Controversial: Sexism In MLP

[Clover Heart 978]

We see plenty of female characters working, I think. Applejack works on the farm, Pinkie Pie has a job at Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow Dash appears to work at a weather factory in Cloudsdale, Fluttershy is an animal caretaker, and Rarity owns her own business. These characters are all hard-working, independent women, and are great role models for it.

When I say work, I mean physical labor. And yes, I'd consider RD and AJ to be a part of that. I'm thinking more when we see the society as a whole. It's generally the male ponies that pull the trains and the cabs and things like that.

[Dark Heart 284]

IMO i think when you say that you are thinking of getting away from the brony fandom altogether kinda goes against of what it means to be a brony to begin whit.

 

If you think that there is sexism in the show and male portrayed as nothing more than mule for hard labor, i think you miss the whole point of what the show focus on, just like powerpuff girls or sailor moon, or any other female focus show the focus is the female characters first and foremost.

 

In "Rarity Takes Manehattan" there is plenty of male characters portrayed and yes they mostly due manual work, but honestly who else can do these type of labors, can fluttershy pull a cart full of ponies? no, but we dont just see male chars pulling females, but also some newspaper related, and even some shady investigators which we would see in a big city such as new york or los angeles.

 

Not putting down female when it comes to physical stuff but males have the built to do heavy stuff, but this concern to labor mainly.

 

As for social we've clearly seen that most male characters in higher social status are more business like such as we are in the real world, henceforth they do what rich people do, go to an evil meetings to figured how to conquer the world or some random BS to make more money xD

 

And even if it was sexist (which is not) who the hell cares, i like the show for the concept of adventure and slice of life, if i wanted to get my male hormones rave up i would watch the Expendables and get myself pump for explosions and kick assery, or watch some 30 episodes of extreme yelling in DBZ or epicness from gurren lagan etc etc.

 

Which btw there is barely any females in them and when they are, there the damsels on distress isnt that sexist by you're terms? just Saiyan.... :comeatus:

[Krosp I 114]

I scent an MRA in our midst. If this show is sexist then I'm not an asshole.

[Hansel 1,512]

Although it would be cool to see more of a balance between the two sex's, I don't really have that much of an issue for same reasons I don't really have much of an issue when a show has more guys than girls.

 

However, I do have an issue with the argument "it's aimed for girls therefore it's okay". It's a silly argument and when it's used to justify why some shows have more males than females, it rightfully gets slated as a bad argument. 

 

So what if a show is aimed at a specific gender? That's hardly an argument, you're just telling one gender what they can and can't relate to and it's stupid. Just because I'm a guy, it doesn't mean I can't relate to or like female characters, and the same is true for female audiences and male characters. 

Edited January 12, 2014 by Hansel

[Vixor 80]

Just going to echo what others have said in this thread already; it's a cartoon for little girls. However, I would like to add...

 

One of the chief purposes of this cartoon was to brush aside the notion of gender superiority, and that means that there should be no sexism whatsoever in the cartoon itself or the fictional world it's portraying. I think people are looking for problems where they don't exist, because I see people come up with all sorts of grim/negative theories that they claim is true or at least likely to be true every day. Overanalyzing is fun, but doing it and then making absurd claims about the canon with whatever you dig up is a no-no.

Edited January 12, 2014 by Vixor

[Guest90210 3,569]

The males in MLP are generally portrayed as mindless work-horses who serve no purpose other than to perform manual labor. There are many instances of the males being shown as "inferior". As an example we see the "nerdy girl" of the show (Twist) portrayed as a character the audience is supposed to like while the "nerdy male" is shown as a laughable push over who is used by Rarity in Putting Your Hoof Down. Also notice how there are no male members of the mane 6?

 

Is this sexism? Eh, probably not. It's a show for young girls. You're going to expect females to be prevalent and to be the main focus.

Edited January 12, 2014 by Rivendare

[Moonlight 7,288]

I fail to see the problem here. The show is, and will always be catered towards little girls, so it makes more sense that there would be more female characters than male. It's usually a male-centered world out there so it's nice to see more female role models that aren't there for eye candy and actually have personality and strength. 

[Guest90210 3,569]

We see plenty of female characters working, I think. Applejack works on the farm, Pinkie Pie has a job at Sugarcube Corner, Rainbow Dash appears to work at a weather factory in Cloudsdale, Fluttershy is an animal caretaker, and Rarity owns her own business. These characters are all hard-working, independent women, and are great role models for it.

 

Except this isn't all they do. They also save the world from utter destruction over and over again.

[Sunbro 4 Lyfe 939]

 

 

boy's are potrayed as slaves in the show

'scuse me?

