THE POPULAR children’s television programmes Peppa Pig and Fireman Sam have been branded sexist in a fiery online debate.
It all started when the London Fire Brigade took to Twitter to criticise the use of the term “fireman” rather than “firefighter” in an episode of Peppa Pig.
“Come on @peppapig, we’ve not been firemen for 30 years,” they wrote.
“You have a huge influence on kids & using out of date stereotypical gender specific wording prevents young girls from becoming firefighters. Join our #Firefightingsexism campaign.”
Come on @peppapig, we’ve not been firemen for 30 years. You have a huge influence on kids & using out of date stereotypical gender specific wording prevents young girls from becoming firefighters. Join our #Firefightingsexism campaign https://t.co/IRjLtqolEl
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) March 17, 2019
The debate escalated further on Twitter when presenter Piers Morgan responded to criticism from Senior fire officer Alex Johnson who argued in an article for The Telegraph that Fireman Sam is putting women off joining the fire service because “most of the job is nothing like it is portrayed”.
She believes the animated firefighting character and show's images of men rushing into burning buildings do little to encourage gender equality.
Tweeting in response to the article, Morgan said: “If women are being 'put off' joining the fire service because Fireman Sam – A CARTOON CHARACTER – supposedly 'perpetuates male stereotypes' then can I politely suggest these women probably don't have what it takes to fight fires."
If women are being 'put off' joining the fire service because Fireman Sam - A CARTOON CHARACTER - supposedly 'perpetuates male stereotypes' then can I politely suggest these women probably don't have what it takes to fight fires. pic.twitter.com/YEZXZtDQ0J
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) March 18, 2019
Keen to support Johnson as part of their #FirefightingSexism campaign, the London Fire Brigade responded that young girls "think they can't be firefighters because children's TV continues to use outdated language".
"If you respect our work, then get our name right," the brigade tweeted.
It's young girls, like Esme, who think they can't be firefighters because children's TV continues to use outdated language https://t.co/xGqNJnZn0T. If you respect our work, then get our name right #FirefightingSexism https://t.co/AsLJBJGtPf
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) March 18, 2019
The back and forth took a fresh twist when one Twitter user highlighted that Fireman Sam featured a character called Firefighter Penny Morris.
The London Fire Brigade, however, argued her involvement is "completely devalued" by the show's “outdated” name.
"Sadly Penny's involvement in the show is completely devalued by the constant use of the outdated term fireman in the catchy theme tune, title and on all merchandise," the fire brigade tweeted.
"Language matters."
Sadly Penny’s involvement in the show is completely devalued by the constant use of the outdated term fireman in the catchy theme tune, title and on all merchandise. Language matters #FirefightingSexism https://t.co/ZC55Ujq0FX
— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) March 18, 2019
Morgan continued the debate on Good Morning Britain where, at one point, he sarcastically asked: "Postman Pat – he can't be a postman any more. What is he, a postperson? Postperson Patricia?"
The debate has sparked strong comments on both sides of the argument.
Premier League footballer Charlie Austin was among those to come out in support of Morgan’s stance.
“This programme is not sexist... it’s Fireman Sam next we will be talking about postman pat and bob the builder these people are ridiculous,” he tweeted.
This programme is not sexist... it’s Fireman Sam next we will be talking about postman pat and bob the builder😂😂 these people are ridiculous @GMB @piersmorgan pic.twitter.com/QP4Dn29ePR
— Charlie Austin (@chazaustin10) March 19, 2019
Journalist Anita Singh, by contrast, highlighted a concerning trend.
“You can laugh at this all you want but in Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, even Paw Patrol, the female characters are sidekicks,” she wrote. “And it's really f**king annoying.”
You can laugh at this all you want but in Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, even Paw Patrol, the female characters are sidekicks. And it's really fucking annoying https://t.co/7ErxufZB9f
— Anita Singh (@anitathetweeter) March 19, 2019
Unison National Executive Council member Tony Green added: “It’s about letting young girls, like my daughter, who watches popular kids shows, that female fire fighters exists and it’s ok for her to be one if she wants.”
Celebrity Big Brother star Casey Batchelor was among those to criticise the debate, tweeting:
“What am I watching here on @GMB ‘Fireman Sam is sexist’ ???? Really! This is all becoming so ridiculous??!! It’s a cartoon character! Just let it be!”
What am I watching here on @GMB ‘Fireman Sam is sexist’ ???? Really! This is all becoming so ridiculous??!! It’s a cartoon character! Just let it be!🤦🏻♀️
— Casey Batchelor (@CaseyBatchelor) March 19, 2019
West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue firefighter Dave Walton, by contrasted, admitted he "fundamentally disagrees" with Morgan’s stance and argued he was fundamentally missing the point.
“The show is aimed at CHILDREN, specifically at a time of life when they are clearly influenced by what they see on TV,” he tweeted.
“That’s where we can make a difference for the future.”
Whilst I fundamentally disagree with your point @piersmorgan , I also think that you are MISSING the point. The show is aimed at CHILDREN, specifically at a time of life when they are clearly influenced by what they see on TV. That’s where we can make a difference for the future https://t.co/riSE3GyM00
— Dave Walton (@WYFRSDaveWalton) March 18, 2019
A great many people also appeared genuinely baffled by the entire online debate.
*Looks at trends for today, sees that Fireman Sam is trending*
*Clicks to see what's happening*
Maybe they're stopping producing it?
Maybe there's a kid's movie or something?
"Fireman Sam is sexist"
Done. pic.twitter.com/mjKnqz0soL— Liam (@LMcVann44) March 19, 2019
Everything that is wrong in this world summed up in a picture.
Fireman sam is apparently sexist folks.#worldgonemad #offendedbyeverythinggeneration pic.twitter.com/UMsOzV57c2— Pedro McSherry (@mcsherrypedro) March 19, 2019
Fireman Sam isn't confused about his sexuality. Sam is a man. So he is called Fireman Sam. STOP MAKING ISSUES OUT OF NOTHING. Ffs. 🤦🏼♀️
— JJ (@jakijellz) March 19, 2019
Having watched more than my fair share of Fireman Sam episodes, I would argue that it actually promotes the fire service as a potential future career for young girls. Penny is by far the smartest and most capable of this bunch. The rest are bumbling imbeciles. #firemanSam pic.twitter.com/P7NpdlT5jw
— Gemma Fraser (@GemmaFraser10) March 19, 2019
"Why on earth is Fireman Sam trending?"
*clicks*
FIREMAN SAM IS SEXIST OMG IT- pic.twitter.com/CrKQBVdN6F— Jonathan Ward (@WrittenWard) March 19, 2019
You can laugh at this all you want but in Fireman Sam, Bob the Builder, even Paw Patrol, the female characters are sidekicks. And it's really fucking annoying https://t.co/7ErxufZB9f
— Anita Singh (@anitathetweeter) March 19, 2019
With Fireman Sam now trending on Twitter, it appears this debate is set to rumble on and on.
See More: Children's TV, Fireman Sam, Newsletterl, Peppa Pig, Sexism
