extreme stereotypes, just a big happy family to me. 

[Thrashy 2,800]

Racist? That mystifies me. Are southern folk their own race now?

[Metemponychosis 1,262]

Beyond what people have already pointed out here, it seems that ponies live long lives, so a huge family is not really an issue IMO. No to mention, AJ's family seems to be a bit old.

[deadprofile 1,123]

It is highly implied that the other Mane 5 have families as well, but Applejack's focus of character is not honesty, but family. That's why it's such a big part of her and her character dynamic. As far as I know, southern families are known stereotypically to have cousins and siblings being married to eachother, not having large families.  As far as stereotypes go in American culture, a large family is more equated with mennonites and amish, and farming families. What are the Apples? Farmers! This is not a stereotype that is negative nor demeaning in any way.  It's a practical solution to many problems that family farmers face (I am not talking about mega farmers, because they are not real farmers). If anyone here knows what FAMILY farming entails, there is nothing wrong with large families becuase it not only provides more hands for work, but better stability financially and generationally in keeping a family farm running. 

As far as FIM goes, it's not like Applejack is the ONLY one with a family, all the other ponies have families, and next to Applejack, Rarity is the next pony to have some family influence on the show with Sweetie Belle and Rarity's own desire to follow a different path from her parents. Twilight Sparkle not only has a brother, but a supportive family back in Canterlot.  Pinkie Pie is in the same boat as Rarity, forging a different path from her family that may or may not be supportive.  In her case, it seems she has the problem OPPOSITE of Applejack, an unsupportive, disowning family who cannot handle Pinkie's change of lifestyle. But that's purely my assertation on what the show has presented thus far. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy's families are too ambigious in the show to really say anything about them (yet).

FIM is presenting all the Mane 6 in a way that diversifies them all the way down to family dynamics.  None of the Mane 6 come from similar family lifestyles (yet), and personally with AJ's case, she is showing that families are just as important as friends, even when you're "grown up." To still be that connected with her family is not something most young adults IRL can vouch.  For those in college, many go home for holidays and still depend on their families to some financial degree, but overall most young adults CAN'T WAIT to get out of their home and live independant of their families (like Rarity and the other Mane 4).  For Applejack to have taken on the reigns (pardon the pun) of her family's farm and lifestyle as well as being a secondary mother-like figure for Apple Bloom just SHOWS how mature and down to earth (pardon pun again) this pony really is. And that is not stereotypical in any way.

[Dark Qiviut 22,582]

The Apple family is large and proud, and they take the "family" aspect very seriously. One of Applejack's most important components of her life is her serious she views her family. There are so many families, particularly in the South, where families are large, long, and proud. There really isn't anything offensive about it. If anything, the large family concept respects the Southern tradition.

Edited December 31, 2013 by Dark Qiviut

[packmule1123 55]

I come from a decent sized family. If AJ's mom and dad only had three foals then what's the problem? How is it racist or offensive? 

 

BEWARE OF THE RACE: DECENT SIZED FAMILY. 

[FNGRpony 658]

Yeah i'm not gonna love and tolerate this nonsense LOL.

 

Okay if i were to troll people by telling them they had a big family they'd look at me funny.

I understand what your going on about,

 

but your choosing to have a problem about something cause you put way to much thought into it.

 

you big familied southern you ^^.  

and.. your... um....um......

 

see I can't even chain it with anything.

 

Maybe if i worked in the hatfields and mc coys some how.... naw its to comlicated, the audience is already bored.

 

 

hay changelings have a giant family,

i suppose i should be offended?  LOL

Edited January 1, 2014 by FNGRpony

[Mlpfan185 1,763]

Something was here. Something was here. Something was here. 

Edited October 10, 2018 by NONAME

[Tigerpop198 696]

Well, I don't think that's offensive. She has a large family, no difference to any other family.

[Riddle 102]

I come from a large family in ways in both farming

and such and there was no inner breeding and such but

maybe if you think,  if ponies get married they could take

the last names of their somepony and I don't think

the Apple family is the only earth pony well to even grow

apples and such.  Which is also common for farm families to

have a lot kids to help out around the farm also that is 

the normal!

[Super Derpy 535]

Nothing offensive about it. One of the big things Applejack cares about is family and who cares if she has a large family, my dads side of the family is HUGE. It's not a stereotype she just happens to live in a large family.

[pinkiefan1287 610]

How is having a big family offensive?

 

There are plenty of people with big families in real life and in animated show's that have big families.

 

Have you ever seen the movie Summer Wars?

 

 

This movie has a big family in it. Ok, it's not as huge as AJ's family and they aren't southern, but the movie still tell's the importance of family. So there is nothing wrong with big families.

[Sugar Cube 4,843]

So THIS is the only stereotype in the show that bothers you? Applejack having having a large family?...

 

I can understand not liking potentially offensive stereotypes, but there is nothing offensive about the Apple Family being large. One thing to bear in mind is that Applejack and her family are very traditional and thus they are likely more accustomed to having larger families than average and this emphasis on family is one of the many aspects that sets Applejack and her folks apart from other characters. For all we know, the other five could have large families as well, but but we're less likely to see them because the image of family is most closely associated with Applejack because it's more important to her. As DQ said, the show respects Southern traditions. It doesn't denigrate them.

 

And for the love of all that is holy, please refrain from comparing Grand Theft Auto and SpongeBob SquarePants to the Apple Family or MLP in general. They have nothing to do with each other.

[ScarfaceOne 263]

Oh dear, i think that applejacks values on family has some... unfortunate implications!

[Grumpy Enchantress 587]

How is that offensive then? Having a big family isn't a negative thing.

Edited January 2, 2014 by Sky Chaser

[Empress Pinkamena 41]

You do realize southerners aren't a race, right?

[Malinter 3,064]

well, Pinkie Pie is also from a farming family and she had 2 sisters.

[ghostfacekiller39 23,860]

I'm from Texas, which is as hick and redneck as it comes, and I don't find anything about Applejack stereotypical or offensive in the slightest

 

I mean, hell, her voice isn't even a stereotype, we all talk like that, and, down hurr, we all have big families that we associate with quite often, believe or not. We don't all live together, but we're all extremely loyal and knowing of who our family is and who they aren't. Family is a huge part of life down here.

 

Sure, it seems stereotypical, because it kind of is, and sort of overdone for the cartoon element, but it isn't offensive or false in the slightest. Kinda close, actually.