How? where did this theory come from?

Like yeah so it's probably a ratio of 50'000 mares to 1 stallion but for realz; where did slavery come from?! 

[Dr. Mechano 630]

The males in MLP are generally portrayed as mindless work-horses who serve no purpose other than to perform manual labor. There are many instances of the males being shown as "inferior". As an example we see the "nerdy girl" of the show (Twist) portrayed as a character the audience is supposed to like while the "nerdy male" is shown as a laughable push over who is used by Rarity in Putting Your Hoof Down. Also notice how there are no male members of the mane 6?

Actually, Poindexter (the nerdy guy from Putting Your Hoof Down) is one of Shining Armor's old highschool buddies, and is partially responsible for helping him and Cadence becoming a couple. He gets an expanded role in the IDW comics, issues 11 and 12, "neigh anything." So, ol' Poindexter's been more than redeemed by the narrative, I should say.

 

As for "mindless work-horses," let me correct that statement with the following list:

 

Big Macintosh - Yes, he works manual labor on the farm, but also seems to run the farm alongside Applejack.

Carrot Cake - A business owner (along with his wife) of Sugarcube Corner.

Chief Thunderhooves - Respected leader of the Buffalo tribe

Donut Joe - Chef and owner of his own donut shop in Canterlot.

Fancy Pants - Wealthy socialite from Canterlot.

Filthy Rich - Wealthy owner of Barnyard Bargains.

Flim and Flam - Successful (if dishonest) businessmen.

Gustav le Grande - Chef from the Griffon Kingdom

Hoity Toity - Bigwig fashion critic from Canterlot.

Iron Will - Successful (and according to Rarity, rich) seminar speaker.

Prince Blueblood - High-ranking Canterlot royalty.

Sheriff Silver Star - In charge of law enforcement in Appleloosa

Shining Armor - Prince and co-ruler of the Crystal Empire.

Soarin - Member of the Wonderbolts.

Spike - Twilight's number-one assistant. He may get saddled with too much work at times, but he's appreciated and framed positively in the narrative.

 

There are other examples too, like the unnamed male fashion designer from Rarity Takes Manehattan, or all the businessmen or well-dressed high society ponies we often see in Canterlot and Manehattan. 

 

My Little Pony has no shortage of diverse career choices for men and women, as I hope my list has demonstrated.

[Anadu Kune 668]

 What? Males portrayed as slaves? When? Fancy Pants was a slave? Hoity Toity was a slave? Shining Armor was a slave? Soarin was a slave? The guards are slaves? The only time that I can think of that anyone was portrayed as a slave in the show was the flashback to King Sombras' reign. The male characters seem fine to me, They just don't play as much of a role.

Its a damned welcome change to have the bulk of the show dominated by strong female protagonists, in contrast to the normal morons we get with a typical all female cast.

MLP Tales did it right? What? Ok no...just....no. MLP Tales didn't do it right, not in the least. The males were for the most part portrayed to be horrible and mean spirited. They were both the antagonists and the love interests of the show...yeah no problem there. One of the main boy characters Teddy consistently demonstrates his devious nature usually doing one thing good worth mentioning, and that one good thing is enough to have the girl fawn over him. Even a song dedicated to how he was good inside mainly showed his mean spirited antics. The girls mainly lusting after the male ponies. In the few episodes I have managed to see I have seen very dubious morals, very poorly written characters, and bland animation and style. If you like MLP Tales then that's fine, but I think you are going to have a really hard time presenting an argument that it portrays either gender in a way that could be considered right.

[MarineMarksman 73]

Why is it that boy's are potrayed as slaves in the show? Why is it that the majority of ponyville is women? If so how do the pony's reproduce?

 

I find this as an issue in the show really, It would be good for both the community and the show if a gender equality was made so it portrays both the genders in the right way. So why does it keep on doing this? For a more bigger female fanbase?

 

MLP Tales did it right, So why not here? I feel like this is what is blocking me for becoming a true brony but the more it insults the male gender, the more I hate the show and the more of the feeling I want to forget about it and get away from the brony culture all together...

I don't know why there is a surprising lack of males in Ponyville when it's evened out in other areas, but there is no sexism in the show. Just because there isn't a bunch of male characters doesn't mean the show is sexist.

 

Also, do you even know what a slave is? I can tell you right now, the males in Friendship is Magic aren't freaking slaves.

 

This is just as bad as some of the stuff feminists whine about, just not as annoying.

[Castle Bleck 19,387]

1. Targeted audience.

2. Shining Armor, Fancy Pants, Filthy Rich, etc.

3. For all we know, they may just "reproduce" via stork.

 

P.S.,

I've always believed the female-male ratio is just 51%-49%. Not exactly a population crisis...

Edited January 14, 2014 by Anti-Villain

[Motion Spark 7,807]

I think that 'sexism' is implicit in these kind of shows since bronies shouldn't even exist because this show isn't targeted for males, let alone OLDER males.

Stallions are not slaves at all, even tho I complain a little about them not being as capable as females, it makes sense based on the demographic of Ponyville for example.

This show has pretty strong female figures (mane6) that EVERYBODY can relate to, something never done before with previous cartoons for little girls. If you guys don't believe try watching mlp g3, you won't see a single guy there and you wouldn't last much anyways, it's WAY TOO girly and ridiculous.

[hawkflame 3,310]

MLP Tales did it right, So why not here? I feel like this is what is blocking me for becoming a true brony but the more it insults the male gender, the more I hate the show and the more of the feeling I want to forget about it and get away from the brony culture all together...

MLP Tales had all of the guys into assholes and the girls into idiots for lusting after assholes. That's not the model to compare to.

 

If you think MLP has an issue with sexism, take a look at something called the Bechdel Test. It's where you find a work of fiction that 1) has at least two female characters, 2) that have at least *one single* conversation 3) about something other than a guy or men in general.

 

You'd be surprised as to how few work pass this test. Even most tv series don't pass this on an episode by episode basis. On the other hand, the vast majority of fictional works have the opposite- men talking with other men about something other than a woman.

 

MLP FIM however, bucks this trend *spectacularly*. It's one of the rare works that passes the Bechdel Test in Every. Single. Episode. So I wouldn't ask for more gender balance in the *one* popular show that's female dominated when numerous other male dominated shows are left alone. And having shows skewed towards a particular gender isn't a problem by itself- we shouldn't force a show to be 50-50 if it doesn't happen naturally. But when so many shows are skewed in one particular way, that can be a problem.

 

I'm not going to complain that Transformers should have more female characters, and I'm not going to do the reverse for MLP.

[WhiteGuardian 168]

Why is it that boy's are potrayed as slaves in the show? Why is it that the majority of ponyville is women? If so how do the pony's reproduce?

 

I find this as an issue in the show really, It would be good for both the community and the show if a gender equality was made so it portrays both the genders in the right way. So why does it keep on doing this? For a more bigger female fanbase?

 

MLP Tales did it right, So why not here? I feel like this is what is blocking me for becoming a true brony but the more it insults the male gender, the more I hate the show and the more of the feeling I want to forget about it and get away from the brony culture all together...

I can actually see where your coming from. I tried getting my one friend into the series. We got through all the episodes and he refused to be a fan saying that the show was sexist. I asked how and brought up quotes like Hayseed Turnuptruck. And when Rarity persaudes her neighbors to pull their carriage. And of course everypony's favorite snips and snails. He said the show made uys seem downright dumb. My counterargument however was that the show plays on the stereotypes of both sexes to elicit humor. And they dont do it in a cruel way I dont think. Edited January 13, 2014 by WhiteGuardian

[Orablanco Account 3,707]

Why is it that boy's are potrayed as slaves in the show?

 

Wait, what? When? Where? Who? How? What episode? You mean Spike? He's doing that of his own free will.

 

So, what, a show initially targeted towards a female audience is horrible because it doesn't go out of its way to say "boyz r pretty kewl too" every so often? It isn't saying anything about one gender being better than the other; most of the cast just so happen to lack a Y chromosome.

 

Tales has never "done it right". Ever.

Edited January 13, 2014 by CITRUS KING46

[Emperor Posh 360]

It's a show for little girls. Who better for little girls to relate to than girls. I honestly don't care that the shows characters are mostly girls, it's a cartoon.... We are just a byproduct. 

Edited January 13, 2014 by Emperor Posh

[Cstriker 737]

I find the topic irrelevant.

1) Dashie broke her wing and got addicted to reading Daring Do...Male Doctor with Female nurse.
2) BIG MAC! Quite, industrious, and insightful
3) Featheweight runs the Foal Free Press now. Defeated the Fashonista B***ch Diamond Tiara
4) STEROID PONY FTW (not sexist, more for comedy)
5) Soarin of the Wonderbolts, one of the best fliers in equestria


6) Spike: Baby dragon assistant raised by a motherly figure
7) Discord: Villian turned Reformed remembering that once he had friendship, it was worth keeping!

 

 

8) Flash Sentry: Nothing wrong with a possible love interest
9) Dr. Hooves: THE DOCTOR!!!
10) Hoity Toity! The fashinonista of all Fasion!
11) Grumpy Doodle: A hopeless romantic who looses his way My fav:

12) Fancy Pants: A gentleman and a Scholar. Despite his trappings, he is not the socialite parasite that his followers are and he find the good in everyone, even loved Rarities have baked dress! He was a lot like Rarity. Despite the aire of sophistication, he is not the snob that such shows paint a rich person as. He is charming, a good listener, opimistic, and a snazzy dresser. I disagree, for a Girls Show...Male representation is not negative, it runs the gambit from cute, hardworking, evil, nice, caring, professional, mysterious, to scholarly.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Cstriker

[Sunbro 4 Lyfe 939]

 

 

It's a show for little girls.

OK this has been irritating me. Every-ones primary argument is "it's for little girls" or "the target audience if for younger children."

Like are we still in a world where we have to make our girl shows all girls so they can relate?

I mean the show isn't exactly sexist but there could still be more male character with more than 1 line per episode.

[Emperor Posh 360]

OK this has been irritating me. Every-ones primary argument is "it's for little girls" or "the target audience if for younger children."

Like are we still in a world where we have to make our girl shows all girls so they can relate?

I mean the show isn't exactly sexist but there could still be more male character with more than 1 line per episode.

Don't argue with me!!!..... no really I haven't really slept in like 3 days. =P

It is a show for girls, and that is who Hasbro is marketing to, not older men. Anyways the show is so popular because of the way it is now, changing it would probably ruin it for a lot of people.

Edited January 13, 2014 by Emperor Posh

[littlemissstrange 7]

I definitely understand your point of view here. At the same time with all the shows that have been portrayed in the past decade/ century look at how women were portrayed? Females were portrayed as objects, any lead role that was given to a female is was because of her sexuality, not because of the her qualifications, brains, or experiences.

Most shows nowadays are geared towards males. To have a show that finally puts females in a position where they can show leadership and friendship without having to be catty or rude or mean with each others is a great thing. 

Becoming a Brony for the show is to support the equality of woman portrayal in our entertainment industry. The underestimation of males in the show is just because it is a kids show geared towards female girls in order to teach about friendship and coping skills.

I don't think many males know this but being a girl can be hard and with horrible movies like "Mean Girls" that encourage the opposite of friendship, empathy and understanding, My little pony I think shows and enforces those friendly characteristics that should be inherent within  each and everyone in order to create successful friendships.

Men, especially when older don't seem to have this same problem, they seem to agree to disagree and don't use cattiness, or mean pranks, or hurtful words to show popularity. Women do and always do, I think this show was geared towards ending that negatively competitive behavior between women.

[Sunbro 4 Lyfe 939]

Don't argue with me!!!..... no really I haven't really slept in like 3 days. =P

It is a show for girls, and that is who Hasbro is marketing to, not older men. Anyways the show is so popular because of the way it is now, changing it would probably ruin it for a lot of people.

Exactly! Because of modern day expectations we just go "oh it's pink! Obviously we can't have a male character here! we'll just have them in the background!"

I'm just saying that even though a show is for girls, or for boys or whatever, doesn't mean you should have the entire cast be the gender the show relates to.

And spike.

[Thrashy 2,800]

I don't see where you're getting "slavery". If you're talking about instances of stallions being portrayed as taxi drivers/train locomotors/field workers/construction workers etc., I'd have to say that's just a reflection of real-life society; females tend not to be quite as burly as males, so most job positions requiring back-breaking manual labor will typically be filled by males. There are some exceptions to this, such as Applejack being more than a match for almost any stallion, but I'd say the way pony society operates is pretty parallel to our own...you know, without all the blind hatred, bigotry, and killing for one's ideals.

 

But while I do get people's "target audience" argument, I don't necessarily agree with it as a justification for glossing over/outright omitting male characters' development. Keep in mind that Faust et al. have continuously claimed the show to be written to appeal beyond the superficial demographic of young girls, and if this is truly the case, I don't see how it'd be asking too much to spend at least a handful of episodes fleshing out characters like Big Mac or Shining. And because I can already hear you guys typing this counterpoint, let me just cut you off and say that I do get that this show's been groundbreaking for providing 3-dimensional female characters to whom males can easily relate, but that in no way means that having a little bit of focus on the stallion folk every now and then will necessarily detract from what made the show great to begin with.

[VeroxVitrus 71]

I don't know about other people but I really do think the show has alot to do with the male stereotyping. That big muscle horse for example, He's your average male showoff who has big mucles. Spike, Look closely and the show is picturing him as a doormat to twilight (I REALLY want an episode where spike realizes this and takes control of his life himself).

 

 

I am not accsuing the show of being sexist, Just nitpicking at it a little. I love the show like a brony but I pick at it like an Anti-Brony